Southampton Village, NY Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Article V of Chapter 82 of the Southampton Village Code, adopted December 12, 2002 as Local Law No. 8-2002, deals with junk vehicles on private land. Section 82-24 defines a junk motor vehicle as any motor vehicle which is in an abandoned, discarded, dismantled, partly dismantled, junked, wrecked or similar unsightly condition.

Section 82-25 then sets two prohibitions with the same exit. Subsection A makes it unlawful to park, store, place or maintain a junk motor vehicle upon any private property within the village unless it is in a completely enclosed building. Subsection B reaches the property owner: it is unlawful to cause, permit or allow a junk motor vehicle to be parked, stored, placed or maintained on private property unless it is in a completely enclosed building. A carport, a tarp or an open yard does not satisfy the text. Subsection C exempts a motor vehicle temporarily stored on premises lawfully used for a motor vehicle service station or motor vehicle repair shop use in compliance with the Village Zoning Code.

Vehicles the Village itself takes into custody fall under Chapter 112. Under § 112-1 a vehicle towed away from a public or private place because it was improperly or illegally there is an impounded vehicle, and it is deemed abandoned if not claimed by its owner within 10 days. If it has no number plates and a wholesale value of $250 or less, title vests in the Village immediately under § 112-2. Otherwise the Village inquires about the last owner and notifies that owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, that an unclaimed vehicle will be sold at public auction after 10 days (§ 112-3). Sale proceeds, less Village expenses, are held for the owner for five years under § 112-5, and § 112-6 makes the last owner liable for removal and storage costs.