Santa Clara tows abandoned vehicles after 72 hours under CVC 22651(k) and participates in the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program for private property.
Santa Clara Police investigate abandoned vehicle complaints, marking vehicles and issuing 72-hour notices before towing under CVC 22651(k) and CVC 22669 authority. Vehicles on private property that are inoperable, unregistered, or wrecked can be abated through the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program, which reimburses the city and provides tow services after proper notice to the owner. Property owners have 10 days after notice to remove or repair vehicles on their land before the county tows at their cost. Vehicles stored behind fences or inside garages are generally exempt as long as they are not visible from public rights-of-way. Reporting is through the police non-emergency line or city app.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle abandoned vehicles.
See how Santa Clara's abandoned vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
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