City of Knoxville - Abandoned Vehicles

NEIGHBORHOOD CODES ENFORCEMENT

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Public Services Division

Solid Waste Office

Neighborhood Codes Enforcement

Abandoned vehicles
Dilapidated buildings
Dirty or overgrown lots
Illegal dumping

ABANDONED VEHICLES

A vehicle is classified as abandoned when the vehicle:

is over four (4) years old and is left unattended on public property for more than thirty (30)days.

has remained illegally on public property for a period of more than forty-eight (48) hours; or

has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than forty-eight (48) hours.

INOPERABLE VEHICLES

A vehicle is classified as inoperable when the vehicle:

lacks major or essential mechanical or body parts.

is junked or partially assembled.

has been burned or flooded throughout.

cannot be driven legally on public streets under City and State ordinances.

is otherwise incapable of moving under its own power.

does not comply with State and City Codes with respect to license and registration.

has one or more tires missing or not fully inflated.

has more than one broken window.

is economically impractical to restore to operating condition.

has any visible rusted areas.

has not moved under its own power in 15 days.

Correction process for abandoned/inoperable vehicles:

City Inspector classifies vehicle inoperable and places an enforcement notice on the vehicle.

Owner of vehicle has 7 days to make vehicle operable on private property and 48 hours on public property.

Vehicle is transported to an impoundment lot if not made operable within specified time enforcement notice is issued.

Owner is billed accordingly for towing.

Owner may be cited to Municipal Court where substantial fines and penalties may be imposed.

In agreement with the National Kidney Foundation, Neighborhood Codes Enforcement will assist any vehicle owner with a clear title in donating unwanted vehicles to the Foundation, allowing them to be towed at no charge and providing a tax deduction to the owner.