·
To Report Abandoned Cars 703-323-4500 (Faifax County)
703-385-7924
(Fairfax City)
This page last updated 08/19/12
Vehicles
and Parking.htm
There have
been a number of problems with inoperative cars and trailers left in some
people’s lots. This is a violation of
the HFCA Rules and Regulations. What you
may not have known is that it is also a violation of the law. HFCA will resort to reporting violators to
the County if they do not comply. In
general, our policy is to request homeowners to comply before taking formal
action.
Chapter 110
of the Fairfax County Code regulates the keeping of inoperative motor vehicles
and trailers. The ordinance states:
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to
keep any inoperative motor vehicle, trailer, or semi trailer on any property
zoned for residential, commercial, or agricultural purposes unless such vehicle
is kept within a fully enclosed building or structure or is kept completely
screened or shielded from view. This chapter defines “Inoperative Motor
Vehicle” as: Any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer which:
·
Is
not capable of starting and moving under its own power; OR
·
Does
not display valid license plates; OR
·
Does
not display an inspection decal that is valid or displays an inspection decal
that has been expired for more than sixty days.
The
ordinance permits the Impoundment Officer of the Fairfax County Police
Department to order the towing of inoperative vehicles from private property if
the owner(s) does not remove them within ten days after receiving a violation
notice from the Impoundment Officer. Property owners are subject to prosecution
for violation of this ordinance.
To report
an inoperative vehicle, email
FCPDJunkVehicle@fairfaxcounty.gov or call the Police Traffic Division Impound Section at 703-280-0587.
A voice mail message will provide you
with all the information necessary to file a complaint. Complainants’ names are never divulged; the
release of names is protected even from a Freedom of Information Act request.
The
Impoundment Officer will follow up complaints with inspections in the field and
enforcement action as appropriate. The officer will conduct an on-site
inspection to determine if a violation exists. If so, a warning letter is
posted at the location with another warning mailed to the property owner
explaining the County ordinance and asking for compliance. After an appropriate
time for compliance, approximately 30 days, the officer will return to the
violation location. If the violation still exists, a reminder warning is posted
at the location. After a third inspection, if the violation still exists, a
notice of violation will be served which compels the property owner and/or
responsible party to reach compliance within ten calendar days.
Compliance
is achieved by either:
Failure to
comply will result in the violator being charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor (up
to six months in jail and up to $1000 fine), and the vehicle being towed at the
violator’s expense. Usually a violation comes into compliance soon after the
first notice of violation. Nevertheless, the ordinance does provide for an
administrative appeal by the violator after the notice of violation is served.
Enforcement is stayed pending a ruling by the hearing official in these cases.
Hundreds of unsightly and violating vehicles are impounded by the Impoundment
Section each year. Pete Scala (1996)
A vehicle
can be parked on the front yard for no more than 48 hours to allow
residents to unload, work on the vehicle, and/or clean it. If you would like to report a violation, please
contact Fairfax County Zoning at 703-324-1300
Article
VII, Number 11 of the Hickory Farms Covenants states:
No boats, trailers, tents or any structure of a portable
nature, or portable vehicle other than automobiles shall stay parked forward of
any dwelling for a period exceeding seven days.
What does
this mean? The term "parked forward
of' has the meaning of "forward of the front line of the house,” whether
in the street, on the lawn or in the driveway.
The enumeration of examples is fairly clear, but is not necessarily all
inclusive. "Seven days" has
the implied meaning that it is a one-time maximum. If it meant such a vehicle, say a trailer or
boat, could sit for six days, be moved for one day and then returned, it would
defeat the purpose of the rule which is to avoid a storage lot appearance which
detracts from the neighborhood and property values. Applying common sense, we must construe
“automobile” to include small pickups and small panel trucks, etc. which are
used for daily transportation to and from work.
Excluded in the meaning would be large commercial vehicles, such as a
stake body truck, school bus, recreation vehicle, etc. In addition to detracting from appearance,
these also create a safety hazard due their size. (HF Newsletter April 1995)
It is
illegal for underage kids to ride motorized vehicles on the street. It is illegal to ride any motorized vehicle
on a sidewalk. And the neighborhood
common areas are for pedestrians to enjoy (they will soon be posted so everyone
will know). If your children are motor
bike riders, please find someplace safe for them to ride, and please make sure
they wear safety gear. (HF Newsletter 1997)
From the July 12, 2004
".......Chairman Connolly
stated that law enforcement today is facing the problem of the proliferation of
small gas-powered mini-motorcycles known as “pocket bikes” and gas-powered scooters.
Motorized scooters resemble the push
scooter of old except for the engine mounted over the back wheel.
"Existing codes prohibit
children under 16 from operating these on public roads, but many parents are
unaware of this law. There are children on County roadways operating these
scooters in excess of 20 miles per hour. He asserted that this is dangerous for not
only the operator, but also for pedestrians and other drivers.
"Chairman Connolly said that the Police
Department is developing a brochure which will present a comprehensive review
of existing legislation so that stores selling mopeds and scooters, parents,
operators, and police officers will be aware of the laws that govern their use.
"Unfortunately, the police must deal with
a myriad of often confusing and overlapping codes. He stated that the County needs legislation
that is up-to-date, clear, consistent, and easily understood by buyers,
dealers, and the police."