Sheboygan, WI Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 118-276 covers any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or mobile home on any highway or public or private property in the city. Its triggers include: a vehicle left unattended long enough to reasonably appear abandoned; a disassembled, inoperable, unlicensed, junked or wrecked vehicle stored in the open more than 72 hours after written notice to the property owner and mailing to the vehicle owner; a vehicle left on a highway or public property more than 72 hours after a parking violation notice, once 48 hours have passed since a notice of intent was mailed; an impounded vehicle not reclaimed within 48 hours of notice of removal; and a vehicle left without the property owner permission for more than 48 hours.

Mailed notices must state the intent of the city to remove the vehicle, how to avoid a determination of abandonment, how to reclaim it, and the availability of an informal hearing before the chief of police. A vehicle is unlicensed when it lacks valid registration for the current period or one that expired within the preceding 31 days, and it stays deemed abandoned if moved. Section 118-277 exempts licensed salvage yards and junkyards, certain dealers and repair shops that store customer vehicles no more than 30 days, and vehicles on private property out of ordinary public view.

Under §§ 118-278 and 118-279 the vehicle is impounded and held at least ten days after certified mail notice before sale by sealed bid or auction. Section 118-280 makes the owner responsible for all costs, with $15.00 administrative costs and $7.00 per day storage when a traffic officer performs the removal.