ABANDONED VEHICLES: Questions on abandoned vehicles?

Abandoned vehicles on any public or private property:

 

1. An abandoned vehicle will be removed and held by or at the direction of:

a. The Montana Highway Patrol, if abandoned on a public highway other than a county road.

b. The sheriff, if abandoned on a county road within the county.

c. The city police, if abandoned on a city street within the city.

 

2. If a vehicle is abandoned on private property within the city limits, the owner or person in lawful possession or control of the private property can request that the city police remove and hold the vehicle. If the vehicle is on private property outside the city limits, the same can be requested of the sheriff.

 

3. The sheriff must dispose of a vehicle that is held by the highway patrol. The city police and the county sheriff must dispose of abandoned vehicles by public sale. Exception: the sheriff or city police can immediately release a vehicle that is found to be a junk vehicle and having an appraised value of less than $500 for disposal to a motor vehicle wrecking facility.