Allentown, PA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

City Code § 615-103, part of Article XVIII (Abandoned Vehicles) of Chapter 615, bars abandoning a vehicle anywhere in the city, public or private. A vehicle counts as abandoned if it's physically inoperable and left unattended on a highway or public property for more than 48 hours, has remained illegally on a highway or public property for more than 48 hours, sits unattended on public property for more than 48 hours without a valid registration plate, inspection certificate and readable VIN, or has remained on private property without the owner's consent for more than 48 hours, including cars with a flat or missing tire, no current license tags, or left partially wrecked or junked.

Under § 615-104, the Bureau of Police or a designated Allentown Parking Authority worker can remove an abandoned vehicle after giving the registered owner five days' written notice; if the vehicle is a safety hazard, it can be towed immediately, with written notice explaining the removal sent within 12 hours. Vehicles in an enclosed building, on business premises where necessary to operations, or in an approved storage depository are exempt under § 615-106. A property owner may not allow another person to abandon a vehicle on their land, and can instead have it removed by signing PennDOT Form MV-952 and paying a per-vehicle fee that matches what the towing contractor charges the city; if the vehicle's owner later claims it and pays all costs, the property owner is reimbursed.