Under California Law, the vehicle will be surrendered to an auto dismantler and cannot be made operable again. This means that your vehicle cannot be retrieved and will be destroyed.

It is unlawful to store a non-running vehicle or any vehicle that is not able to be operated on a public roadway within public view. The term public view means that the vehicle can not be seen from any public place or from any private property other than the vehicle owner’s property. 

If the vehicle fits the description above then the police department will take action to abate the vehicle. The process for abating a vehicle starts with a certified letter being sent to the vehicle owner and the property owner. The letter instructs the owners of the need to remove the vehicle and comply with the City regulations.  If the vehicle is not moved by the date indicated on the form then the police department has the right to have the vehicle removed. The regulation also allows the property or vehicle owner to request a hearing with the police department to determine if the vehicle is in fact in violation of City regulations.