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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Key Facts

Nuisance declaration
County Code § 6.56.010
State authority
California Vehicle Code § 22660
On-street trigger
Parked over 72 hours (County Code § 10.24.070)
Abatement process
72-hour notice of intent to abate, then tow
Authority
Sacramento County Code Enforcement (unincorporated)

Summary

Sacramento County Code Chapter 6.56 declares abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles a public nuisance, authorizing abatement and removal under California Vehicle Code Section 22660. On the street, a vehicle left over 72 hours (County Code § 10.24.070) is treated as abandoned. Code Enforcement posts a notice of intent to abate before removal.

City-specific rules exist: Citrus Heights, Galt, Florin, Folsom, Elk Grove, and Sacramento have their own abandoned vehicles rules that differ from Sacramento County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a city, county, or city and county may adopt an ordinance establishing procedures for the abatement and removal, as public nuisances, of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof from private or public property, and for the recovery, pursuant to Section 25845 or 38773.5 of the Government Code, or assumption by the local authority, of costs of administration and the removal.

Full Breakdown

56 sets out the County's authority to abate abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles. 010 declares that the accumulation and storage of such vehicles reduces property values, promotes blight, attracts crime, creates fire hazards, and harbors rodents and insects, making it a public nuisance. This abatement authority is grounded in California Vehicle Code Section 22660, which allows counties to establish procedures for removing such vehicles and recovering costs. The County Code Enforcement Division's process: a vehicle that appears abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, unregistered, or parked in excess of 72 hours is posted with a 72-hour notice of intent to abate; if the owner does not voluntarily correct the problem, the vehicle is towed and fees may be imposed.

Nuisance vehicles include those that are abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, unregistered for more than six months, or unmoved for more than 72 hours. 070 makes a vehicle eligible for abatement. Residents can report suspected abandoned vehicles to the County (via 311 or the Code Enforcement vehicle-abatement program); on-street parking-only violations are referred to the Sheriff's parking enforcement.

Violations & Fines

Owners of abated vehicles are responsible for towing and abatement costs and may have liens or fees imposed. Storing a junk/inoperative vehicle on private property outside a fully enclosed building (with narrow parcel-size exceptions) is itself a separate Zoning Code violation subject to Code Enforcement action.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a vehicle considered abandoned in Sacramento County?
Nuisance/abandoned vehicles include those that are wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, unregistered for more than six months, or unmoved on a roadway for more than 72 hours. County Code Chapter 6.56 and California Vehicle Code Section 22660 authorize the County to abate and remove them.
What happens after a vehicle is reported?
Code Enforcement posts a 72-hour notice of intent to abate. If the issue isn't voluntarily corrected, the vehicle is towed and the owner may be charged abatement and towing fees.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sacramento County

All Sacramento County rules

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