Westerville, OH Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Public Time
- 48 hours
- Private Time
- 72 hours without consent
- State Law
- ORC 4513.60
- Reclaim
- 30 days before auction
Summary
Westerville defines an abandoned vehicle as one left on public property over 48 hours or on private property over 72 hours without owner consent, under ORC 4513.60 and CO 351.15. Junk vehicles (unlicensed, inoperable) in residential driveways are prohibited and subject to tow after 7-day notice.
Section 4513.60 | Vehicle left on private residential or private agricultural property without the permission of person having right to possession of property. (A)(1) The sheriff of a county or chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, or township or joint police district, within the sheriff's or chief's respective territorial jurisdiction, upon complaint of any person adversely affected, may order into storage any motor vehicle, other than an abandoned junk motor vehicle as defined in section 4513.63 of the Revised Code, that has been left on private residential or private agricultural property for at least four hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property. The sheriff or chief, upon complaint of a repair garage or place of storage, may order into storage any motor vehicle, other than an abandoned junk motor vehicle, that has been left at the garage or place of storage for a longer period than that agreed upon. When ordering a motor vehicle into storage pursuant to this division, a sheriff or chief may arrange for the removal of the motor vehicle by a towing service and shall designate a storage facility.
(2) A towing service towing a motor vehicle under division (A)(1) of this section shall remove the motor vehicle in accordance with that division. The towing service shall deliver the motor vehicle to the location designated by the sheriff or chief not more than two hours after the time it is removed from the private property, unless the towing service is unable to deliver the motor vehicle within two hours due to an uncontrollable force, natural disaster, or other event that is not within the power of the towing service.
(4) As used in this section, "private residential property" means private property on which is located one or more structures that are used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one or more persons, if no more than three separate households are maintained in the structure or structures.
Full Breakdown
Westerville Police enforce abandoned vehicle law under Ohio Revised Code 4513.60 and local CO 351.15. Vehicles left on streets beyond 48 hours may be tagged and towed to an impound lot. On private property, a junk vehicle (lacking current plates, flat tires, missing parts, or clearly inoperable) visible from the street must be removed or fully enclosed within 7 days of notice. Owners have 30 days to reclaim towed vehicles by paying tow (around 150 dollars) and daily storage (25 dollars per day). Unclaimed vehicles are auctioned or salvaged.
Violations & Fines
Abandoned on street: tow plus impound fees (150+ dollars) plus 100 dollar citation. Junk vehicle on private property: 100 dollars per day after 7-day cure period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a car sit on the street without moving?
Can I keep an inoperable car in my driveway?
Sources & Official References
- [1]ORC 4513.60
Other rules in Westerville
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Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Franklin County handle abandoned vehicles.