Bellingham, WA Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Bellingham's abandoned-vehicle framework sits in BMC Chapter 11.18 (Vehicle Impoundment) and BMC Chapter 11.33 (Parking, Standing, and Stopping), with state-law backbone in Chapter 46.55 RCW (Towing and Impoundment). The operative on-street rule is BMC 11.33.060: no vehicle may remain continuously parked for more than seventy-two hours on any city street. The rule applies broadly to motorhomes, travel trailers, boat trailers, utility trailers, cars, trucks, vans, buses, motorcycles, and motor scooters. When a complaint is filed, a Bellingham parking technician responds, places an orange warning tag on the vehicle to alert the owner that someone has filed a complaint, and documents the vehicle's location; the owner then has seventy-two hours to move the vehicle before it may be impounded. BMC 11.18.020 (Impounds authorized in addition to RCW 46.55.113) authorizes Bellingham police and parking enforcement officers to take custody of a vehicle and provide for its prompt removal under additional circumstances beyond the state-law list. Under BMC 11.18.040 (Redemption of impounded vehicles), any person redeeming a vehicle impounded by the city must pay the towing contractor for costs of impoundment (removal, towing, and storage) and the administrative fee imposed pursuant to BMC 11.18.070, prior to redeeming the vehicle. For vehicles on the public right-of-way generally, RCW 46.55.085 authorizes law enforcement to attach a notice tag and impound the vehicle if not moved within twenty-four hours of the tag. Chapter 46.55 RCW separately defines an 'abandoned vehicle' as one a registered tow truck operator has impounded and held in possession for 120 consecutive hours; an impounded abandoned vehicle not redeemed within fifteen days of the notice of custody and sale is sold at public auction. Report abandoned vehicles to City of Bellingham Parking Services at (360) 778-7780 or use the online Abandoned Vehicle Report.