If you see a vehicle that appears to have been abandoned in Sacramento County, whether on a public road or private property, please report by calling 3-1-1 (or 916-875-4311), so that Code Enforcement can investigate.
On-Street Vehicle Abatement
By ordinance, Sacramento County Code Enforcement removes (abates) vehicles that are a public nuisance. Nuisance vehicles include abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, unregistered (in excess of six months), and unmoved (for more than 72 hours) vehicles.
Note: Code Enforcement does not enforce parking laws and will not remove a car solely because it has been parked in the same spot for more than 72 hours. Please report parking violations to the Sacramento Sheriff Parking Enforcement Division, 916-874-5115, including: parking in excess of 72 hours; parking in front of a fire hydrant; parking the wrong way; and blocking a driveway.
If you reported an abandoned vehicle and it has not been moved after more than two weeks, it was likely investigated and found not to be abandoned; i.e., someone demonstrated interest in that car. It should not be re-reported as abandoned, but referred to the Sacramento Sheriff Parking Enforcement Division, 916-874-5115, for possible parking violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The presence, accumulation and storage of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles, creates conditions likely to reduce the value of real property in the area, promotes blight and deterioration, attracts crime, creates fire hazards and harborage for rodents and insects, and is injurious to the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare. (See Section 6.56.010 of the Sacramento County Code).
The California Vehicle Code allows county governments to establish procedures for the abatement and removal of vehicles, or parts thereof, from the public right-of-way.
It also allows for the recovery of costs associated with vehicle abatement. (See Sacramento County Code section 6.18.601 & 10.24.070 and Section 22660 of the California Vehicle Code).
The vehicle owner has ceased to assert or exercise any interest, right or title to such vehicle. (See Section 6.56.110 of the Sacramento County Code).
A vehicle that has been taken apart, or disassembled into pieces, and/or stripped, or otherwise deprived of any of its integral parts or equipment. (See Section 6.56.120 of the Sacramento County Code).
A vehicle that is physically incapable of working, functioning, or otherwise operating. (See Section 6.56.130 of the Sacramento County Code).
Consists of disordered or broken remains, or which has been brought to a physically impaired or unsound condition, or other ruinous state by reason of collision, crash or other forceful impact. (See Section 6.56.140 of the Sacramento County Code).
- A complaint is received.
- An Officer responds to investigate the complaint:
A. If there is no violation, the case is closed.
B. If the vehicle is gone on arrival, the case is closed.
C. If the vehicle is abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, unregistered, and appears to have been parked in excess of 72 hours, the vehicle is posted with a notice of intent to abate.
- Upon re-inspection:
A. If the vehicle is brought into voluntary compliance (i.e. has been repaired so that it is operable or has been registered and driven), the case is closed.
B. If the vehicle has not been brought into compliance, the vehicle may be towed and fees imposed.
*Please Note. If the vehicle poses a threat to safety, the vehicle can be immediately towed.
