09/07/2026
In the summer of 1968, the Madison County Herald had had enough of Canton’s junk cars.
Under the unforgiving headline “Junk Cars: Unsightly, Disgraceful and Deadly,” the newspaper devoted nearly an entire page to abandoned automobiles sitting along Canton’s streets and on vacant lots.
The article noted that Canton already had a city ordinance prohibiting junk cars from being left for extended periods. City officials had repeatedly written owners asking that the vehicles be removed, but apparently with little success.
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee then stepped in, asking the city to enforce the ordinance. Its argument went beyond appearances: abandoned cars were described as dangerous places where children might play, as well as evidence of “laziness and apathy.”
The Herald acknowledged that Canton had “other, and more serious problems,” but argued that improving the town had to begin somewhere:
“We must prevent our remaining beauty spots from being obscured … and for our own civic pride. We must remove these junk cars.”
At its meeting that week, the Canton City Council agreed to contact the owners once more.
So … What does Canton consider a “junked vehicle” today?
Under the current City of Canton Code of Ordinances, § 17-21, a motor vehicle is considered a “junked vehicle” if it meets any of the following conditions:
1. It is inoperative and does not have the required
unexpired license plate.
2. It is wrecked, dismantled, or partially dismantled.
3. It is abandoned.
4. It has been inoperable for more than 120 continuous days.
Importantly, § 17-24 states that the presence of a junked vehicle on property within the City of Canton is considered a public nuisance, subject to the ordinance’s stated exceptions.
Those exceptions include a vehicle completely enclosed inside a building so that it is not visible from the street or other property, as well as vehicles lawfully stored in connection with a licensed vehicle dealer, automotive repair business, or automobile junkyard.
