Temecula, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Time limit
- 10 days before a vehicle is a nuisance
- Enforcing official
- Building official or designee
- Notice method
- Certified or registered mail
- Hearing request window
- 10 days after notice mailed
- Appeal window
- 10 days to city clerk
- 3rd violation penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 6 months jail
Summary
Temecula bans keeping an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle on private or public property for more than ten days. The building official abates violations as a public nuisance, and repeat offenders face escalating criminal fines under Chapter 10.32 of the Municipal Code.
It is unlawful for any person to abandon, park, store, leave or permit the abandonment, parking, storing or leaving of any licensed or unlicensed vehicle or part thereof which is in an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative condition upon any private or public property within the city for a period in excess of ten days unless such vehicle is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer or county-approved junkyard. Any individual violating any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction offense and punished by a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars for a second violation of the same site and perpetrated by the same individual. The third and any additional violation on the same site and perpetrated by the same individual shall constitute a misdemeanor offense and shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or six months in jail, or both such fine and jail term.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862229; v11 updated 2026-04-14).
Full Breakdown
010). 020). 030). 050). 070). 080). 130).
Violations & Fines
A second violation at the same site by the same person is an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $200. A third or subsequent violation at that site becomes a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both (Section 10.32.160(B)). The city attorney may separately sue to abate the nuisance and recover administrative and attorney's fees (Section 10.32.170), and criminal conviction does not excuse the owner from still removing the vehicle (Section 10.32.180).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can an inoperative car sit in my Temecula driveway?
Who enforces Temecula's abandoned vehicle rules?
Can I contest an order to remove my vehicle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Temecula
California rules heatmap·Compare Temecula to another location·View the California parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle abandoned vehicles.