{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1200.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1200.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1200.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1200.html"}],"law_id":61628,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61628,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1200","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1968, c. 421, \u00a7 46.1-555.1; 1978, c. 348; 1989, c. 727; 1997, c. 431; 2009, c. 664; 2011, cc. 487, 824; 2020, c. 977.","full_text":"As used in this article:\n\t\t“Abandoned motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that:\n\n1\n\nWeighs at least 75 pounds; and2\n\n(i) Is left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours in violation of a state law or local ordinance;ii\n\nhas remained for more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the property’s owner, regardless of whether it was brought onto the private property with the consent of the owner or person in control of the private property; oriii\n\nis left unattended on the shoulder of a primary highway.\n\t\t\t\t“Scrap metal processor” means any person who is engaged in the business of processing motor vehicles into scrap for remelting purposes who, from a fixed location, utilizes machinery and equipment for processing and manufacturing ferrous and nonferrous metallic scrap into prepared grades, and whose principal product is metallic scrap.\n\t\t\t\t“Vehicle removal certificate” means a transferable document issued by the Department for any abandoned motor vehicle that authorizes the removal and destruction of the vehicle.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":224990,"text":"As used in this article:\n\t\t“Abandoned motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":224991,"text":"Weighs at least 75 pounds; and","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":224992,"text":"(i) Is left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours in violation of a state law or local ordinance;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"2ii"},"3":{"id":224993,"text":"has remained for more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the property’s owner, regardless of whether it was brought onto the private property with the consent of the owner or person in control of the private property; or","type":"section","prefixes":["2","ii"],"prefix":"ii","entire_prefix":"2ii","prefix_anchor":"2ii","level":2,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"2iii"},"4":{"id":224994,"text":"is left unattended on the shoulder of a primary highway.\n\t\t\t\t“Scrap metal processor” means any person who is engaged in the business of processing motor vehicles into scrap for remelting purposes who, from a fixed location, utilizes machinery and equipment for processing and manufacturing ferrous and nonferrous metallic scrap into prepared grades, and whose principal product is metallic scrap.\n\t\t\t\t“Vehicle removal certificate” means a transferable document issued by the Department for any abandoned motor vehicle that authorizes the removal and destruction of the vehicle.","type":"section","prefixes":["2","iii"],"prefix":"iii","entire_prefix":"2iii","prefix_anchor":"2iii","level":2,"prior_prefix":"2ii"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15110,"edition_id":1,"name":"Abandoned Vehicles","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13248,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:52:13","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:52:13","permalink":{"id":229709,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15110,"identifier":"1","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1","url":"\/46.2\/III\/12\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13248,"edition_id":1,"name":"Abandoned, Immobilized, Unattended and Trespassing Vehicles; Parking","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","permalink":{"id":229707,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13248,"identifier":"12","token":"46.2\/III\/12","url":"\/46.2\/III\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":61628,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1200","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/46.2-1200\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200","metadata":false},{"id":63283,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1200.1","catch_line":"Abandoning motor vehicles prohibited; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1200.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200.1","metadata":false},{"id":76589,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1200.2","catch_line":"Vehicles registered to active duty military personnel","url":"\/46.2-1200.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200.2","metadata":false},{"id":61648,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1200.3","catch_line":"Limitation on removal and sale of abandoned vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1200.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200.3","metadata":false},{"id":60742,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1201","catch_line":"Ordinances","url":"\/46.2-1201\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1201","metadata":false},{"id":75992,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1202","catch_line":"Search for owner and secured party; notice","url":"\/46.2-1202\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1202","metadata":false},{"id":77436,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1202.1","catch_line":"Vehicle Removal Certificates","url":"\/46.2-1202.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1202.1","metadata":false},{"id":63644,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1202.2","catch_line":"Notice of intent to auction and sale of vehicle; posting requirements","url":"\/46.2-1202.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1202.2","metadata":false},{"id":72914,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1203","catch_line":"Sale of vehicle at public auction by locality; disposition of proceeds","url":"\/46.2-1203\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1203","metadata":false},{"id":57574,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1204","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1204\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1204","metadata":false},{"id":82860,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1205","catch_line":"Disposition of inoperable abandoned vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1205\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1205","metadata":false},{"id":65709,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1206","catch_line":"Surrender of certificate of title, etc., where motor vehicle acquired for demolition; records to be kept by demolisher or scrap metal processor","url":"\/46.2-1206\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1206","metadata":false},{"id":74419,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1207","catch_line":"Certification of disposal; reimbursement of locality by Commissioner","url":"\/46.2-1207\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1207","metadata":false},{"id":61857,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1208","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1208\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1208","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":63283,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1200.1","catch_line":"Abandoning motor vehicles prohibited; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1200.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1200\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1968. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 421 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1968 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1978, chapter 348; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1997, chapter 431<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 664<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 487<\/a> and 824<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 977<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76250,"section_number":"23.1-104","catch_line":"Disposition of lost or abandoned property","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-104\/"},{"id":63283,"section_number":"46.2-1200.1","catch_line":"Abandoning motor vehicles prohibited; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1200.1\/"},{"id":74116,"section_number":"46.2-1209","catch_line":"Unattended or immobile vehicles, generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1209\/"},{"id":75425,"section_number":"46.2-1213","catch_line":"Removal and disposition of unattended or immobile vehicles; ordinances in counties, cities, and towns","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1213\/"},{"id":79642,"section_number":"46.2-920.1","catch_line":"Operation of tow trucks or vehicles owned or controlled by the Department of Transportation under certain circumstances; incident management","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-920.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":229711,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61628,"identifier":"46.2-1200","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200","url":"\/46.2-1200\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1200\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1200","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this article:\n\t\t“Abandoned motor vehicle<\/span>” means a motor vehicle, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> that:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Weighs at least 75 pounds; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> (i) Is left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours in violation of a state law<\/span> or local ordinance<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

ii.<\/span> has remained for more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the property’s owner<\/span>, regardless of whether it was brought onto the private property with the consent of the owner<\/span> or person in control of the private property; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

iii.<\/span> is left unattended on the shoulder<\/span> of a primary highway<\/span>.\n\t\t\t\t“Scrap metal processor<\/span>” means any person who is engaged in the business of processing motor vehicles<\/span> into scrap for remelting purposes who, from a fixed location, utilizes machinery and equipment for processing and manufacturing ferrous and nonferrous metallic scrap into prepared grades, and whose principal product is metallic scrap.\n\t\t\t\t“Vehicle removal certificate<\/span>” means a transferable document issued by the Department<\/span> for any abandoned motor vehicle<\/span> that authorizes the removal and destruction of the vehicle. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 46.2-1200)\n\nAs used in this article:\n\t\t“Abandoned motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle, trailer, or\nsemitrailer that:\n\n1. Weighs at least 75 pounds; and\n\n2. (i) Is left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours in violation\nof a state law or local ordinance;\n\n ii. has remained for more than 48 hours on private property without the\n consent of the property’s owner, regardless of whether it was brought\n onto the private property with the consent of the owner or person in control\n of the private property; or\n\n iii. is left unattended on the shoulder of a primary highway.\n \t\t\t\t“Scrap metal processor” means any person who is engaged in the\n business of processing motor vehicles into scrap for remelting purposes who,\n from a fixed location, utilizes machinery and equipment for processing and\n manufacturing ferrous and nonferrous metallic scrap into prepared grades, and\n whose principal product is metallic scrap.\n \t\t\t\t“Vehicle removal certificate” means a transferable document\n issued by the Department for any abandoned motor vehicle that authorizes the\n removal and destruction of the vehicle.\n\nHISTORY: 1968, c. 421, \u00a7 46.1-555.1; 1978, c. 348; 1989, c. 727; 1997, c. 431;\n2009, c. 664; 2011, cc. 487, 824; 2020, c. 977.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}