Colonie, NY Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Town Code § 181-26 gives the Town police and the Town Highway Superintendent (or their designees) authority to remove any vehicle parked or abandoned on a Town highway during a snowstorm, flood, fire, or other public emergency, or found unattended where it obstructs traffic, or sitting in any location where stopping, standing, or parking is prohibited under the Article III schedules. This single removal power covers the classic abandoned-car scenario: an unattended vehicle left blocking a highway is removable on that basis alone, without needing a separate weather or emergency trigger.

Once towed, § 181-27 lets whichever authority effected the removal, either the Town Police or the Highway Superintendent, store the vehicle at a suitable location at the owner's expense; the owner or person in charge can redeem the vehicle only after paying all expenses and charges actually and necessarily incurred for the removal and storage. Section 181-28 then requires the Town Superintendent of Highways to report the removal and disposition of the vehicle to the Town police without delay, and obligates the police to try to identify the owner or person in charge and notify them of the removal, its disposition, and the amount needed to redeem the vehicle.

Because leaving a vehicle unattended on a highway in an obstructing or prohibited location is also a chapter violation, the owner can additionally face the § 181-5 penalty schedule (up to $50/15 days for a first offense, rising to $250/90 days for a third within 18 months) on top of the towing and storage bill.