MGL ch. 90 §22C defines abandoned vehicles. Bristol County cities tag and tow after 72 hours on public streets. Private property storage of junk vehicles prohibited under local blight ordinances — must be registered and operable or enclosed.
Massachusetts state law (MGL ch. 90 §22C) defines abandonment and authorizes removal of vehicles left on public ways. In Bristol County, Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton tag unregistered or clearly abandoned vehicles on public streets and typically tow after a 72-hour notice. Vehicles on private property must be currently registered and operable, or stored inside a fully enclosed structure or behind an opaque six-foot fence. Junk, derelict, or stripped vehicles trigger nuisance and blight enforcement under local ordinances. Exceptions exist for vehicles under active repair at a licensed Class II or Class III dealer (MGL ch. 140 §58). Any vehicle leaking fluids is also a DEP concern.
Public-way tagging: 72-hour warning, then tow ($150 to $300 tow plus storage). Private-property junk vehicle: $100 to $300 per day until cured, municipal abatement with cost lien.
Taunton, MA
Taunton adopted a comprehensive noise ordinance (Chapter 315) on November 2, 2021, prohibiting preventable and unnecessary noise. Noise that annoys or distur...
Taunton, MA
Taunton restricts construction, demolition, alteration, and repair of buildings to 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM under Chapter 315. Work outside these hours requires a ...
Taunton, MA
Taunton's noise ordinance Chapter 315 prohibits keeping any animal or bird that causes frequent or long-continued sounds plainly audible within a noise-sensi...
Taunton, MA
Taunton requires a permit for fence installation per the city's Permit FAQ. Applications are submitted to the Planning Department per §440-711. Fences must n...
Taunton, MA
Massachusetts law under MGL Ch. 49 §21 prohibits spite fences over 6 feet erected maliciously. Massachusetts has no shared-cost statute. Taunton requires fen...
Taunton, MA
Taunton's zoning ordinance Chapter 440 defines fences of 7 feet or less as not constituting a 'building,' meaning they are generally exempt from building reg...
See how Taunton's abandoned vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
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