Ulster County, NY Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1224 defines an abandoned vehicle as one left on a public highway 6+ hours without license plates, or 48+ hours in any manner obstructing traffic, or 96+ hours elsewhere on public property — though local laws typically tighten these thresholds. City of Kingston §280-15 allows tagging and towing after 48 hours and removal to an impound yard at owner expense ($200+ tow, $30+/day storage). Town of New Paltz Chapter 155 treats unregistered vehicles on public streets as abandoned after 72 hours. On private property, most Ulster County municipal property maintenance codes (e.g., Kingston Chapter 267, Saugerties Chapter 211, Woodstock Chapter 213) deem unregistered, uninspected, or inoperable (junk) vehicles a public nuisance, limiting owners to 1 unregistered vehicle for personal repair for up to 30-60 days or requiring storage in a fully enclosed garage. NY VTL §1224(5) provides abandoned vehicle title procedure via DMV Form MV-907A for towers/municipalities. Junkyard operation (3+ inoperable vehicles) requires NYS DEC permit and local junkyard license under General Municipal Law §136. Recycling end-of-life vehicles follows NY Vehicle Dismantler licensing (VTL §415).