An abandoned motor vehicle is considered inoperable if it is more than 5 years old and has been left unattended on public property for more than how many hours?

• A. 24 hours
• B. 48 hours
• C. 72 hours
• D. 96 hours

Answer: (B)

In code enforcement, a vehicle is considered abandoned and inoperable when two conditions are met: the vehicle is more than five years old, and it has been left unattended on public property for a specific duration. That duration in this case is 48 hours. The 48-hour window gives a practical timeframe to distinguish a temporary situation from true abandonment, while the five-year age threshold focuses the rule on older vehicles that are more likely to be neglected rather than just temporarily parked.

Why 48 hours works here: a shorter period like 24 hours could sweep in vehicles that are simply waiting for a tow, a repair, or a quick stop, whereas a longer period like 72 or 96 hours would delay removal of a real nuisance. The combination ensures timely action on genuine abandonment without overreach.