In an effort to keep neighborhoods from unnecessary and unsightly blight, the City of Tacoma has regulations for properly parking vehicles in residential areas. Those who are in violation of the parking rules can be reported to the Abandoned Autos Hotline at (253) 591-5926.
If you witness a vehicle that is blocking public rights-of-way, obstructing traffic or jeopardizing public safety; parked in the same spot for longer than seven days or parked against traffic; is unlicensed, inoperable, abandoned, dissembled, or dilapidated vehicles on the street or in the city right-of-way; a vehicle parked the wrong way (against traffic) or any bus, trailer, semi-truck or other commercial vehicle on a residential street longer than an hour you are encouraged to report the vehicle to the hotline.
The hotline is automated. When reporting an abandoned vehicle you will need to include the following: the location, description of the vehicle and the license plate number, if available. Once a complete report is made, an abandoned vehicle enforcement officer will respond to most complaints the following day. If the officer finds a vehicle to be in violation, a warning tag will be placed on the vehicle.
After a vehicle has been tagged the owner has up to seven days to remove it. If the vehicle has not been removed after that time, the City has the authority to impound and/or dispose of the vehicle at the registered owners expense.
Since the hotline was established, it has proven to be a useful tool for citizens to report abandoned/derelict vehicles in their neighborhoods. “We have seen a decrease in abandoned auto complaints recently,” said Steve Goolie with Public Works. “I encourage citizens to continue to utilize the hotline. I feel the number has been, and will continue to be, an effective way to help clean up our City.”
If you witness parking violations or are experiencing abandoned auto issues within city limits, call the Abandoned Auto Hotline at (253) 591-5926, 24-hours a day, seven days a week for assistance. For more information about the program, visit http://tinyurl.com/d8qvyo .
