Santa Cruz Police Clarify Legal Criteria for Removing Abandoned Vehicles
Santa Cruz de Tenerife police are clarifying that vehicles can only be removed as abandoned waste if they remain stationary for over 30 days, are inoperable, and show clear signs of being discarded.
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Local Police are clarifying the rules for removing cars from public streets, as many people confuse a long-term parked vehicle with one that is legally abandoned. The police emphasize that a dirty car, an expired inspection (ITV), or a lack of insurance are not enough, on their own, to justify the city removing a vehicle.
Under national law, a car can only be classified as "solid urban waste" and removed if three specific conditions are met: the vehicle has been parked in the same spot for more than 30 days, it has sustained damage that makes it impossible to drive, and it is confirmed that the car is no longer in use.
It is important to distinguish this from local parking rules. City ordinances allow officers to monitor and fine vehicles that have been parked in the same spot for more than 10 days. However, this is a matter of traffic management and does not mean the car is considered abandoned or will be immediately towed.
Cases of suspected abandonment are handled by a specialized unit called GRUVA. They inspect the vehicles and manage the legal process for removal. This process can sometimes be delayed if a vehicle has multiple open files against it.
The authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying truly abandoned cars. Residents can report these vehicles using the "SC Mejora" app or the City Council’s online portal. The police hope to clear up the confusion between a car that simply looks neglected and one that meets the strict legal definition required for removal.