Auburn, AL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Max time on a public street
- 72 hours
- Tow authority
- City manager or designee
- Max tow charge, first 24 hrs
- $100.00
- Max storage, per added day
- $10.00
- Unclaimed vehicle held before auction
- 3 months
Summary
Auburn makes it unlawful to leave any vehicle on a public street or public way for more than 72 hours. The city manager can order a commercial tow at the owner's expense, capped at $100 for the first 24 hours plus $10 a day in storage after that.
Sec. 22-26. Maximum time to leave a vehicle parked. It shall be unlawful to leave any vehicle on any public street or other public way in the city for more than seventy-two (72) hours. Sec. 22-27. Towing authorized. The city manager, or designee, is hereby authorized to have removed and towed away by a commercial towing service, any automobile or vehicle illegally parked or left in any place prohibited by ordinance or where such parked or left vehicle creates or constitutes a traffic hazard or where such vehicle has excessive unpaid parking fines as provided in subsection 22-53(c).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 90).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 22-26 sets a flat 72-hour limit for any vehicle left on a public street or public way in the city; once that window passes, the vehicle is subject to removal. Sec. 22-27 authorizes the city manager, or a designee, to have a commercial towing service remove any vehicle illegally parked, left somewhere prohibited by ordinance, creating a traffic hazard, or carrying excessive unpaid parking fines under Sec. 22-53(c). Every place where parking is already prohibited is automatically a designated tow-away zone under Sec. 22-28, and the city manager may add more locations wherever a parked vehicle is a hazard.
When a vehicle is towed, the commercial towing company must report the tow to the Auburn Public Safety Department Communications Division within one hour (Sec. 22-29(a)); if ownership cannot be determined, the vehicle is treated as abandoned property and disposed of under Sec. 18-5, which lets the police chief store it and, after three months, sell it at public auction following two weeks of published notice. Sec. 22-30 caps what the towing company can charge the owner: no more than $100 for the first 24 hours after the tow, plus no more than $10 for each additional 24-hour period or part of one.
A vehicle towed for excessive unpaid parking fines is released only after the owner pays both the outstanding fines, evidenced by a city receipt, and the towing and storage charges.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a vehicle on a public street past 72 hours exposes the owner to a city-ordered tow at their expense, capped at $100 for the first day and $10 per day after that under Sec. 22-30. If the vehicle's owner cannot be identified, it is processed as abandoned property under Sec. 18-5 and can be auctioned off after three months in storage, with proceeds going to the general fund after costs are deducted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I leave my car parked on an Auburn street?
What will it cost to get my car back after an Auburn tow?
What happens if the city can't find who owns a towed car?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
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