Bellevue, WA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Bellevue uses Washington state abandoned-vehicle law (RCW 46.55) and City Code 11.23 to address derelict vehicles. On public streets, a vehicle that has been parked in the same spot more than 72 consecutive hours, or that appears inoperable (flat tires, missing wheels, expired tabs over 45 days, broken glass), can be tagged by Bellevue Police Parking Enforcement. If the owner does not move or repair the vehicle within the notice period (usually 24 to 72 hours), the city may arrange impoundment by a registered tow operator. Owners must pay towing and storage fees to reclaim the vehicle, and unclaimed vehicles may be sold at auction after 15 days. On private residential property, LUC 20.20 and BCC Title 9 junk-vehicle provisions allow code compliance to order removal of vehicles that are inoperable, visibly dismantled, unlicensed, or stored in visible yard areas. Screening inside a garage or behind a solid 6-foot fence generally satisfies the rule. Residents report abandoned vehicles through the MyBellevue app or Police Non-Emergency at (425) 577-5656.