West Virginia Statewide Rule
Abandoned Vehicle Removal Under West Virginia State Law
Key Facts
- Statute
- WV Code §17-24A
- Public property
- Abandoned after 5 days
- Private property
- 48 hours without consent
- Custody notice
- Within 15 days, certified mail
- Reclaim window
- 10 days after notice
Summary
West Virginia Code §17-24A governs abandoned motor vehicles. A vehicle is 'abandoned' after five days on public property, or after 48 hours on private property without the owner's consent. Enforcement agencies must give certified-mail notice before removal, titling, or disposal.
(a) No person may, within this state, abandon a motor vehicle or major part thereof upon the right-of-way of any public highway, upon any other public property or upon any private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property, or upon property owned or controlled by that person, unless it be at a licensed salvage yard or at the business establishment of a demolisher, or a business licensed to do business in the State of West Virginia and not in the primary business of offering motor vehicles or parts thereof for sale. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced and fined as set forth below.
Full Breakdown
W. Va. Code §17-24A defines an abandoned motor vehicle as one left inoperative on public property for more than five days, or left on private property for more than 48 hours without the owner's consent. Before removing a vehicle from private property, the enforcement agency must give the property owner and the vehicle owner 30 days' notice by certified mail. After taking custody, the agency must notify the last registered owner and any lienholders within 15 days, and the owner may reclaim the vehicle within 10 days of that notice by paying towing and storage charges. Unclaimed vehicles may be sold or scrapped, with titles processed through the DMV.
Violations & Penalties
Owners face towing fees, storage charges, administrative fines, and potential loss of vehicle title if they fail to respond to notice within statutory periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a city tow my car faster than state law allows?
How do I reclaim a towed abandoned vehicle?
Sources
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