Arlington Heights, IL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 18-224 of the Arlington Heights Municipal Code, Towing and Storage of Improperly Parked Vehicles and Abandoned Vehicles, lets the Village tow any vehicle parked in violation of Sections 18-201(b), 18-202, 18-212, or 18-216, or a vehicle determined to be abandoned, to a Village-designated location at the owner's expense. Before towing, the Village applies a tow notice to the vehicle and sends a pre-tow warning notice to the registered owner and any lienholder by both first-class and certified mail, describing the vehicle, listing its license plate and VIN, and offering a hearing before the Village Manager or a designee within two working days if requested.

If there is no response to that warning after ten days, the vehicle can be towed. A post-tow notice, including a copy of the Village's tow order and another hearing opportunity, follows by first-class and certified mail within ten days of the tow. For vehicles seven years old or newer, the towing company must send a second post-tow notice at least ten days before the vehicle is sold at public auction or otherwise disposed of, with a copy to the Village. Immediate towing without any prior notice is permitted when the owner and lienholder cannot be located because the plates or VIN were removed or made illegible, the vehicle poses an immediate hazard, obstructs a roadway or walkway, is stolen, or otherwise threatens public health or safety.

00 at public auction without further owner notice, and must auction a vehicle unclaimed for 30 days after specified newspaper and mail notice, with vehicles unsold after 60 days released to a Village department or destroyed. The Village bears no liability for towing damage under Section 18-224(f).