Tuscaloosa, AL Parking Rules: Abandoned Vehicles (2026)

Section 22-10 of Chapter 22 is Tuscaloosa's abandoned-vehicle and impoundment authority. A police officer who finds, on any city street or within the police jurisdiction, a vehicle he reasonably believes to be lost, stolen, or abandoned, or one that is or is likely to become an obstruction, or one parked at a place/manner/time that is unlawful, or one parked continuously on a public street for longer than twenty-four (24) hours, may immediately remove and impound it at police headquarters or an authorized location. Non-street-legal vehicles (golf carts, ATVs, etc.) found on streets may be towed after a citation is issued. The city holds a lien on each impounded vehicle for removal, towing, and storage costs: $30.00 if moved with city equipment and $5.00 per day (or fraction) for storage. The chief of police and director of transportation may use private towing services (subsection (c)). Separately, Alabama Code Sec. 32-13-1/32-13-2 lets officers remove a vehicle left unattended on a public road for at least 48 hours and defines a vehicle 'abandoned' once unclaimed for 30 days after notice.