There are two categories of abandoned vehicles; those left on City streets, and those sitting on private property. 

 

For vehicles on City streets:

 

"Abandoned vehicle" means any motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer:

(1)   That is inoperable and left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours; or

(2)   That has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours. (MD Vehicle Law, TR §25-201)

 

For vehicles on private property (these are handled by the Division of Code Enforcement for the City of Frederick):

 

(a) An abandoned vehicle is any unlicensed and/or inoperable vehicle which is not in running condition or which is in such a state of disintegration or disrepair as to have no value as a vehicle. A vehicle means any device in, on, or by which any individual or property is or might be transported or towed on a highway and includes, but is not limited to, campers, boats and trailers. In addition, vehicles will be deemed abandoned if any of the following conditions apply:

(1)     The vehicle is declared a nuisance and danger to health, safety and welfare.

 

     (2) The vehicle is deteriorated or in a condition that constitutes a breeding ground for rats, mosquitoes, or other vermin or insects.

 

     (3) The vehicle is rusted, wrecked, dismantled or in a deteriorated condition so as not to be lawfully permitted on public roads.

 

(b) It shall be unlawful and declared a nuisance and a danger to the public for any person to store or maintain or allow to be stored or maintained any abandoned vehicle of any kind, as described in this section, upon any property within the city unless such a vehicle is stored within a completely enclosed garage or building or the body of the vehicle is entirely covered with a vehicle cover, which is in good condition and which is specifically designed for such purposes. However, a vehicle in any condition listed in subsections (a)(1), (2) or (3) above shall not be permitted to be covered. The maximum number of vehicles that may be covered per lot is two (2). This section does not apply to a business operating pursuant to a zoning certificate which permits the storage of vehicles.

 

(c) The owner of the vehicle and/or property owner must remove said abandoned vehicle within ten (10) days of the date of a notice to do so from the director of permits and code management. In the event the owner of the vehicle or of the property shall fail or refuse to comply with such notice, it shall be lawful for the city to remove the same and charge the cost to the owner of the vehicle and/or the property owner. Violation of this section is declared to be a municipal infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed four hundred dollars ($400.00). (Ord. No. G-92-51, § 1, 11-5-92; Ord. No. G-96-33, § 1, 8-15-96)

 

City of Frederick

Division of Code Enforcement

Monday through Friday

301-600-3825