Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.
In most cases, a vehicle is considered "abandoned" if it has been left unattended without permission in certain areas for more than 48 hours. See Section 683.002 of the Texas Transportation Code for a definition of "abandoned vehicle."
If a vehicle is abandoned on public or private property, state law says a local law enforcement agency can take the vehicle into their custody. Law enforcement must then provide notice to the registered owner. If the vehicle is not claimed, it may be sold at auction.
If an abandoned vehicle is taken to a storage facility, the facility is required to notify the last known owner or lienholder twice that the vehicle is in storage. The vehicle has to be on the lot for 24 hours before the first notification is sent.
If the vehicle is registered in Texas, notice must be sent no later than the fifth day that the vehicle is on the lot. If the vehicle is registered out of state, notice must be sent no later than the fourteenth day that the vehicle is on the lot. The second notification must be sent between fifteen and twenty days after the first notification was mailed or published.
Storage facilities can charge fees to store the abandoned vehicle. If the vehicle has not been claimed within a set time period, it can be sold or transferred at a public auction.
Unlike abandoned vehicles that are unattended but may or may not still be in good working order, a junked vehicle is wrecked or inoperable. It is considered to be a public nuisance, meaning that it "is detrimental to the safety and welfare of the public."
Junked vehicles are regulated at the local level. Your city or county may have local laws that govern how junked vehicles are handled. These local laws may outline how the owner of the property must be notified and when the junked vehicle can be transferred or disposed of.
Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.