At the beginning of 2006 the law commonly referred to as the “Abandoned Vehicle Law” was significantly modified.

The new law expedites the process of removing abandoned vehicles from public streets and roads while at the same time narrowing the definition on private property to only “vehicles remaining on the property without the property owner’s consent.” Consequently, townships, cities and villages across the state changed their ordinances to deal with the change in state law. Tecumseh enacted an ordinance that deals with the Storage of Motor Vehicles on both Commercial and Residential property.

Under the ordinance the following restrictions apply to the storage of vehicles on private property:

• Motor vehicles stored on private property outside of a permanent structure for more than 48 hours must:
• Be parked on a hard surface (concrete, asphalt or compacted gravel)
  specifically designed for the parking and exterior storage of motor vehicles.
• Display a current Michigan registration for that particular vehicle.
• Be an operable vehicle (i.e. the engine runs, transmission is operable, no flat
  tires, etc.)
• Have all of its major components, parts and accessories attached and
  operational for their intended purpose.
• Not be resting on jacks, blocks or similar device for repairs for more than 48
  hours.

These restrictions do not apply to a vehicle that is stored inside a permanent structure such as a garage.

Exception:

A “historic vehicle,” as defined by the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, may be stored outside for more than 48 hours as long as it is on a hard surface (concrete, asphalt or compacted gravel) specifically designed for the parking and exterior storage of motor vehicles, and is completely covered by a motor vehicle tarp specifically designed and tailored for the vehicle it is covering. The tarp cannot be a flat polymer, canvas, nylon or plastic tarp.

The purpose and goal of this ordinance is to obtain voluntary compliance on the part of property owners so that the city can remain esthetically pleasing and so that property values can be maintained. Property or vehicle owners found to be in violation of the ordinance are guilty of a civil infraction for a first offense. Second and subsequent violations are treated as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100 and/or up to 90 days in jail.