Under Va. Code section 46.2-1200 and Virginia Beach City Code Chapter 21, a vehicle is considered abandoned if left on public property for more than 48 hours without a current registration or in a condition indicating no intent to reclaim, or on private property without the owner's consent for 10 days. Inoperable vehicles stored in residential yards must be shielded from view or kept inside a structure. The city can tow abandoned vehicles after a 48-hour warning tag and assess storage fees. Unpaid tow and storage costs become a lien on the title.
Virginia law and Virginia Beach ordinance define abandoned motor vehicles through two parallel tracks. On public property, Va. Code section 46.2-1200.1 and City Code section 21-389 authorize the police or code enforcement to mark any vehicle that appears to be junked, disassembled, or without current license plates and valid registration as abandoned. A 48-hour warning tag is attached; if the vehicle is not moved or made compliant, it is towed to the city contract storage lot. The owner must pay towing (currently around $150-$200), storage fees ($35-$50 per day), and any outstanding tickets before release. If unclaimed within 30 days, the vehicle goes to Department of Motor Vehicles non-repairable or salvage auction under Va. Code section 46.2-1202. On private residential property, inoperable vehicles (any vehicle without a current license plate and inspection sticker or that cannot run under its own power) are limited to one per parcel and must be (1) inside a garage or (2) shielded from public view by a 6-foot-minimum fence or evergreen landscaping. More than one inoperable vehicle, or unscreened storage, is a Class 4 misdemeanor (up to $250 fine) under VB City Code section 23-58. Code enforcement issues a 10-day compliance notice; failure to comply authorizes the city to tow at owner expense and place a lien on the property for unpaid costs. Recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers with current registration are exempt from inoperable vehicle rules but still must comply with residential storage screening and setback rules. Owners whose vehicles have been impounded can check the Virginia Beach Police impound lookup or call the non-emergency line for location.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Virginia Beach code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach City Code Sec. 23-69 caps sound entering another residential dwelling at 55 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and 65 dBA between 7:00 a.m....
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Po...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA and condo covenant...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from HOA and condo cov...
Virginia Beach, VA
Outdoor kitchens in Virginia Beach require separate trade permits from Permits and Inspections: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit fo...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit b...
See how Virginia Beach's abandoned vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.