Wicomico County, MD Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 174-5, added June 13, 1991 by Bill No. 1991-8, defines an abandoned vehicle broadly: one inoperable and left unattended on county property or roads for more than 48 hours, one illegally on public property for more than 48 hours, one on public property for more than 48 hours without valid registration plates, one on private property without the owner's consent for more than 48 hours, or one stored or parked in inoperable condition or without valid plates on private property for more than 30 days.

Subsection B(1) declares that no person shall maintain, park, store or leave an abandoned vehicle on private or public property in the county, and declares its presence a public nuisance and danger to public health, safety and welfare that may be abated. An imminent hazard may be removed immediately by the Sheriff's Department without notice; otherwise, § 174-5B(2)(b) requires written notice, delivered or mailed, giving the property owner or occupant 30 days to license, repair, remove or enclose the vehicle, with a copy posted on the vehicle itself and mailed to the vehicle's owner if different.

If the 30 days pass without compliance, the county may tow the vehicle into custody, hold it at least 30 more days, and then sell it if unredeemed, with sale proceeds first covering the county's towing and storage costs. Section 174-5D exempts vehicles enclosed from view, vehicles on properly zoned dealership, junkyard, salvage or repair-business land, and vehicles covered by a Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development permit. That permit, available under § 174-5E for $25, authorizes possession of an abandoned vehicle for up to six months for good cause such as sale, repair or restoration.