Division 14. Abandoned Vehicles
Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.
Division 14. Abandoned Vehicles
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 26-162 (2026)
Sec. 26-162. Abandoned vehicles prohibitedLinkCopy Citation
(a)
No person shall leave any abandoned vehicle at any place within the County and no owner, lessee, or custodian in charge of any lot, field, road, street, lane, or other property shall permit any abandoned vehicle to remain on such property within the County.
(b)
Abandoned vehicle means any motor vehicle, trailer, watercraft, or semitrailer:
(1)
That is either inoperable or in disrepair and left unattended on public property for more than forty-eight (48) hours;
(2)
That has remained illegally on public property for more than forty-eight (48) hours;
(3)
That has remained on public property for more than forty-eight (48) hours; and
(A)
Is not displaying currently valid registration plates; and/or
(B)
Is displaying registration plates of another vehicle; and/or
(C)
Is in violation of Section 26-122.01 of this Subtitle;
(4)
That has remained on private property for more than forty-eight (48) hours; and
(A)
Is inoperable in that one or more of its major mechanical components, including but not limited to engine, transmission, drive train, and wheels, is missing or not functional unless such vehicle is kept in an enclosed building or as permitted by Subtitle 13 or Subtitle 27 of the Code; or
(B)
Is not displaying currently valid registration plates; or
(C)
Is displaying registration plates of another vehicle.
(c)
Any partially dismantled, wrecked, or junked motor vehicle or watercraft may be presumed to have been or be abandoned.
(d)
Any person issued a citation for a violation of Section 26-162(a) shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) for a first violation, five hundred dollars ($500) for a second violation and one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each additional violation.
(e)
Curbstoning, as defined in Section 26-122.01 of this Subtitle, shall be subject to a fine of up to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for each offense.
(f)
Any person issued a citation for a violation of this section may be subject to criminal prosecution under Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 10-110 for illegal dumping.
(g)
The Revenue Authority of Prince George's County shall be authorized to enforce this Code provision.
(h)
The Department of Environment, the Police Department, or its agent responsible for removing or storing abandoned vehicles on behalf of the Revenue Authority may not be held liable for any damage to an abandoned vehicle that may occur during removal, storage, or custody of the abandoned vehicle.
(i)
Beginning on September 1, 2025, the County's Department of Environment, the Department of Public Works & Transportation, the Revenue Authority, and the Police Department shall transmit a joint biannual report to the Council. The biannual report shall identify:
(1)
The number of complaints reported through the County's 3-1-1 system under this section;
(2)
The number of pending and resolved complaints under this section; and
(3)
Any other relevant information pertaining to the removal, storing, impoundment, and disposal of abandoned vehicles.