What is the On-Street Vehicle Abatement Program?

Sacramento County has adopted an ordinance to abate (remove) vehicles which have been deemed a public nuisance. Nuisance vehicles include abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, unregistered (in excess of six months), and unmoved (for more than 72 hours) vehicles. 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)

Why Does the County Remove Vehicles?

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, and 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)

What is an Abandoned Vehicle?

Abandoned is the status of a vehicle when 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)

What is a Dismantled Vehicle?

Dismantled shall mean the condition of a vehicle which 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)

What is an Inoperative Vehicle?

Inoperative refers to the condition of a vehicle which is physically incapable of working, functioning, or otherwise operating.
(See Section 6.56.130 of the Sacramento County Code)

What is a Wrecked Vehicle?

A wrecked vehicle 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)

What is the 72-Hour Parking Rule?

No person shall park or store a vehicle upon any highway or alley for more than seventy-two consecutive hours, or move and re-park such vehicle on any highway within three hundred feet of the original parking site, unless such vehicle is maintained in an operable condition and was actually driven. 
(See Section 10.24.070 of the Sacramento County Code)

Sacramento County Abatement Procedures

1. A complaint is received.

2. 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, or appears to have been parked for 72 hours, the vehicle is posted with a notice of intent to abate.

d. Upon re-inspection,

i. If the vehicle is brought into voluntary compliance, the case is closed.

ii. If the vehicle has not been brought into compliance, the vehicle may be towed and fees imposed.

e. If the vehicle poses a threat to safety, the vehicle can be immediately towed.