San Mateo County, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Time limit
- More than 10 days (Ord. 7.60.140)
- Applies to
- Public and private property, licensed or unlicensed
- Penalty
- Infraction (Sec. 7.60.140)
- Enclosed exception
- Fully inside a building, not visible
- State authority
- CA Vehicle Code 22660 (county abatement)
Summary
Under County Ordinance Code Chapter 7.60, it is unlawful and an infraction to abandon, park, store, or leave any abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle on public or private property for more than ten days unless fully enclosed in a building. The County adopts this abatement authority under California Vehicle Code Section 22660, and Section 7.60.140 makes violation an infraction.
22651. A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which the officer or employee may act, under the following circumstances: (a) If a vehicle is left unattended upon a bridge, viaduct, or causeway or in a tube or tunnel where the vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic. (b) If a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway in a position so as to obs
Full Breakdown
60 of its Ordinance Code, which applies in the unincorporated area. 140 ("Infraction") provides that it is unlawful and an infraction to leave or permit the abandonment, parking, storing, or leaving of any licensed or unlicensed vehicle or parts of a vehicle that is in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative condition upon any private or public property for a period in excess of ten days, unless the vehicle or parts are completely enclosed within a building where they are not plainly visible from the street or other property, or are kept in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer, or junkyard.
The same section makes it an infraction to fail or refuse to remove such a vehicle, or to refuse to abate the nuisance, when ordered to do so under the chapter's abatement provisions or applicable state law. The County's authority to abate and remove these vehicles as public nuisances, and to recover removal costs, comes from California Vehicle Code Section 22660, which lets a county adopt an ordinance for the abatement and removal of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles. The County Code Compliance Section and the Sheriff's Office enforce these rules; on streets, the state 72-hour standard (California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k)) also applies to vehicles that have not moved.
Violations & Fines
Leaving an inoperative or wrecked vehicle (or vehicle parts) on public or private property for more than ten days, when not enclosed in a building or part of a licensed dismantler/dealer/junkyard business, is an infraction under Section 7.60.140. Refusing to remove or abate after a County order is a separate infraction; the County can abate and recover costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can an inoperable car sit on a property in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Who do I contact about an abandoned vehicle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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