Quick answer: California law makes it illegal to abandon a vehicle on a public road, or on public or private property without the owner’s consent (Vehicle Code 22523). A conviction carries a fine of at least $100 and proof that removal and disposal costs were paid. Officers and designated city or county employees can remove a vehicle they reasonably believe has been abandoned (Vehicle Code 22669), and a car on a public road that is missing an engine, wheels, tires, doors, windshield or other necessary parts can be removed immediately. In the City of Los Angeles, residents can report a vehicle they believe is abandoned through MyLA311.
This guide from the TowCars team covers both sides: how to report a car that seems abandoned on your street, and how to make sure your own car is not treated as abandoned. It is general information, not legal advice.
What counts as “abandoned”?
The Vehicle Code does not give a simple checklist, and whether a car is abandoned is a judgment made by an officer or a designated employee. CVC 22669(a) allows removal when the officer or employee “has reasonable grounds to believe that the vehicle has been abandoned, as determined pursuant to Section 22523.”
In practice, signs that tend to suggest abandonment include a car that has not moved for a long time, flat tires, a layer of dust or debris, expired registration, broken windows, or missing parts. None of those alone is a legal test. A clean, registered car can still be towed under the separate 72-hour rule if it has not moved for three days and a local ordinance allows removal, which we cover in our guide to the 72-hour parking rule in Los Angeles.
Cars missing essential parts
CVC 22669(d) is stricter. Vehicles parked, resting or immobilized on a highway or public right-of-way that lack an engine, transmission, wheels, tires, doors, windshield, or any other part necessary to operate safely are declared a hazard to public health, safety and welfare and “may be removed immediately upon discovery” by a peace officer or designated employee.
Who removes abandoned vehicles
- Peace officers, such as police and CHP officers.
- State, county or city employees designated to do this work by their agency, board of supervisors or city council. If the employee is not a peace officer or part of a sheriff’s or police department, the law says they must first send a written report identifying the vehicle and its location to the nearest CHP office.
- Contracted tow operators working under a franchise or contract with the local agency, after a peace officer or designated employee has determined the car is abandoned.
Many California counties also run Abandoned Vehicle Abatement programs. Those vehicles are handled under separate sections of the code and, as noted below, are excluded from the usual post-storage hearing rule.
How to report an abandoned car in Los Angeles
- Check that it is really a problem. Is the car blocking a driveway or hydrant, or creating a hazard? If so, that is a separate and often faster issue, covered by CVC 22651(b), (d) and (e). If there is an immediate danger, such as a leaking fuel tank or a car blocking traffic, call 911.
- Collect the details. Note the make, model, color, license plate (if any), exact address or cross streets, and how long you have seen it there. A few dated photos help.
- Use the right channel. In the City of Los Angeles, use MyLA311 online or through the app. If you live in another city or an unincorporated area of LA County, check your city’s or the county’s website for its abandoned vehicle reporting process.
- Be patient. Enforcement usually involves an officer checking the vehicle, often marking it or leaving a notice, and returning later. Reporting does not guarantee immediate removal.
- Do not tow it yourself or damage it. A car on a public street is not yours to move. If it is on your private property, see the section below.
When the abandoned car is on your private property
Abandoning a vehicle on private property without the owner’s consent is also illegal under CVC 22523(b). But removing a car from private property follows different rules, mainly Vehicle Code 22658, which sets signage and notice requirements for property owners. Our guide to tow-away sign requirements and apartment lot tows covers the basics. For a single-family home or a small property, contacting your local police or code enforcement is often the simplest route.
Making sure your own car is not treated as abandoned
Every year, plenty of cars that owners have not given up on get towed as abandoned or for being parked too long. Here is how to prevent it:
- Do not use the street for long-term storage. If you are traveling or not using the car, keep it in a driveway, garage, or a lot you are allowed to use.
- Keep the registration current. Expired tags are one of the first things neighbors and officers notice, and registration expired more than six months is itself a reason for removal under CVC 22651(o).
- Fix flat tires and broken windows quickly, or move the car off the street until you can.
- Never leave a car on the street without essential parts. If you are working on a car and the wheels or engine are off, it can be removed immediately under CVC 22669(d).
- Read any notice on the windshield. A warning sticker or notice usually means enforcement has started.
If the car does not run and you are not going to fix it, arranging a tow to a shop, storage, or a buyer is usually much cheaper than a storage yard bill. See our guides to repair or junk, selling a junk car, and what a tow costs.
Costs and consequences if your car is removed as abandoned
Fines and costs
CVC 22523(c) says a person convicted of abandoning a vehicle shall be fined at least $100, none of which can be suspended, and must show proof that the costs of removing and disposing of the vehicle were paid. The court may allow the fine to be paid in installments if the person cannot pay it all at once. Proof of payment of removal costs is not required if the car was stolen before it was abandoned and the owner can show that, for example with a police report.
A cap on removal costs
For vehicles found abandoned and removed under CVC 22669, subdivision 22523(e) says the costs required to be paid for removal and disposition cannot exceed those for towing and seven days of storage, unless the owner returned a Declaration of Opposition form.
Liability after a sale
If a car abandoned on public or private property is not redeemed after impound, CVC 22523(f) says the last registered owner is guilty of an infraction and is liable for any deficiency after the vehicle is disposed of. That liability is avoided if the owner had filed a report of sale or transfer with the DMV, a theft report, or certain other DMV notices. This is a strong reason to report any sale to the DMV promptly and to report a stolen car to police right away.
Post-storage hearings
Normally, when a public agency stores your car, you can request a post-storage hearing under CVC 22852. However, that section does not apply to vehicles handled under the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program, or to abandoned vehicles removed under 22669 that the agency values at $500 or less. If your car was removed as abandoned, ask the agency what review options exist.
If your car was taken and you did not abandon it
- Find it using our impound lot finder or the Los Angeles towing guide.
- Ask which section was used for the removal.
- Gather proof that the car was in use, such as dated photos, receipts, or proof it was moved.
- Redeem the car quickly to limit storage, using the checklist in our impound lot guide.
- Request any available hearing in writing and keep copies.
Key takeaways
- Abandoning a vehicle in California is illegal, with a minimum $100 fine plus removal costs.
- Cars on public roads missing essential parts can be removed immediately.
- In the City of Los Angeles, report suspected abandoned vehicles through MyLA311.
- Keep your own car registered, moved and in good condition, and report any sale to the DMV, to avoid being held liable for an abandoned car.
Prepared by the TowCars team from the official California Vehicle Code text on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov and the City of Los Angeles MyLA311 service. This is general information, not legal advice.
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