Walton County, GA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Time limit
- 7 days
- Applies to
- Property and adjacent right-of-way
- Exception 1
- Fully enclosed in a building, residential zone
- Exception 2
- Active repair in an authorized zoning district
- Exception 3
- Licensed junk or salvage yard
- Ordinance date
- Nov. 5, 2024 (Ord. OA24060019-19)
Summary
Unincorporated Walton County bans keeping an abandoned junk vehicle on any property or adjacent right-of-way for more than seven days. Exceptions exist for vehicles fully enclosed in a building, vehicles being actively repaired in an authorized zoning district, and licensed junk or salvage yards.
Section 7-2-150 - Abandoned, Wrecked, Dismantled or Discarded Vehicles No person in charge or control of any property within the County, whether as owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or otherwise, shall allow any abandoned "junk" vehicle to remain on such property or adjacent right-of-way longer than seven (7) days.
Exceptions:
1.Junk vehicles which are kept within a fully enclosed building on property in residential zoning districts.2.Junk vehicles which are kept on property in zoning districts authorized by this Ordinance for repairing, reconditioning, or remodeling junk vehicles and provided that such junk vehicles are not stored for the purpose of salvage of parts but are in the continual process of repair, reconditioning or remodeling within a fully enclosed building.3.Junk vehicles which are kept on property in zoning districts as authorized by this Ordinance for a junk or salvage yard.
Full Breakdown
Section 7-2-150 of the Walton County Land Development Ordinance, adopted November 5, 2024, makes it unlawful for any owner, tenant, occupant or lessee in charge of property in the county to allow an abandoned junk vehicle to sit on that property, or on the adjacent right-of-way, for longer than seven days. The rule applies broadly across unincorporated Walton County and is not limited to residential zones. Three exceptions carve out legitimate uses: a junk vehicle kept fully enclosed inside a building on residentially zoned property; a junk vehicle kept on property zoned for repairing, reconditioning or remodeling junk vehicles, provided it is in continual, active repair inside a fully enclosed building rather than stored for parts salvage; and vehicles kept on property zoned and authorized for a junk or salvage yard.
The seven-day clock effectively forces most residents to either move a disabled or abandoned car indoors, get it back into working order, or have it towed before code enforcement acts. Because this section sits in the Land Development Ordinance rather than the general vehicle code, it is administered by Walton County's Planning and Development Department as part of property maintenance and zoning compliance, working alongside code enforcement staff who respond to complaints about junk vehicles left in yards, driveways or along county roads.
Violations & Fines
A property owner who leaves an abandoned junk vehicle on-site or on the adjacent right-of-way past the seven-day limit, without qualifying for one of the three exceptions, is in violation of Section 7-2-150. The Planning and Development Department can pursue the matter as a zoning and land development violation, and enforcement can extend to ordering removal of the vehicle from the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a junk vehicle sit on my property in unincorporated Walton County?
Can I keep a junk car in my garage indefinitely in Walton County?
Does the junk vehicle rule apply to cars parked on the road next to my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Walton County
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