Inoperable Motor Vehicle

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What is an Inoperable Motor Vehicle?

The Code of the City of Fairfax defines an Inoperable Motor Vehicle as:
Any motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer which is not in operating condition; or which for a period of 60 days or longer has been partially or totally disassembled by the removal of tires or wheels, the engine or other essential parts required for operation of the vehicle or on which there are displayed neither valid license plates nor a valid inspection decal.

If you would like to see the complete code section governing Inoperable Motor Vehicles, please click here.

Education and Enforcement

As part of the City's continuous effort to maintain a high quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors, the Police Department works hard to educate residents about the Inoperable Motor Vehicle ordinance. The Department also takes enforcement action when owners fail to remove such vehicles or make them operable.

When an inoperable vehicle is observed, the registered owner of the vehicle is notified of the violation and requested to have the vehicle removed from the property, or made operable, within ten days. If the registered owner of the property is not the same person as the owner of the property, a separate notice will go the property owner.

If after ten days the vehicle still does not comply with the law, it is removed from the property. All fees associated with the removal of the vehicle must be paid by the owner in order to reclaim the vehicle. If the removal fees are not paid, the vehicle will be sold to recover the cost incurred during the removal process.

In addition to the removal process, the vehicle owner or property owner can be issued a summons for violation of the Inoperable Motor Vehicle ordinance. This violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $ 500.00.

Have More Questions and Want to Report the Location of an Inoperable Vehicle?

Each inoperable motor vehicle complaint tends to have slightly different circumstances that may affect the way in which the Department addresses the problem. In addition, you may have specific questions about a situation or you may want us to review the circumstances surrounding a parked vehicle in your neighborhood.

In either case, please feel free to email Christopher Marotta of the Traffic Services Section or call 703.293.7000 for more information or to report an inoperable motor vehicle.