{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1216.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1216.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1216.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1216.html"}],"law_id":57036,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57036,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1216","catch_line":"Removal or immobilization of motor vehicles, vehicles, and trailers against which there are outstanding parking violations; ordinances","history":"1977, c. 666, \u00a7 46.1-3.02; 1978, c. 282; 1984, c. 64; 1988, c. 520; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 686; 2007, c. 813; 2010, c. 23; 2012, cc. 104, 150; 2019, c. 510.","full_text":"The governing body of any county, city, or town may provide by ordinance that any motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer parked on the public highways or public grounds against which there are three or more unpaid or otherwise unsettled parking violation notices may be removed to a place within such county, city, or town or in an adjacent locality designated by the chief law-enforcement officer for the temporary storage of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer, or the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer may be immobilized in a manner that will prevent its removal or lawful operation except by authorized law-enforcement personnel. The governing body of Fairfax County, and any town adjacent to such county, Loudoun County, Prince William County, and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Virginia Beach may also provide by ordinance that whenever any motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer against which there are three or more outstanding unpaid or otherwise unsettled parking violation notices is found parked upon private property, including privately owned streets and roads, the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer may, by towing or otherwise, be removed or immobilized in the manner provided above; provided that no motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer may be removed or immobilized from property which is owned or occupied as a single family residence. Any such ordinance shall further provide that no such motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer parked on private property may be removed or immobilized unless written authorization to enforce this section has been given by the owner of the property or an association of owners formed pursuant to the Virginia Condominium Act (\u00a7 55.1-1900 et seq.) or the Horizontal Property Act (\u00a7 55.1-2000 et seq.) and that the local governing body has provided written assurance to the owner of the property that he will be held harmless from all loss, damage, or expense, including costs and attorney fees, that may be incurred as a result of the towing or otherwise of any motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer pursuant to this section. The ordinance shall provide that the removal or immobilization of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer shall be by or under the direction of, an officer or employee of the police department or sheriff’s office.\n\t\tAny ordinance shall provide that it shall be the duty of the law-enforcement personnel removing or immobilizing the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer or under whose direction such motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer is removed or immobilized, to inform as soon as practicable the owner of the removed or immobilized motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer of the nature and circumstances of the prior unsettled parking violation notices for which the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer was removed or immobilized. In any case involving immobilization of a motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer pursuant to this section, there shall be placed on the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer, in a conspicuous manner, a notice warning that the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer has been immobilized and that any attempt to move the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer might damage it.\n\t\tAny ordinance shall provide that the owner of an immobilized motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer, or other person acting on his behalf, shall be allowed at least 24 hours from the time of immobilization to repossess or secure the release of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer. Failure to repossess or secure the release of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer within that time period may result in the removal of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer to a storage area for safekeeping under the direction of law-enforcement personnel.\n\t\tAny ordinance shall provide that the owner of the removed or immobilized motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer or other person acting on his behalf, shall be permitted to repossess or to secure the release of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer by payment of the outstanding parking violation notices for which the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer was removed or immobilized and by payment of all costs incidental to the immobilization, removal, and storage of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer and the efforts to locate the owner of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer. Should the owner fail or refuse to pay such fines and costs, or should the identity or whereabouts of the owner be unknown and unascertainable, the ordinance may provide for the sale of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer in accordance with the procedures set forth in \u00a7 46.2-1213.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":208928,"text":"The governing body of any county, city, or town may provide by ordinance that any motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer parked on the public highways or public grounds against which there are three or more unpaid or otherwise unsettled parking violation notices may be removed to a place within such county, city, or town or in an adjacent locality designated by the chief law-enforcement officer for the temporary storage of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer, or the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer may be immobilized in a manner that will prevent its removal or lawful operation except by authorized law-enforcement personnel. The governing body of Fairfax County, and any town adjacent to such county, Loudoun County, Prince William County, and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Virginia Beach may also provide by ordinance that whenever any motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer against which there are three or more outstanding unpaid or otherwise unsettled parking violation notices is found parked upon private property, including privately owned streets and roads, the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer may, by towing or otherwise, be removed or immobilized in the manner provided above; provided that no motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer may be removed or immobilized from property which is owned or occupied as a single family residence. Any such ordinance shall further provide that no such motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer parked on private property may be removed or immobilized unless written authorization to enforce this section has been given by the owner of the property or an association of owners formed pursuant to the Virginia Condominium Act (\u00a7 55.1-1900 et seq.) or the Horizontal Property Act (\u00a7 55.1-2000 et seq.) and that the local governing body has provided written assurance to the owner of the property that he will be held harmless from all loss, damage, or expense, including costs and attorney fees, that may be incurred as a result of the towing or otherwise of any motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer pursuant to this section. The ordinance shall provide that the removal or immobilization of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer shall be by or under the direction of, an officer or employee of the police department or sheriff’s office.\n\t\tAny ordinance shall provide that it shall be the duty of the law-enforcement personnel removing or immobilizing the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer or under whose direction such motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer is removed or immobilized, to inform as soon as practicable the owner of the removed or immobilized motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer of the nature and circumstances of the prior unsettled parking violation notices for which the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer was removed or immobilized. In any case involving immobilization of a motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer pursuant to this section, there shall be placed on the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer, in a conspicuous manner, a notice warning that the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer has been immobilized and that any attempt to move the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer might damage it.\n\t\tAny ordinance shall provide that the owner of an immobilized motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer, or other person acting on his behalf, shall be allowed at least 24 hours from the time of immobilization to repossess or secure the release of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer. Failure to repossess or secure the release of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer within that time period may result in the removal of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer to a storage area for safekeeping under the direction of law-enforcement personnel.\n\t\tAny ordinance shall provide that the owner of the removed or immobilized motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer or other person acting on his behalf, shall be permitted to repossess or to secure the release of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer by payment of the outstanding parking violation notices for which the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer was removed or immobilized and by payment of all costs incidental to the immobilization, removal, and storage of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer and the efforts to locate the owner of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer. Should the owner fail or refuse to pay such fines and costs, or should the identity or whereabouts of the owner be unknown and unascertainable, the ordinance may provide for the sale of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer in accordance with the procedures set forth in \u00a7 46.2-1213.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13249,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trespassing Vehicles, Parking, and Towing","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13248,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","permalink":{"id":229801,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13249,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3","url":"\/46.2\/III\/12\/3\/","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":57036,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1216","catch_line":"Removal or immobilization of motor vehicles, vehicles, and trailers against which there are outstanding parking violations; ordinances","url":"\/46.2-1216\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1216","metadata":false},{"id":60919,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1217","catch_line":"Local governing body may regulate certain towing","url":"\/46.2-1217\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1217","metadata":false},{"id":69274,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1217.1","catch_line":"Towing of certain large vehicles; civil penalty","url":"\/46.2-1217.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1217.1","metadata":false},{"id":74346,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1218","catch_line":"Reports by persons in charge of garages, parking places, etc.; unclaimed vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1218\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1218","metadata":false},{"id":56179,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1219","catch_line":"Regulation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic on certain parking lots","url":"\/46.2-1219\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1219","metadata":false},{"id":80549,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1219.1","catch_line":"Regulation or prohibition of vehicular traffic on certain privately owned public parking areas and driveways; penalties","url":"\/46.2-1219.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1219.1","metadata":false},{"id":77831,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1219.2","catch_line":"Parking of vehicles in commuter parking lots owned by the Virginia Department of Transportation","url":"\/46.2-1219.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1219.2","metadata":false},{"id":54248,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1219.3","catch_line":"Parking of vehicles in parking spaces reserved for charging electric vehicles; civil penalties","url":"\/46.2-1219.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1219.3","metadata":false},{"id":59917,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1220","catch_line":"Parking, stopping, and standing regulations in counties, cities, or towns; parking meters; presumption as to violation of ordinances; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1220\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1220","metadata":false},{"id":74268,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1221","catch_line":"Authority of county to regulate parking on county-owned or leased property or on county highways; parking meters; presumption as to violation of ordinances","url":"\/46.2-1221\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1221","metadata":false},{"id":55577,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1222","catch_line":"Regulation of parking on secondary highways by certain counties","url":"\/46.2-1222\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1222","metadata":false},{"id":77619,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1222.1","catch_line":"Regulation or prohibition of parking of certain vehicles in certain counties and towns","url":"\/46.2-1222.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1222.1","metadata":false},{"id":68697,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1222.2","catch_line":"Local ordinances prohibiting parking of certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1222.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1222.2","metadata":false},{"id":59842,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1223","catch_line":"Authority of Commissioner to regulate parking on certain parts of primary state highway system","url":"\/46.2-1223\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1223","metadata":false},{"id":61279,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1224","catch_line":"County ordinances prohibiting certain parking in streets and highways","url":"\/46.2-1224\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1224","metadata":false},{"id":78821,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1224.1","catch_line":"Local ordinances regulating certain parking; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1224.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1224.1","metadata":false},{"id":74507,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1225","catch_line":"Enforcement provisions in city or county parking ordinances","url":"\/46.2-1225\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1225","metadata":false},{"id":82170,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1226","catch_line":"Enforcement of regulations governing parking in Capitol Square","url":"\/46.2-1226\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1226","metadata":false},{"id":55537,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1227","catch_line":"Enforcement of state regulations governing parking on primary and secondary highways","url":"\/46.2-1227\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1227","metadata":false},{"id":76331,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1228","catch_line":"Enforcement of parking regulations of boards of visitors of educational institutions","url":"\/46.2-1228\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1228","metadata":false},{"id":57912,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1229","catch_line":"Enforcement of parking regulations of State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services","url":"\/46.2-1229\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1229","metadata":false},{"id":69298,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1230","catch_line":"Authority of counties, cities, and towns to issue parking permits","url":"\/46.2-1230\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1230","metadata":false},{"id":68405,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1231","catch_line":"Ticketing, removal, or immobilization of trespassing vehicles by owner or operator of parking or other lot or building; charges","url":"\/46.2-1231\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1231","metadata":false},{"id":86926,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1231.1","catch_line":"Immunity from liability for certain towing","url":"\/46.2-1231.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1231.1","metadata":false},{"id":81284,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1231.2","catch_line":"Attorney fees and costs; towing and recovery operators","url":"\/46.2-1231.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1231.2","metadata":false},{"id":69434,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1232","catch_line":"Localities may regulate removal or immobilization of trespassing vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1232\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1232","metadata":false},{"id":77977,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233","catch_line":"Localities may regulate towing fees","url":"\/46.2-1233\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233","metadata":false},{"id":57172,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233.1","catch_line":"Limitation on charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1233.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.1","metadata":false},{"id":64627,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233.2","catch_line":"Advisory board","url":"\/46.2-1233.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.2","metadata":false},{"id":57835,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1233.3","catch_line":"Improper towing; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1233.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1233.3","metadata":false},{"id":65934,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1234","catch_line":"Liability of persons furnishing free parking accommodations as to motor vehicles and property left therein","url":"\/46.2-1234\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1234","metadata":false},{"id":58978,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1235","catch_line":"Authority of Chesterfield County law-enforcement officers to issue parking tickets","url":"\/46.2-1235\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1235","metadata":false},{"id":81990,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1236","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1236\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1236","metadata":false},{"id":66887,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1237","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1237\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1237","metadata":false},{"id":66758,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1238","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1238\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1238","metadata":false},{"id":66211,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1239","catch_line":"Parking in certain locations; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1239\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1239","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":60919,"structure_id":13249,"section_number":"46.2-1217","catch_line":"Local governing body may regulate certain towing","url":"\/46.2-1217\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1217","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1216\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 666 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 1977 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 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 282; in 1984, chapter 64; in 1988, chapter 520; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1990, chapter 686; in 2007, chapter 813<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 23<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 104<\/a> and 150<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 510<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":78616,"section_number":"46.2-1054","catch_line":"Suspension of objects or alteration of vehicle so as to obstruct driver's view","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1054\/"}],"refers_to":[{"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":55215,"section_number":"55.1-1900","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1900\/"},{"id":82636,"section_number":"55.1-2000","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-2000\/"}],"permalink":{"id":229803,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57036,"identifier":"46.2-1216","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1216","url":"\/46.2-1216\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1216\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/3\/46.2-1216","dublin_core":{"Title":"Removal or immobilization of motor vehicles, vehicles, and trailers against which there are outstanding parking violations; ordinances","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1216","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The governing body<\/span> of any county, city, or town may provide by ordinance<\/span> that any motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> parked on the public highways<\/span><\/span> or public grounds against which there are three or more unpaid or otherwise unsettled parking violation notices may be removed to a place within such county, city, or town or in an adjacent locality designated by the chief law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> for the temporary storage of the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span>, or the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> may be immobilized in a manner that will prevent its removal or lawful operation except by authorized law<\/span>-enforcement personnel. The governing body<\/span> of Fairfax County, and any town adjacent to such county, Loudoun County, Prince William County, and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Virginia Beach may also provide by ordinance<\/span> that whenever any motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> against which there are three or more outstanding unpaid or otherwise unsettled parking violation notices is found parked upon private property, including privately owned streets and roads, the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> may, by towing or otherwise, be removed or immobilized in the manner provided above; provided that no motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> may be removed or immobilized from property which is owned or occupied as a single family residence. Any such ordinance<\/span> shall further provide that no such motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> parked on private property may be removed or immobilized unless written authorization to enforce this section has been given by the owner<\/span> of the property or an association of owners<\/span> formed pursuant to the Virginia Condominium Act (\u00a7 55.1-1900<\/a> et seq.) or the Horizontal Property Act (\u00a7 55.1-2000<\/a> et seq.) and that the local governing body<\/span> has provided written assurance to the owner<\/span> of the property that he will be held harmless from all loss, damage, or expense, including costs and attorney fees, that may be incurred as a result of the towing or otherwise of any motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> pursuant to this section. The ordinance<\/span> shall provide that the removal or immobilization of the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> shall be by or under the direction of, an officer or employee of the police department<\/span> or sheriff’s office.\n\t\tAny ordinance<\/span> shall provide that it shall be the duty of the law<\/span>-enforcement personnel removing or immobilizing the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> or under whose direction such motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> is removed or immobilized, to inform as soon as practicable the owner<\/span> of the removed or immobilized motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> of the nature and circumstances of the prior unsettled parking violation notices for which the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> was removed or immobilized. In any case involving immobilization of a motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> pursuant to this section, there shall be placed on the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span>, in a conspicuous manner, a notice warning that the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> has been immobilized and that any attempt to move the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> might damage it.\n\t\tAny ordinance<\/span> shall provide that the owner<\/span> of an immobilized motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span>, or other person acting on his behalf, shall be allowed at least 24 hours from the time of immobilization to repossess or secure the release of the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span>. Failure to repossess or secure the release of the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> within that time period may result in the removal of the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> to a storage area for safekeeping under the direction of law<\/span>-enforcement personnel.\n\t\tAny ordinance<\/span> shall provide that the owner<\/span> of the removed or immobilized motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> or other person acting on his behalf, shall be permitted to repossess or to secure the release of the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> by payment of the outstanding parking violation notices for which the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> was removed or immobilized and by payment of all costs incidental to the immobilization, removal, and storage of the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> and the efforts to locate the owner<\/span> of the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span>. Should the owner<\/span> fail or refuse to pay such fines and costs, or should the identity or whereabouts of the owner<\/span> be unknown and unascertainable, the ordinance<\/span> may provide for the sale of the motor vehicle<\/span>, vehicle, or trailer<\/span> in accordance with the procedures set forth in \u00a7 46.2-1213<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREMOVAL OR IMMOBILIZATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES, VEHICLES, AND TRAILERS AGAINST\nWHICH THERE ARE OUTSTANDING PARKING VIOLATIONS; ORDINANCES (\u00a7 46.2-1216)\n\nThe governing body of any county, city, or town may provide by ordinance that\nany motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer parked on the public highways or public\ngrounds against which there are three or more unpaid or otherwise unsettled\nparking violation notices may be removed to a place within such county, city, or\ntown or in an adjacent locality designated by the chief law-enforcement officer\nfor the temporary storage of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer, or the\nmotor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer may be immobilized in a manner that will\nprevent its removal or lawful operation except by authorized law-enforcement\npersonnel. The governing body of Fairfax County, and any town adjacent to such\ncounty, Loudoun County, Prince William County, and the Cities of Alexandria,\nFairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Virginia Beach may also\nprovide by ordinance that whenever any motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer\nagainst which there are three or more outstanding unpaid or otherwise unsettled\nparking violation notices is found parked upon private property, including\nprivately owned streets and roads, the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer may,\nby towing or otherwise, be removed or immobilized in the manner provided above;\nprovided that no motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer may be removed or\nimmobilized from property which is owned or occupied as a single family\nresidence. Any such ordinance shall further provide that no such motor vehicle,\nvehicle, or trailer parked on private property may be removed or immobilized\nunless written authorization to enforce this section has been given by the owner\nof the property or an association of owners formed pursuant to the Virginia\nCondominium Act (\u00a7 55.1-1900 et seq.) or the Horizontal Property Act (\u00a7\n55.1-2000 et seq.) and that the local governing body has provided written\nassurance to the owner of the property that he will be held harmless from all\nloss, damage, or expense, including costs and attorney fees, that may be\nincurred as a result of the towing or otherwise of any motor vehicle, vehicle,\nor trailer pursuant to this section. The ordinance shall provide that the\nremoval or immobilization of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer shall be by\nor under the direction of, an officer or employee of the police department or\nsheriff’s office.\n\t\tAny ordinance shall provide that it shall be the duty of the law-enforcement\npersonnel removing or immobilizing the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer or\nunder whose direction such motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer is removed or\nimmobilized, to inform as soon as practicable the owner of the removed or\nimmobilized motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer of the nature and circumstances\nof the prior unsettled parking violation notices for which the motor vehicle,\nvehicle, or trailer was removed or immobilized. In any case involving\nimmobilization of a motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer pursuant to this section,\nthere shall be placed on the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer, in a\nconspicuous manner, a notice warning that the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer\nhas been immobilized and that any attempt to move the motor vehicle, vehicle, or\ntrailer might damage it.\n\t\tAny ordinance shall provide that the owner of an immobilized motor vehicle,\nvehicle, or trailer, or other person acting on his behalf, shall be allowed at\nleast 24 hours from the time of immobilization to repossess or secure the\nrelease of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer. Failure to repossess or\nsecure the release of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer within that time\nperiod may result in the removal of the motor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer to a\nstorage area for safekeeping under the direction of law-enforcement personnel.\n\t\tAny ordinance shall provide that the owner of the removed or immobilized motor\nvehicle, vehicle, or trailer or other person acting on his behalf, shall be\npermitted to repossess or to secure the release of the motor vehicle, vehicle,\nor trailer by payment of the outstanding parking violation notices for which the\nmotor vehicle, vehicle, or trailer was removed or immobilized and by payment of\nall costs incidental to the immobilization, removal, and storage of the motor\nvehicle, vehicle, or trailer and the efforts to locate the owner of the motor\nvehicle, vehicle, or trailer. Should the owner fail or refuse to pay such fines\nand costs, or should the identity or whereabouts of the owner be unknown and\nunascertainable, the ordinance may provide for the sale of the motor vehicle,\nvehicle, or trailer in accordance with the procedures set forth in \u00a7 46.2-1213.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 666, \u00a7 46.1-3.02; 1978, c. 282; 1984, c. 64; 1988, c. 520;\n1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 686; 2007, c. 813; 2010, c. 23; 2012, cc. 104, 150; 2019,\nc. 510.","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}}