August 26th, 2026
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
1021 0 Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
(~ Cityof
~ SantaRosa
,~ CALIFORNIA
Re: SENATE BILL 692-REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE
Dear Governor Newsom,
On behalf of the City of Santa Rosa, I am writing to respectfully request your signature on Senate Bill (SB) 692. This bill would authorize a public agency of a city to dismantle an abandoned vehicle in the place where it was abandoned when the vehicle cannot be towed or otherwise moved.
Cities across California routinely encounter abandoned vehicles that the existing abatement framework was never designed to reach. State law presumes a nuisance vehicle can be towed, stored, and disposed of through a lien sale. Where a vehicle has been stripped of its motor, transmission, or wheels, that presumption fails-there is nothing to tow. The vehicle remains in place, leaking fluids, collecting debris, obstructing streets, sidewalks, and rights-of-way, and often posing a fire and public health risk, while the city pursues a process that cannot resolve it.
SB 692 closes that gap with a lawful and clearly bounded means of removing the hazard in place.
Before dismantling, the bill requires distinctive notice affixed to the vehicle at least 15 days in advance, notification to the Department of Justice Stolen Vehicle System, a records search through the Department of Motor Vehicles or the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System to identify all persons with an interest in the vehicle, and written notice to the registered and legal owners within 48 hours of posting. Owners and interested persons may request a hearing within 10 days, to be held within five business days.
The authority applies only where a vehicle has been left in such neglected condition that the owner's intent to relinquish may reasonably be concluded, and only if the vehicle shows no sign of human habitation and the city reasonably believes it is not being used as shelter. These conditions ensure that a tool intended for derelict property is not turned on someone's home. The bill also preserves existing local authority to perform emergency summary abatement where an abandoned vehicle presents an imminent threat to health and safety.
SB 692 reduces the cost of repeated inspections and complaints on vehicles no one can lawfully move, returns public right-of-way to public use, and does so within a framework of notice and hearing that respects property rights.
CITY COUNCIL
100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Rooml0
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Phone: 707-543-3010 Fax: 707-543-3030
(~ Cityof
~ SantaRosa
,~ CALIFORNIA
For these reasons, the City of Santa Rosa respectfully requests your signature on SB 692. Should you have any questions, please contact our legislative advocates Dane Hutchings with California Public Policy Group at (916) 974-9270.
Si~
Mayor Mark Stapp , ~
City of Santa Rosa ~ ~
CC: The Honorable Damon Connolly, Assembly District 12
The Honorable Chris Rogers, California State Assembly, District 2 The Honorable Mike McGuire, California State Senate, District 2
CITY COUNCIL
100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Rooml0
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Phone: 707-543-3010 Fax: 707-543-3030