West New York, NJ Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Chapter 381 has two articles. Article I, adopted 6-15-1966 as Ord. No. 954, defines an abandoned motor vehicle as one stationary and unused on the public street or highway for more than three days consecutively. Continuous parking for three days is prima facie evidence of abandonment and gives a member of the Police Department reasonable grounds to believe the vehicle has been abandoned. Section 381-2 states the policy: prevent the unsightly and unsafe condition on public streets that results from abandonment. Under § 381-4 the Police Department takes possession and removes the vehicle to a storage place designated by the Chief of Police, and § 381-5 sends it to public auction under Title 39, Chapter 10A of the Revised Statutes of New Jersey.

Article II, adopted 7-5-1967 as Ord. No. 980, adds impoundment rules. Section 381-7 defines abandoned motor vehicles as vehicles left unattended for 48 hours or more on any street, lane, alley or other public place. Under § 381-8 the Police Director or Commissioner can take possession of vehicles abandoned or parked in violation of Town ordinances. Under § 381-9 the owner pays a fee of not less than $250 for removal and storage up to 24 hours, plus not less than $10 for each day or fractional part after that. A non-resident owner also posts a $10 deposit as collateral. The Chief of Police must notify the registered owner in writing, by personal service or registered mail, of the removal, the reason and the storage location. Under § 381-10, once the Police Department has held a vehicle for 30 days and the notice has issued, it is deemed abandoned and can be sold under N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1 through 39:10A-7.

For private land, Chapter 391 separately bars repair or storage of a vehicle on any open lot under § 391-2, with a presumption of storage when a vehicle is not removed for at least eight consecutive hours within any period of 72 consecutive hours.