A vehicle may be considered abandoned when it has remained on:

• Private property without the owner's consent, or
• Public property, including county roads and city streets, for at least 48 hours, or
• On a state road or highway (e.g., M-99, U.S. 23, I-96) for at least 18 hours if a valid license plate is on the vehicle, or
• On a state road or highway for any period of time if a valid license plate is not on the vehicle.

Michigan law [MCL 257.252d] outlines circumstances when a police agency may authorize removal of a vehicle from private or public property to a place of safekeeping at the owner's expense. If the driver or owner does not claim the vehicle immediately (before it is removed from the site), it may then be considered an abandoned vehicle. A vehicle may be removed if it is:

• In such a condition that its continued operation on public roads would constitute an immediate hazard to the public (e.g., involved in an accident).
• Parked or idling on the highway so that it creates an immediate public hazard or an obstruction of traffic.
• Parked in a posted tow-away zone.
• Believed to be stolen or contain stolen parts.
• Seized to preserve evidence of a crime, or if there is reasonable cause to believe it was used in the commission of a crime.
• A threat to public safety because its presence impedes rescue efforts during fire, flood, storm, snow, natural or manmade disaster or other emergency.
• Hampering the use of private property by the owner or person in charge of that property or is parked in a manner which impedes the movement of another vehicle.
• Illegally stopped, idling or parked in a designated disability parking space.
• Located in a clearly identified access aisle or access lane immediately adjacent to a disability parking space.
• Interfering with the use of a ramp or a curb-cut by people with disabilities.

Law enforcement agencies with questions about whether a vehicle should actually be deemed abandoned should contact their department, local prosecuting, municipal or county attorney.

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