Simpsonville, SC Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Abandoned-vehicle enforcement in Greenville County is split by the location of the vehicle. On any street, highway, or other public right-of-way in the unincorporated county, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office (864.467.5280) takes vehicles into custody under the procedures set out in Chapter 9, Division 4 of the Greenville County Code (Abandoned Motor Vehicles on Public Rights-of-Way). The Greenville County definition mirrors South Carolina practice: a vehicle is 'abandoned' if it is not in working order, lacks current legal registration, or lacks equipment required to operate (i.e., is dismantled).

Greenville County Code § 9-145 requires that within 15 days after taking an abandoned vehicle into custody, the Sheriff notify the last known registered owner and all lienholders of record by registered mail, return receipt requested. If the registered owner or lienholders cannot be identified or located, notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the vehicle was abandoned satisfies the notice requirement. South Carolina Code § 56-5-5630 sets the parallel statewide standard, including the required notice content and the 30-day window after notice in which the owner or lienholder may reclaim the vehicle on payment of towing, storage, and notice costs.

Under Greenville County Code § 9-146, if an abandoned vehicle has not been reclaimed, the Sheriff sells it at public auction. Proceeds first reimburse towing, preservation, storage, notice, and publication costs; any remainder is held for the owner or lienholder for 90 days and, if unclaimed, deposited in the Greenville County general fund.

On private property, the Greenville County Code Enforcement Division (864.467.7090) enforces the County's property-maintenance standards: the property owner is notified to remove the vehicle, place it inside a completely enclosed building, or restore it by obtaining current registration tags and making it operable.