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Tuesday 19 March 2024
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Abandoned Vehicles

PRIVATE PROPERTY BUSINESS OWNERS / APARTMENT AND CONDOMINIUM COMPLEXES
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP POLICE PROCEDURES

Michigan law states:

  • A notice must be prominently displayed at each point of entry for vehicular access to the real property. If the real property lacks curbs or access barriers, not less than 1 notice shall be posted for each 100 feet of road frontage
  • The notice clearly must indicate in letters not less than 2 inches high on a contrasting background that “unauthorized vehicles will be towed away at the owner’s expense.” The notice must provide the name and telephone number of the local towing service responsible for towing or removing vehicles from that property. A local towing agency is considered a towing agency whose storage lot is located within 15 miles from the border of the local unit of government having jurisdiction over the abandoned vehicle. The notice must be permanently installed with the bottom of the notice located not less than 4 feet from the ground and is continuously maintained on the property for not less than 24 hours before a vehicle is towed or removed.
  • As the owner or agent of the property, you need not contact The Chesterfield Township Police directly. Contact the chosen local towing agency as specified above directly and inform them of the suspected abandoned vehicle that is parked without authorization; they will respond in and remove the vehicle. Nothing further on your part is required. The chosen local towing agency will notify The Chesterfield Township Police Department and it shall be determined if the vehicle has been reported stolen.
  • A police report will be taken at that time and the vehicle will be entered into the LEIN, (Law Enforcement Information Network), system, notifying the registered owner of the abandonment. No further action is required on your part.
  • If it is determined that an unauthorized vehicle is hindering your business or normal operation in any way, it may be removed immediately.

ABANDONED VEHICLES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY

Public property is defined and includes state trunklines, most roads, county, township, city or village streets and public parking lots. IE: police departments, parks, public schools and any grounds owned by a government or quasi government institution. Trunklines are defined as Interstates, Michigan routes, US routes, rest areas, MDOT Park and Ride locations, Business Routes and Spurs.

 

IF YOU SUSPECT AN ABANDONED VEHICLE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY OTHER THAN STATE TRUNKLINES HAS BEEN PARKED FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS, YOU MAY:

  • Contact the Chesterfield Township Police Department and request that an officer respond to your location and investigate whether or not the vehicle is in violation.
  • If after investigation by the police officer the vehicle appears to be abandoned, a 48 hour notice may be affixed.
  • At this point, nothing further on your part need be done.
  • The officer in charge of abandoned vehicles will inspect, after the 48 hour waiting period has expired whether or not the vehicle has been removed.
  • If it has not been removed, it will be impounded by the abandoned vehicle officer and entered into the LEIN, (Law Enforcement Information Network), system, notifying the registered owner of the abandonment
  • No further action is required on your part.
  • If after investigation by the police officer the vehicle appears to be hindering or obstructing traffic in any way, it may be removed immediately.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR VEHICLE ABANDONMENT ON PUBLIC PROPERTY. MICHIGAN LAW PROVIDES FOR THE REMOVAL OF VEHICLES ON STATE TRUNK LINES WHEN:

A state trunk line is defined as an Interstate, Michigan route, US route, all rest areas, MDOT Park and Ride locations, Business Routes or Spurs.

  • A vehicle may be impounded if abandoned on a state trunk line for more than 18 hours if a valid registration is attached.
  • A vehicle may be impounded immediately if no registration plate is attached.

On public property, an abandoned vehicle meets the definition if:

  • It remains on public property for not less than 48 hours (county road, city, township or village street, public park, public parking lot, etc.).
  • It remains on a state trunk line highway for not less than 18 hours and has a valid registration plate attached.
  • It remains on a state trunk line highway for any time period without a valid registration plate attached.

 

TIPS TO AVOID YOUR VEHICLE BEING DEEMED ABANDON OR IMPOUNDED

  • Ensure that all snow is cleared from around your vehicle and it is accessible if it is parked on a township roadway as soon as possible.
  • Do not block mailboxes when parking on the roadway.
  • Ensure that all debris, weeds, dirt, etc. is kept clear if vehicle is to be parked for an extended period of time.
  • Keep vehicle registration up to date and properly registered.
  • Ensure that your vehicle is kept in working order and so that it does not appear in disrepair.
  • Do not allow your vehicle to sit unattended on a county roadway, township roadway or street, or public parking lot for more than 48 hours or in a private parking lot where unauthorized parking signs are posted.
  • Ensure that your vehicle does not pose a public hazard or traffic obstruction.
  • Ensure that your vehicle is not parked in a posted tow-away zone, reserved for handicap space.
  • Ensure that your vehicle does not hamper the use of public or private property in any way.

If you have any questions regarding abandoned vehicles or The Chesterfield Township Police Department procedures, you may contact The Chesterfield Township Police Department at 586-949-2322.

 

Michigan Motor Vehicle Code: 257.252(a)