Vehicles parked on Seattle streets for more than 72 hours may be cited as abandoned or improperly stored. SDOT enforces. Owners are notified before towing when feasible, including information on support services for vehicle dwellers.
Under SMC 11.72, any vehicle parked on a city street for more than 72 hours is subject to enforcement action. The process begins with official warning notices, giving the owner time to move voluntarily. Under SMC 11.72.500, a junk vehicle is defined as meeting three or more conditions: extensively damaged, worth $500 or less, inoperable, or not licensed/registered. Junk vehicles may be towed without prior notice. Vehicles with expired tabs are enforceable under SMC 11.72.145. For abandoned vehicles on public streets, call the hotline at (206) 684-8763 or use the Find It, Fix It app. For junk vehicles on private property, contact (206) 684-8940 or SPDGIU@seattle.gov. Impounded vehicles can be recovered through Lincoln Towing at (206) 364-2000 or City Towing at (206) 684-5444.
72-hour violation: warning then towing. Junk vehicle: immediate towing without notice. Expired tabs: citation under SMC 11.72.145.
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