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Schenectady, NY Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Ordinance
City Code Chapter 247
Criminal penalty
Up to $150 and/or 30 days
Civil penalty
$5 to $500
Enforcer
Bureau of Property Management
Admin lien fee
$50 per violation notice

Summary

Storing or depositing a junked, abandoned, or dangerous motor vehicle, or its parts, on any property in Schenectady is unlawful under City Code Chapter 247, unless the vehicle sits inside an enclosed building or a secured, fenced area.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, either as owner, occupant, lessee, agent, tenant, trespasser or otherwise of or on any property within the City of Schenectady, to store or deposit or cause or permit to be stored or deposited a junked, abandoned or dangerous motor vehicle or vehicles, or parts therefrom, in the City of Schenectady except: (1) Within a wholly enclosed building, or in an area enclosed by a secured wall or fence…

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4990798; v11 updated 2026-04-13; through 04-13-2026).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 247 makes it unlawful for any owner, occupant, lessee, tenant, or trespasser to store or deposit a junked, abandoned, or dangerous motor vehicle, or parts from one, anywhere in the city. The only outdoor exceptions are a secured fenced enclosure, a licensed dealer's inventory, or up to 10 vehicles at a filling station or state-licensed repair shop for no more than 30 days. The Bureau of Property Management serves a violation notice and, after appeal rights lapse, refers the matter to Corporation Counsel. Each violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $150, up to 30 days in jail, or a civil penalty of $5 to $500, plus a $50 administrative lien.

Violations & Fines

Each junked, abandoned, or dangerous vehicle kept outdoors is a misdemeanor: a fine up to $150, up to 30 days in jail, or a $5–$500 civil penalty, plus a $50 administrative lien. Each day is a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep an inoperable car in my Schenectady yard?
No. Storing a junked, abandoned, or dangerous vehicle outdoors is unlawful unless it's inside a wholly enclosed building or an area enclosed by a secured wall or fence conforming to zoning.
Does this apply on private property too?
Yes. The ban covers any property in the city: including your own private lot. Owners, occupants, tenants, and even trespassers can all be cited.
Are dealers or repair shops exempt?
Yes, narrowly. A licensed car dealer may store inventory, and a filling station or state-licensed repair shop may keep up to 10 vehicles outdoors for no more than 30 days each.

Sources & Official References

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