San Ramon, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Nuisance trigger
- Abandoned/inoperative vehicle visible over 72 hours
- Advance notice
- 10-day registered-mail notice before abatement
- Enforcing officer
- Chief of Police under § B6-194
- Appeal window
- 5 days to appeal to city council
- Unpaid costs
- Added to the property tax bill
- Key exemption
- Fully enclosed, unseen vehicles are exempt
Summary
San Ramon Municipal Code Chapter VII declares any abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle on private or public property, other than a highway, a public nuisance. The police chief can order it removed after a ten-day notice, and it is unlawful to leave such a vehicle in view for more than seventy-two hours without a qualifying exception.
B6-197. The presence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle or parts thereof, on private or public property not including highways, except as expressly hereinafter permitted, constitutes a public nuisance which may be abated as such in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and code. ... B6-207. It is unlawful for any person to abandon, park, store or leave or permit the abandonment, parking, storing or leaving of any licensed or unlicensed vehicle or part thereof, which is in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative condition upon any private property or public property, not including highways within the city, for a period in excess of seventy-two hours, unless such vehicle or parts thereof is completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not plainly visible from the street or other public or private property, or unless such vehicle is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer or a junkyard.
Full Breakdown
Chapter VII of Division B6 defines an 'inoperative vehicle' as one not capable of being driven on a highway or not currently registered with the DMV, and applies to vehicles on private or public property but not highways. Section B6-197 declares the presence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle or its parts a public nuisance that the chief of police may abate and remove. Before removal, § B6-198 requires a ten-day notice by registered mail to both the landowner and the vehicle's registered owner, giving either the right to request a public hearing or submit a sworn statement denying responsibility.
If no hearing is requested, § B6-201 lets the city abate the vehicle without one; if a hearing is held, § B6-202 lets the hearing officer weigh evidence informally and delay removal or waive costs against a landowner who did not consent to the vehicle's presence. Any interested party can appeal the hearing officer's decision to the city council within five days under § B6-203. Removal costs and administrative fees not paid within thirty days are assessed against the parcel through the property tax bill under § B6-206.
Section B6-207 separately makes it unlawful to abandon, park, store or leave any licensed or unlicensed vehicle in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative condition on private or public property, except highways, for more than seventy-two hours, unless it is fully enclosed in a building out of public view or lawfully stored on a licensed dismantler's, dealer's or junkyard's property. Section B6-192 exempts vehicles connected to a lawfully operating dismantling, dealing or junk business.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a qualifying vehicle exposed for more than seventy-two hours, or failing to remove one after the city orders it abated, is unlawful under §§ B6-207 and B6-208. Beyond a citation, the city can remove the vehicle to a scrap yard or dismantler five to fifteen days after the abatement order, notify the DMV, and bill administrative and removal costs to the landowner through the county tax roll if unpaid within thirty days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can an inoperative vehicle sit in my driveway?
Will the city notify me before towing an abandoned vehicle?
Can I appeal an order to remove my vehicle?
Who pays for towing an abandoned vehicle from my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Ramon
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle abandoned vehicles.