Abandoned and junk vehicle rules in Gary

Can Gary tow a junk car from my property?

Gary's code makes it unlawful to abandon a vehicle on public or private property or leave one so it looks abandoned, and it bars partly dismantled, non-operating, wrecked or junked vehicles on any premises. Police-ordered tows are capped at 350 dollars with storage of up to 20 dollars a day, and unclaimed vehicles can be sold or scrapped after 20 days.

By Gary Cash For Junk Cars Inc, published November 15, 2026, updated November 15, 2026.

What Sec. 18-195 says

It is unlawful to abandon a vehicle on public or private property, or to leave it so that it appears abandoned. It also says no partially dismantled, non-operating, wrecked or junked vehicle may stay on any public or private premises. Sec. 18-194 adopts the state definitions in IC 9-13-2.

What it costs if the city acts

Under Sec. 18-197, a police-ordered tow is capped at 350 dollars, and storage can run to 20 dollars a day up to 350 dollars. A vehicle nobody claims can be sold after 20 days or sent to an automobile scrap yard. These are the code’s limits, not a quote.

Snow and street work

A mayor may declare a snow emergency, and the code says one can exist with as little as an inch of snow. During one, parking is barred on designated snow routes and, on other streets, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on a side set by the day’s date. A vehicle left in violation is towed or impounded (Secs. 40-383 to 40-385). Sec. 40-293 bars parking where streets are being swept once signs are posted.

Why sell first

A car sold on your schedule costs you nothing in tow and storage. If the car is yours and you can show the paper, send us the vehicle. For the paperwork side, see the no-title guide. Nearby towns have their own rules, such as Hammond and Merrillville.