Merced County, CA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Abandoned and inoperative vehicles in unincorporated Merced County are regulated under Title 9, Chapter 9.14 of the Merced County Code, the abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle regulations. Any vehicle that is abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative for a period in excess of 10 days is considered a public nuisance subject to abatement and removal. An abandoned vehicle is defined as a vehicle left on private or public property in such inoperable or neglected condition that the owner's intention to relinquish all further rights or interests may be reasonably concluded. The chapter is adopted under California Vehicle Code Section 22660, which authorizes a county to establish procedures for the abatement and removal, as public nuisances, of such vehicles from private or public property and to recover the costs of administration and removal. Section 9.14.060 sets out removal procedures, including notice and the opportunity for the property owner or vehicle owner to request a hearing and to deny responsibility for the vehicle. The Sheriff or designee conducts the public hearing called for in the chapter, and authorized representatives may enter premises to determine violations and identify or remove vehicles. Vehicles on a public highway may instead be removed under Vehicle Code Section 22651.