Abandoned Vehicles

​How long may a vehicle be parked on a city street?

A vehicle may not be continuously parked over 72 hours [BMC 11.33.060(A)(25).]  This includes motor homes, travel trailers, and boat and utility trailers in addition to cars, trucks, vans, buses, motorcycles, and motor scooters.​

Reporting an abandoned vehicle

You can report a vehicle online (link below) or by calling the Public Works Parking Services at (360) 778-7784. Be prepared to give the address where the vehicle is located as well as a full description of the vehicle (make, model, color, and license plate number). Also let them know how long the vehicle has been at the location. We will need to provide your name and phone number so officer or parking technician who responds to your call, can contact you if needed.

Report a Vehicle

A parking technician will respond and place an orange tag (a warning notice) on the vehicle, as well as note how the vehicle was parked. The orange tag is to alert the owner of the vehicle that a complaint has been received and that the owner has 72 hours to remove the vehicle from its current location or be subject to impoundment.

The owner of the vehicle is sent a notice via USPS mail to the last known address as listed in the records of the Washington State Department of Licensing.  The notice states that the vehicle is subject to impoundment if not removed. 

A parking technician will recheck the area for the orange-tagged vehicle sometime after the 72-hour warning period has lapsed. If it is found at the same location and has not been moved, the vehicle will be subject to impoundment.

In order to be considered moved, the vehicle must pass through an intersection (different block) or be parked on a different street. Vehicles that appear to have been moved forward or backwards less than one block remain in violation and will be subject to impound.

A parking technician or police officer may remove orange-tagged vehicles from the right of way after 72 hours if the owner has not moved the vehicle. Due to a lack of staffing, it could be longer than 72 hours before the vehicle is towed.

Yes. If there are extenuating circumstances, you may request additional time to move your vehicle. Please contact City of Bellingham Parking Services at (360) 778-7784 to request a one-time extension.

If you are the registered owner and/or legal owner, you will receive a notice of the vehicle impoundment from the City of Bellingham Parking Services, which includes the name of the towing company.  Contact the towing company directly to redeem/claim the vehicle.  Phone numbers and addresses are listed below.

Be advised that this notice will only be sent to the last known address as listed in the records of the Washington State Department of Licensing. Washington State Law requires that registered owners keep their current physical street address on the record.

If not redeemed/claimed, the vehicle may be sold at public auction in accordance with RCW 46.55.130.

ASAP Towing
3876 Ha​nnegan Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226-9103​
(360) 734-6465

Heston Hauling
3815 Bakerview Spur, Unit 3
Bellingham, WA 98226-7680
(360) 656-6001  

Johnson’s Towing
4058 Bakerview Valley Rd
Bellingham,WA 98226-7729
(360) 733-4232

Contacts

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