2010 Maryland Code
TRANSPORTATION
TITLE 25 - VEHICLE LAWS - RESPECTIVE POWERS OF STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES; DISPOSITION OF ABANDONED VEHICLES
Subtitle 2 - Abandoned Vehicles
Section 25-201 - Definitions.

§ 25-201. Definitions.
 

(a)  In general.- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 

(b)  Abandoned vehicle.- "Abandoned vehicle" means any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer: 

(1) That is inoperable and left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours; 

(2) That has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours; 

(3) That has remained on private property for more than 48 hours without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property; 

(4) That has remained in a garage for more than 10 days after the garage keeper has given the owner of the vehicle notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, to remove the vehicle; 

(5) That has remained in a garage for more than 10 days after the period when, by contract, the vehicle was to remain in the garage; 

(6) That was left for more than 10 days in a garage by: 

(i) Someone other than its registered owner; or 

(ii) A person authorized to have possession of the vehicle under a contract of use, service, storage, or repair; 

(7) That has remained on public property for more than 48 hours and: 

(i) Is not displaying currently valid registration plates; or 

(ii) Is displaying registration plates of another vehicle; 

(8) That has been left unattended on any portion of a "controlled access highway" as defined in § 8-101 (f) of this article for more than 24 hours; 

(9) That has been left unattended on any portion of a primary or secondary highway or controlled access highway, as defined in § 8-101 of this article, and is in violation of any of the provisions of § 22-408 of this article; or 

(10) That is not reclaimed as provided under § 27-111 of this article. 

(c)  Garage.- "Garage" means any of the following, if operated for commercial purposes: 

(1) A parking place or establishment; 

(2) A vehicle storage facility; or 

(3) An establishment for the servicing, repair, or maintenance of vehicles. 

(d)  Lessor.-  

(1) "Lessor" means a person who regularly leases or offers to lease motor vehicles. 

(2) "Lessor" includes: 

(i) An assignee of leases; and 

(ii) A person who during any 12-month period offers to lease 5 or more motor vehicles or who is assigned 5 or more leases. 

(e)  Police department.- "Police department" means: 

(1) The Department of State Police; 

(2) The police department of any political subdivision of this State; 

(3) In Baltimore City, the appropriate agency designated by the Board of Estimates; 

(4) The police forces of public colleges and universities; 

(5) In Prince George's County, if designated by the County Executive, the Prince George's County Department of Environmental Resources; 

(6) In any municipality in Prince George's County or Montgomery County, an appropriate agency or department designated by the governing body of the municipality; and 

(7) The police force of any State government agency. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 661/2, § 11-1002.2; 1977, ch. 14, § 2; 1980, ch. 156; 1983, ch. 563; 1986, ch. 16; 1987, chs. 128, 149; 1988, ch. 226; 1990, ch. 307; 1991, ch. 82; 1994, ch. 165, § 3; ch. 166, § 3; 1995, ch. 3, §§ 2, 22; ch. 524, §§ 1, 2; 1997, ch. 261; 2002, ch. 19, § 1.]