Scottsdale, AZ Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Prima facie period
- 72 hours unmoved
- Notice to move
- 3 days before violation
- Tow warning
- 6 days before removal
- Base penalty fee
- $15.00 ($30.00 if late)
- Hearing request window
- 10 business days
- Enforcing agency
- Scottsdale Police Department
Summary
Scottsdale bans abandoning a vehicle on any street, highway, road or public property, and treats a vehicle left unmoved for 72 hours in the right-of-way as prima facie abandoned. Police tag the vehicle with written notice giving 3 days to move it or face a violation, and 6 days before towing and storage under City Code Section 17-108.
Abandoned vehicle means any vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer of a type subject to registration under title 28 of Arizona Revised Statutes, sections 28-101 et seq., which has been left within the right-of-way of a highway, road, street or public thoroughfare, or upon public property, without being moved, for an extended period of time. Evidence that a vehicle was left unattended or unmoved for a period of seventy-two (72) hours within the right-of-way of a highway, road, street or other public thoroughfare, or upon public property, shall be prima facie evidence that the vehicle was abandoned. ... No person shall abandon a vehicle upon any street, highway, road, other public thoroughfare or other public property. ... It shall be a civil traffic offense for any person to abandon a vehicle upon any street, highway, road, other public thoroughfare or other public property within the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Under Scottsdale Code of Ordinances Section 17-108, an "abandoned vehicle" is any vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer subject to Arizona Title 28 registration left within a highway, road, street right-of-way or on public property without being moved for an extended period of time, and the code makes a 72-hour period of nonmovement prima facie evidence of abandonment. A police officer or police aide with reasonable grounds to believe a vehicle is abandoned must first post a written notice on the vehicle warning that it will be in violation if not moved within three days, and will be removed and stored if not moved within six days.
Within 48 hours after removal, the police department mails written notice to the registered owner describing the reason for removal, the vehicle's location, and a phone number for information, and advises the owner of the right to request a hearing in writing within ten business days; the department must hold that hearing within 48 hours of the request, excluding weekends and holidays, conducted by an officer who did not order the tow. If the city cannot establish reasonable grounds for the removal at the hearing, it pays the towing and storage costs; otherwise the last registered owner is presumed responsible for the abandonment and liable for the charges, a presumption that can be rebutted with a stolen-vehicle report or documented transfer of title.
Arizona Revised Statutes Sections 28-4801 through 28-4843 govern the actual removal, towing, storage and sale process, and city-owned vehicles parked or stored on public property are exempt from Section 17-108.
Violations & Fines
Abandoning a vehicle under Section 17-108(h) is a civil traffic offense carrying a base penalty fee of $15.00, rising to $30.00 if unpaid within 30 days of the notice of violation, per the fee schedule in Section 17-103(a). Unpaid or unresolved notices lead to a summons and complaint in city court, and three or more violations of the parking article within three years makes a person a habitual offender under Section 17-128, a class 3 misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can an abandoned-looking vehicle sit on a Scottsdale street before it's towed?
Can I get my towed vehicle back without a hearing?
What happens if I never move my abandoned vehicle or pay the fee?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scottsdale
Compare Scottsdale to another location·View the Arizona parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Maricopa County handle abandoned vehicles.