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. The City is taking this step to help reduce 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. 

Public Welcome! 200+Vehicles - Live Auction!

Unclaimed Snow Emergency Vehicle Auction will be held on Friday, February 6th at 1129 Cathlin St. (by the State Fair Grounds); 651-502-7480. 

Viewing starts at 8:30am.  Auction starts at 10:30am. 

Requirements for bidding:

18 years old with legal photo I.D.

$5 bid card entry fee

Must pay cash for vehicles by 4pm same day and removed by Monday, February 9th.

To locate your vehicle, click this link SPPD's vehicle search locator.  

Helpful links

Costs Include:

  • $241.73 (cash or credit) to get your vehicle out of the impound lot if you pick it up before midnight the day it is towed.
  • A $15 storage fee is added to this amount for each additional day the vehicle is on the lot.
  • Parking Ticket:  $56.00 (which is payable at the Ramsey County Traffic Violations Bureau, online or in person there).

To reclaim a vehicle, residents are reminded to bring the following items with them to the impound lot:

  • Proof of vehicle ownership: Title, Bill of Sale or Lease Agreement If the vehicle has been registered within the last 4-8 weeks
  • Valid Photo ID* or Driver's License** is sufficient proof of ownership for vehicles that have been registered for more than 8 weeks.
  • Proof of current insurance for the vehicle that you are picking up
  • Cash or credit cards to pay your fees
  • Keys to the vehicle

*Accepted forms of ID: State issued ID, Permit or Drivers License, Passport, Military ID or Consulate ID

**If the owner of the vehicle does not have a driver's license, they will need 2 licensed drivers to accompany them. If the vehicle owner takes a cab, Uber or bus to the impound lot they must have 1 licensed driver with them, along with the receipt from the cab or Uber, or a bus transfer.

If you are not the registered vehicle owner, you will need:

  • Personal Vehicle: Same last name and same address or a notarized letter with a copy of the owner's photo ID.
  • Rental or Company owned vehicle: The company must be notified by the driver and will only be released with faxed authorization from the company.
  • Repossession: An Affidavit of Repossession (or Writ of Replevin) and a lien holder's card are required in order to release a vehicle to a lien holder or their authorized representative
  • NO EXCEPTIONS!

Tow Lot Locations:

Map of Barge Channel Road lot - All vehicles towed by the Police Department (with the exception of vehicles towed for violating snow emergency parking rules).

Map of Cathlin Street lot - All vehicles towed for violating snow emergency parking rules are towed to 1129 Cathlin Street.

The impound lots are managed by the Saint Paul Police Department 651-291-1111.