Temporary Pause on Towing Abandoned Vehicles

Due to recent federal immigration actions and tactics, the City of Saint Paul is making a temporary change to how we respond to reports of abandoned vehicles on city streets. The City is taking this step to help reduce any additional burden on residents during an unprecedented time.  

This temporary pause is a collaboration between the Saint Paul Police Department, Public Works, and the Department of Safety and Inspections.

What’s changing

  • The City is temporarily pausing towing for most reported abandoned vehicles.
  • If an abandoned vehicle has been towed and we are notified that the registered owner was detained, the City may be able to waive towing fees and may be able to reimburse eligible costs (as applicable).
  • To request a fee waiver/reimbursement review, you may be asked to provide proof of vehicle ownership and documentation of detention.  
  • Some towing exceptions apply (e.g. safety hazards, snow emergencies, pilot areas, and other urgent or emergency situations).

What is considered an abandoned vehicle?

  • The City has a year-round ordinance that does not allow people to park vehicles on the street in the same spot for more than 48 hours.
  • A vehicle can be considered “abandoned” if it is parked on the streets and has not moved in more than 48 hours.
  • Some items that might indicate a vehicle is abandoned: vehicle is visibly inoperable (e.g. no tires), is still covered with snow with no recent snowfall, has visible windrows of snow around it where the plows went around the vehicle, no tire tracks in the snow).  
  • Abandoned vehicles can either be reported to the Saint Paul Police and/or Saint Paul Police can ticket and tow any vehicle that appears to be abandoned. 

Overview

A vehicle is an illegal abandoned vehicle if it is:

  • Left on private property without the property owner's consent for more than 48 hours
  • Inoperable or lacking vital component parts (e.g., motor, drive train, or wheels) and has been left outside for more than 48 hours. (If the vehicle is inside a garage or enclosed shed, it is legal.)
  • On private property for repairs for more than 30 days
  • Without current license plates for 90 days
  • Left on public property illegally for more than 48 hours (e.g., overtime parking, snowbird - cars not moved off designated streets by the appropriate time after the declaration of a snow emergency, non-restricted streets)

It is legal to have cars in a driveway, unless those cars are abandoned vehicles.

Vehicles towed to City impound lot

If the problem is not corrected the vehicle may be towed to the City impound lot. The City will then typically send certified letters to the car's registered owner and any lien holders three to five business days after the vehicle is impounded. By state law they have five business days from the day of intake to send the letters. (See Section 168B.08, MN Statutes here.) Vehicles not picked up by the registered owner or lienholder are considered abandoned at the lot and may be sold. Reclaiming the car/vehicle requires paying the towing and storage charges. The City can sell impounded abandoned vehicles 15 days after the certified letter(s) are sent.