What others are doing

Yuba City Police Lieutenant Jim Runyen said it’s not a new issue, as his department regularly gets calls regarding abandoned vehicles in the city.

“We deal with them when we see them or when they are reported. In addition to vehicle code sections, the city has municipal code violations that help aid in the removal of abandoned vehicles,” Runyen said. “…As far as leaving a broken-down vehicle, it is the owner’s responsibility to remove the vehicle within a few days if it is on the roadways. We will mark vehicles for tow and give the owners several days to remove it before it gets impounded.”

Sutter County Undersheriff Jeff Pierce said the sheriff’s office issues an estimated three notices a month, and rarely does the process result in the vehicle actually being towed.

“We always try to find the owner to resolve vehicles that are abandoned. If we can’t get a hold of the owner we will mark the vehicle for 120-hour tow. If not removed, we will move the vehicle at the owner’s expense,” Pierce said.

The sheriff’s office is only responsible for a portion of the county – in the annexation area of Yuba City and in Live Oak. California Highway Patrol handles all reports in the unincorporated areas, as well as abandoned vehicles on streets and roads in the unincorporated parts of Yuba County.

“We will only tow the abandoned vehicle if it is an immediate hazard. We will typically go check on the vehicle and make sure it’s not an immediate hazard and then put a CHP422 form (vehicle check/parking warning/highway damage report), which we will then notify the vehicle abatement program in the corresponding county,” said Jodie Beck, public information officer for the Yuba-sutter California Highway Patrol.

Beck said both Yuba and Sutter counties have a vehicle abatement program through their code enforcement departments.

Authorities urge community members to contact their respective agencies to report abandoned vehicles. If someone receives a notice and is working on getting the vehicle moved, they are also encouraged to contact authorities to let them know.

“Vehicles parked for prolonged amounts of time without being moved can be considered abandoned vehicles, streets shouldn’t be considered as long-term parking spots for additional vehicles,” Beck said.