Tallahassee, FL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Leon County's rule on abandoned and junked vehicles lives in Chapter 14 (Property Safety and Maintenance), Article III - 'Junk.' Section 14-2 defines a 'junked or abandoned motor vehicle' as a self-propelled vehicle that meets any of several conditions: it has no license tag for the current year; any part, equipment, or piece necessary for its operation is and remains removed for at least 15 days; it sits on another's property without written permission; it violates a zoning law; or its owner cannot be identified after reasonable inquiry. Section 14-31(a) is the core prohibition: no owner or occupant may permit junk or a junked or abandoned motor vehicle to remain in any yard, garden, lawn, open outbuilding, or open area of private property for more than 15 days, except inside an enclosed structure or in connection with a lawfully zoned, licensed business. The Code Compliance FAQ summarizes it: 'All vehicles must be operable and have a valid tag or be properly stored in a completely enclosed structure or it must be removed.' Under Section 14-32, the Code Enforcement Board enforces Section 14-31(a) using the Chapter 6 procedures and Florida Statutes Chapter 162, which require legal notice and due process. The county relies on the owner to remove the vehicle, with no fines unless the Board finds a violation and the owner misses its deadline. Vehicles or property abandoned on public property or rights-of-way, and derelict vessels, are handled under Section 14-31(b) and Florida Statutes Chapter 705 (Section 705.103) - a five-day posted notice, then removal at the owner's expense. The Sheriff's Office (850-606-3300) also takes abandoned-vehicle and illegal-dumping reports.