Enforcement Processes that Apply to Abandoned or Illegally Parked Vehicles
October 23, 2020From time to time, residents inquire about the enforcement process for abandoned or illegally parked vehicles in front of their residence or in their neighborhood. This “For the Record” entry is intended to inform residents about the basic enforcement processes that apply to abandoned or illegally parked vehicles.
Abandoned Vehicles:
An abandoned vehicle is one that has been left on a city street for more than 72 hours without moving or is otherwise inoperable.
To report an abandoned vehicle, please call (650) 738-7314 and be prepared to provide the following information:
- address where the vehicle is parked
- color of vehicle
- make/model of vehicle
- license plate number
Vehicles reported as abandoned or in violation of the 72 hour ordinance will be checked and marked by a Police Officer, Community Service Officer, or Police Volunteer. Personnel will check on the vehicle after 72 hours to determine if it has been driven. Per contract terms with our tow companies, abandoned vehicles will not be towed on weekends.
Illegally Parked Vehicles:
Vehicles that are illegally parked will receive a notice of parking violation, and can receive subsequent notices of parking violation for each day it remains illegally parked.
If a vehicle is found to have been issued 5 or more notices of parking violations to which the owner or person in control of the vehicle has not responded within 21 calendar days of notice, the vehicle can be towed. In order for towing to occur, confirmation with DMV records must also indicate 5 or more unpaid notices have been reported.
Due to these Vehicle Code requirements, sometimes one vehicle may be seen with numerous notices of parking violations.
