Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 61. MOTOR VEHICLES

CHAPTER 8. TRAFFIC REGULATION

Part 3. Vehicle Operating Requirements

Prohibition Against Parking Or Leaving Vehicles On Public Property -- Presumption Of Ownership

61-8-356. Prohibition against parking or leaving vehicles on public property -- presumption of ownership. (1) A vehicle may not be parked or left standing upon the right-of-way of a public highway for a period longer than 48 hours or upon a city street or state, county, or city property for a period longer than 5 days.

(2) The abandonment of a vehicle, other than a bicycle, on a public highway, a city street, public property, or private property creates a prima facie presumption that the last-registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for the abandonment and is liable for the costs incurred in removing, storing, and disposing of the abandoned vehicle, less the amount realized if the vehicle is sold.

(3) The filing of a theft report with a law enforcement agency prior to the abandonment relieves the last-registered owner of liability under subsection (2).

(4) A person who is convicted of violating this section is subject to the penalties provided in 61-8-719.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 288, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 169, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 53-901; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 283, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 252, Ch. 42, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 35, Ch. 352, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 161, L. 2023.