Sonoma, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- What's covered
- Abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperative vehicles (SMC § 10.73.010)
- Where
- Private or public property, not highways
- Notice period
- 10 days by certified mail (SMC § 10.73.090)
- Removal timeline
- 5-15 days after nuisance order (SMC § 10.73.120)
- Unpaid cost consequence
- Lien/special assessment on the land (SMC § 10.73.140)
- Exempt
- Vehicles enclosed in a building, or at a licensed dismantler/dealer (SMC § 10.73.030)
Summary
The City of Sonoma treats an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle left on private or public property, not including highways, as a public nuisance under Sonoma Municipal Code § 10.73.010, adopted under the authority of state Vehicle Code § 22660. The city abates and removes such vehicles through a formal notice-and-hearing process.
In addition and in accordance with the determination made and the authority granted by the state of California under Section 22660 of the Vehicle Code to remove abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof as public nuisances, the city council makes the following findings and declarations: ... the presence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle or parts thereof, on private or public property not including highways, except as expressly permitted by this chapter, is declared to constitute a public nuisance which may be abated as such in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025).
Full Breakdown
030 keep this from reaching every inoperative car: vehicles fully enclosed in a building and not visible from the street, and vehicles lawfully stored or parked in connection with a licensed dismantler's, dealer's or junk dealer's business. 050. 090 requires a 10-day notice of intention to abate, mailed by registered or certified mail to both the landowner and the vehicle's registered or legal owner, using the exact notice forms set out in that section. 100, and a landowner who submits a sworn statement denying responsibility for the vehicle is treated as having requested a hearing without needing to appear.
110 are not bound by technical rules of evidence, and if the vehicle was placed on the land without the owner's consent and the owner never acquiesced, the city cannot assess removal or administrative costs against that landowner. 130 requires notifying the DMV within five days of removal. Current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 10.73 is a civil abatement scheme rather than a fine-based offense. Under § 10.73.140, if administrative and removal costs go unpaid within 30 days of the abatement order, or the resolution of any appeal, the city assesses those costs against the parcel of land under Government Code § 38773.5, collected with the same priority as other city taxes, effectively becoming a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an abandoned vehicle nuisance under Sonoma's code?
How much notice does the City of Sonoma give before removing a nuisance vehicle?
Can I fight a nuisance vehicle removal order in Sonoma?
What if the towing and administrative costs go unpaid?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma
California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sonoma County handle abandoned vehicles.