Santa Rosa, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

010 finds that accumulating abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles or parts creates a condition tending to reduce property value, promote blight and deterioration, invite plundering, create fire hazards, constitute an attractive nuisance, and create a harborage for rodents and insects, declaring such a vehicle a public nuisance abatable under the chapter. 160 sets the operative trigger: no one may abandon, park, store or leave an inoperable licensed or unlicensed vehicle or parts on private or public property, including highways, for more than 72 consecutive hours.

030 exempts vehicles completely enclosed inside a building and not visible from the street, and vehicles lawfully stored on private property in connection with a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer or permitted junkyard. 050, who may enter private or public property to inspect a vehicle, identify it, and order or carry out removal. 090 requires a 10-day notice of intent to abate, mailed by registered or certified mail to both the landowner of record and the vehicle's last registered and legal owner; either may request a public hearing within that 10-day window or submit a sworn statement denying responsibility. 080, against the landowner.