Who removes an abandoned or junk vehicle depends on where it sits. On a state-maintained road, which outside town limits in North Carolina means almost every public road, the investigating officer can arrange removal once it has been left for 24 hours or more, and the county's ordinance can apply as well; after Hurricane Helene, for example, the county tagged and towed vehicles left in public rights-of-way in its unincorporated areas. On a town or city street, that municipality's ordinance usually governs. On private land, the owner has to deal with it, though county rules on junk vehicles and state law on vehicles left without permission give owners and neighbors some tools.
What counts as abandoned or junked
North Carolina lets counties and cities adopt their own ordinances on abandoned and junked motor vehicles, under G.S. 153A-132 for counties and G.S. 160A-303 for cities. Under the county statute, an abandoned vehicle includes one left for more than 24 hours on county property, one left for more than two hours on private property without the consent of the owner, occupant or lessee, and one left for more than seven days on public grounds. Under G.S. 153A-132.2, a junked vehicle is one that does not display a current license plate and is also partially dismantled or wrecked, cannot move under its own power, or is more than five years old and appears to be worth less than $100. Because local ordinances differ, the precise definition is whatever your county or city adopted.
Buncombe County has its own ordinance on abandoned and junked motor vehicles in the county code, with its own definitions and limits on where such vehicles may be kept. Those details have been amended over time, so check the current code or ask the county which rule applies to your property.
Where it sits determines who acts
| Location | Usually handled by | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate or other state-maintained road, which covers almost every public road outside town limits | The investigating officer, such as the State Highway Patrol or the Sheriff's Office, and the county under its ordinance | Removal and storage can be arranged once the vehicle has been left for 24 hours or more (G.S. 20-161); under the county ordinance, expect a notice on the vehicle and a short window to move it before it is towed |
| Street inside Asheville | Asheville Police Department and city parking rules | Police-ordered tows follow the city's published process and fee limits |
| Private land, vehicle left without permission | Landowner, working with the county or city under the ordinance | Ordinances may define a short time limit before the vehicle counts as abandoned |
| Private land, owner's own junk vehicle | County zoning or code enforcement, usually on complaint | Notice and time to comply, with limits on number and screening |
Buncombe County's right-of-way program
After Hurricane Helene in September 2024, the county began a program in early 2025 to clear vehicles left in public rights-of-way. In the first phase, in unincorporated areas, the county placed orange tags on abandoned vehicles. The tag, which cited G.S. 153A-132 and sections 26-280 and 26-281 of the county code, gave the owner seven calendar days from the tagging date to remove the vehicle. After that, the Sheriff's Office could have it towed and stored, and a vehicle nobody reclaimed could be disposed of. Owners were notified by letter to the address on file with the DMV, and the county said the tags were not parking tickets. That was a specific recovery effort, and its current status may have changed, so ask the county's One Buncombe Call Center about the process today. If a vehicle of yours is ever tagged, move it right away or contact the county before the deadline.
If the vehicle is yours and you want to get rid of it
- Sell it for scrap or parts. Many buyers pay by weight and arrange pick-up. Ask what paperwork they need, since proof of ownership is common.
- Donate it. Some charities take non-running vehicles. The process, paperwork and tax treatment vary, so ask first.
- Have it moved to a repair shop or storage yard. A non-running vehicle may need a flatbed or dollies. The towing cost guide explains the usual charges.
- Fix the plate or registration problem if that is the only reason it counts as junk. Under some ordinances a current plate takes a stored vehicle out of the junked category, but check the county's definition first.
If a car was left on your land and you do not know who owns it, do not start by hauling it away. Record the make, model, plate and VIN if visible, take photos, and contact the local law enforcement agency or the county. A vehicle can be stolen, or it can belong to someone who has a legitimate claim, and the paper trail protects you.
Reporting a vehicle on a roadside
For an abandoned car on a public road, report it to the non-emergency number of the agency that covers the road. Provide the location, the plate, the vehicle description and how long it has been there. Leave 911 for emergencies and *HP for stranded drivers. If the vehicle is parked in a way that endangers traffic, such as in a travel lane or on a blind curve, say so. The guide to breakdowns on the interstate explains the rules for stopped vehicles on major highways.
If your car was towed as abandoned
Find out which agency ordered the tow and where the vehicle is. If a law enforcement officer directed the tow, you can ask the magistrate in that county, in writing, for a probable cause hearing, and you can get the vehicle back first by paying the towing fee or posting a bond for double the fee. The guide to tows after a crash walks through that process. For a tow under a county or city ordinance, the abandoned-vehicle statutes also call for notice to the owner and a chance to contest the tow, so ask the agency which hearing route applies. If the vehicle was removed from private property by a landowner's tow contractor, the rules in the guide to private-property tows apply instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report an abandoned car on a public road?
Call the non-emergency number of the agency that covers the road and give the location, the plate, a description of the vehicle and how long it has been there. Say so if it sits in a travel lane or on a blind curve. Keep 911 for emergencies and *HP for stranded drivers.
Who do I call about a junk car on my neighbor's property?
Start with Buncombe County, which has an ordinance on abandoned and junked vehicles, if the property is in an unincorporated area. Inside a city or town, contact that municipality.
Do I have to pay if the county tows my abandoned vehicle?
Generally the owner is responsible for towing and storage charges to get it back. If you think the tow was unjustified, ask the county which hearing process applies, and ask the magistrate's office about a probable cause hearing if an officer directed the tow.
Can I tow a car that is parked on my private land without permission?
Ordinances usually set steps for this, and state law lets cities and counties treat a vehicle left on private property without consent for more than two hours as abandoned for ordinance purposes. Check local rules and any sign requirements before calling a tow company.
What happens to a vehicle nobody claims?
The tower or agency can enforce its lien and sell it after the legal notices are given. The county's 2025 tags warned that vehicles left unclaimed after towing could be disposed of.