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Michigan Statewide Rule

Michigan Abandoned Vehicle Removal And Disposal Law

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Michigan (2026)

Key Facts

Public property threshold
48 hours unattended
Notice mechanism
Secretary of State LEIN entry
Hearing right
Owner may contest in district court
Statute
MCL 257.252a et seq.
Last verified: August 20, 2026Source: Michigan Legislature

Summary

Michigan's Vehicle Code establishes uniform statewide procedures for declaring, towing, and disposing of abandoned vehicles, preempting most local rules.

257.252a Abandoned vehicle; presumption of responsibility; violation; penalty; "abandoned vehicle" defined; notice; duties of police agency; contest by owner; hearing; request; fee; towing and storage charges; secured party; obtaining release of vehicle; inspection; public sale; inability to determine ownership of abandoned vehicle; entry into law enforcement information network. Sec. 252a. (1) A person shall not abandon a vehicle in this state. It is presumed that the last titled owner of the vehicle is responsible for abandoning the vehicle unless the person provides a record of the sale as that term is defined in section 240. A person who violates this subsection and who fails to redeem the vehicle before disposition of the vehicle under section 252g is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of $50.00. (2) As used in this section and sections 252b through 252l, "abandoned vehicle" means any of the following: (a) A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner. (b) A vehicle that has remained on public property for a period of not less than 48 hours, or on a state trunk line highway as described in section 1 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.651, as follows: (i) If a valid registration plate is affixed to the vehicle, for a period of not less than 18 hours. (ii) If a valid registration plate is not affixed to the vehicle. (c) A vehicle, other than a late-model vehicle, to which all of the following apply:

Source: Michigan LegislatureView official code

Full Breakdown

Under MCL 257.252a-257.252l, a vehicle is abandoned if left on public property over 48 hours or on private property without consent. Police must enter the vehicle into LEIN, send a notice to the registered owner via the Secretary of State, and follow statutory redemption timelines before custodians may auction or scrap it. Local governments may enforce these procedures but cannot shorten the statutory notice period or bypass the state-mandated hearing rights.

Violations & Penalties

Improper disposal exposes towing companies and municipalities to civil liability and statutory damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Michigan city impound a car after only 24 hours?
Not as abandoned. Cities may ticket parking violations sooner, but the statutory abandoned-vehicle process requires 48 hours on public property under MCL 257.252a.
How does an owner reclaim a towed vehicle?
The owner must contact the listed custodian, pay accrued towing and storage fees, or request a redemption hearing in district court within 20 days of the mailed notice.

Sources

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