Abandoned Vehicles

​How long may a vehicle be parked on a city street?

A vehicle may not be continuously parked over 72 hours [BMC 11.33.060(A)(25).]  This includes motor homes, travel trailers, and boat and utility trailers in addition to cars, trucks, vans, buses, motorcycles, and motor scooters.​

Reporting an abandoned vehicle

You can report a vehicle online or by calling the Bellingham Police Department at (360) 778-8802. Be prepared to give the address where the vehicle is located as well as a full description of the vehicle (make, model, color, and license plate number). Also let us know how long the vehicle has been at the location. We would also like your name and phone number so the Bellingham Citizen Patrol (BCP), or officer who responds to your call, can contact you if needed. Your name and phone number are kept confidential.

Report a Vehicle

An officer or parking enforcement officer will be dispatched and place an orange tag (a warning notice) on the vehicle, as well as note how the vehicle was parked. The orange tag is to alert the owner of the vehicle that a complaint has been received and that the owner has 72 hours to remove the vehicle from its current location.

The owner of the vehicle is sent a notice via USPS mail to the last known address as listed in the records of the Washington State Department of Licensing.  The notice states that the vehicle is subject to impoundment if not removed. 

An officer will recheck the area for the orange-tagged vehicle sometime after the 72-hour warning period has lapsed. If it is found at the same location and has not been moved, the vehicle will be subject to impoundment.

In order to be considered moved, the vehicle must pass through an intersection or be parked on a different street. Vehicles that appear to have been moved forward or backwards less than one block will be subject to impound.

A Parking Enforcement Officer (PEO) or Police Officer may remove orange-tagged vehicles from the right of way after 72 hours if the owner has not moved the vehicle. Due to a lack of staffing, it could be longer than 72 hours before the vehicle is towed.

Yes. If there are extenuating circumstances, you may request additional time to move your vehicle. Please contact the Bellingham Police Department at (360) 778-8800 to request a one-time extension.

If you are the registered owner and/or legal owner, you will receive a notice of the vehicle impoundment from the Bellingham Police Department, which includes the name of the towing company.  Contact the towing company directly to redeem/claim the vehicle.  Phone numbers and addresses are listed below.

Be advised that this notice will only be sent to the last known address as listed in the records of the Washington State Department of Licensing. Washington State Law requires that registered owners keep their current physical street address on the record.

If not redeemed/claimed, the vehicle may be sold at public auction in accordance with RCW 46.55.130.

ASAP Towing
3876 Ha​nnegan Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226-9103​
(360) 734-6465

Heston Hauling
3815 Bakerview Spur, Unit 3
Bellingham, WA 98226-7680
(360) 656-6001  

Johnson’s Towing
4058 Bakerview Valley Rd
Bellingham,WA 98226-7729
(360) 733-4232

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