Phoenix, AZ Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)
Key Facts
- Impound authority
- Phoenix City Code Sec. 36-7
- Boot trigger
- 3+ unpaid parking judgments
- Notice before boot
- At least 21 days
- Unattended removal (city ROW)
- After 2 hours (A.R.S. 28-872)
Summary
Phoenix City Code Sec. 36-7 lets the Police Department remove and impound any unoccupied vehicle found violating parking laws, and may immobilize vehicles whose owners have three or more unpaid parking judgments. State law (A.R.S. Sec. 28-872) authorizes removal of vehicles left unattended more than two hours on a city right-of-way.
Sec. 36-7. Immobilizing and impounding of vehicles. A. The Police Department may remove and impound, under the direction of the Director of the Police Department, any unoccupied vehicle of any kind or description found violating any of the provisions of this Code, or of any of the ordinances of the City of Phoenix or the laws of the State of Arizona regulating the standing or parking of vehicles. B. The Police Department ... may immobilize by placement of a restraint in such a manner as to prevent its operation, and may remove and impound any eligible vehicle upon a street, highway, public right-of-way, or City owned or leased parking lot. A vehicle shall be eligible ... only if: 1. The person has accumulated in the City Court three or more parking violation complaints on which the court has entered judgment for the State ... and on which full payment has not been made.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Abandoned and illegally standing vehicles in Phoenix are handled under City Code Sec. 36-7 and Arizona state law. Sec. 36-7.A authorizes the Police Department to remove and impound any unoccupied vehicle found violating any provision of the City Code, city ordinances, or Arizona laws regulating the standing or parking of vehicles. Sec. 36-7.B further allows police to immobilize (boot) or impound a vehicle whose registered owner has accumulated three or more unpaid parking-violation judgments in City Court and has been placed on the immobilization and impoundment eligibility list after at least 21 days' notice. On public streets, A.R.S. Sec. 28-872 permits an officer to remove a vehicle left unattended for more than two hours within a city right-of-way. To report an abandoned vehicle on a Phoenix public street, residents contact Phoenix Police non-emergency dispatch.
Violations & Fines
Owners of impounded vehicles are liable for towing and storage costs; booted vehicles are released only after the underlying parking judgments and immobilization fees are paid (City Code Sec. 36-7; A.R.S. Sec. 28-872).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report an abandoned vehicle on a Phoenix street?
Can the city boot my car for unpaid parking tickets?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Phoenix
Compare Phoenix to another location·View the Arizona parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Abandoned Vehicles in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Maricopa County handle abandoned vehicles.