State guide
California
California’s abandoned-vehicle system is split between local enforcement on streets and a DMV-run lien-sale process for vehicles in lawful towing or storage possession. California DMV also states that private parties generally cannot use the lien-sale process unless they are legally in the repair, towing, or storage business.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
- When a vehicle counts as abandoned
- California law allows removal of a vehicle parked on a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours only if a local ordinance authorizes removal, and separately forbids abandoning a vehicle on any highway or on public or private property without consent.
- Removing one from private property
- For private property, towing is governed by Vehicle Code sections 22658 and 22953: signage or a 96-hour notice may be required, certain stripped or inoperable vehicles may be towed 24 hours after notice to local traffic law enforcement, open-to-public no-fee lots generally have a one-hour wait, and the property owner must notify local traffic law enforcement within one hour after authorizing the tow.
- Getting title to an abandoned vehicle
- A private property owner generally does not obtain title directly; the towing or storage lienholder conducts the DMV lien-sale process, using official DMV forms for the applicable value bracket, and the buyer or lienholder then applies through DMV.
- State agency
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
- Official forms or instructions
- Official page →
Official resources in California
California DMV Lien Sales for Vehicles
DMV overview page linking the official lien-sale forms and DMV unit contact information.
California DMV Vehicles Valued at $4,000 or Less
Official DMV instructions for lien sales on lower-value vehicles.
California DMV Vehicles Valued Over $4,000
Official DMV instructions for higher-value or self-service-storage lien sales.
California Vehicle Code Section 22658
Official statute governing many private-property tows, including signs, notices, and law-enforcement notification.
California DMV memo on Private Party Lien Sales
Official DMV memo explaining that private parties generally cannot directly use California’s vehicle lien-sale process.
Key facts for California
- California allows street removal if a vehicle is parked on a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours in violation of a local ordinance.
- California law separately forbids abandoning a vehicle on any highway or on public or private property without the owner’s consent.
- On private property, signs may authorize towing, or a vehicle may be towed after a parking notice and 96 hours.
- A stripped or major-part-missing vehicle on private property may be removed 24 hours after notice to local traffic law enforcement.
- Property owners must notify local traffic law enforcement within one hour after authorizing a private-property tow.
- DMV says private parties generally cannot use the lien-sale process unless they are lawfully in the repair, towing, or storage business.
City abandoned-vehicle reporting in California
| City | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| MyLA311 / LADOT Service Requests Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Not published* | Los Angeles routes abandoned-vehicle service requests through MyLA311 and LADOT service channels. |
| Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Unit San Diego | San Diego | Not published* | San Diego accepts online reports for abandoned or inoperable vehicles and handles both public-street and some private-property abatement issues. |
| Vehicle Abatement Santa Clara | San José | Not published* | San José investigates vehicle concerns on city streets and links residents to 311 reporting and tow-hearing information. |
| Vehicle Abatement Detail Alameda | Oakland | Not published* | Oakland Police handles abandoned vehicles on private property or private streets; public right-of-way complaints go through Oak311. |
| Parking Division Fresno | Fresno | (559) 621-2489 | Fresno’s Parking Division handles abandoned vehicle abatement on public streets and lists the information needed for a report. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- For a vehicle on a public street, use the city’s abandoned-vehicle reporting channel first; California’s 72-hour rule usually depends on local ordinance enforcement.
- If the vehicle is on your property, confirm whether your lot is residential, open to the public, or posted, because California’s tow rules change by property type.
- If a tow company has possession, ask which DMV lien-sale track applies: $4,000 or less, or over $4,000/self-service storage.
Not seeing your city or county?
Not every city publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from California's population center, for comparison only):
- Parking Services online request, Nevada · about 225 miles
- Traffic Bureau online request, Nevada · about 235 miles
- Contact City, Nevada · about 235 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.California DMV Lien Sales for Vehicles
Website →Phone: (916) 657-7617 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the California page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.