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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. 

Click here for the Police Impound Lot FAQ flyer.

Attend an Impound Lot Auction

Attend an auction to bid on unclaimed vehicles. The Saint Paul Police Department holds public auctions on a regular basis.

What happens when the police department tows my vehicle?

Vehicles towed by the Saint Paul Police Department are taken the Impound Lot, located at 830 Barge Channel Road. Vehicles towed as part of a snow emergency are taken to the Snow Impound Lot, located at 1129 Cathlin Street (near the Minnesota State Fairgrounds).

Within five business days, the City of Saint Paul mails a notice to the registered owner of the vehicle.

If the vehicle is not picked up within 15 days of the notice, it may be sold at auction.

How can I get my vehicle from the impound lot?

The Impound Lot is open every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

To get a vehicle out of the impound lot, you will need:

  • Identification: Valid state-issued ID, permit or driver's license (a valid driver's license is required to drive the vehicle from the lot), passport, military ID, or consulate ID.
  • Proof of ownership: Title, bill of sale, or lease agreement.
  • Proof of insurance: Up to date insurance card or insurance binder for the vehicle that is currently impounded. You can bring this in person, fax to 651-298-4938, or email to SPPD-Impound@ci.stpaul.mn.us. 
  • Cash or credit to pay the towing and storage fees.

If you're not the registered owner, you will also need authorization from the owner in one of the following ways:

  • For a personal vehicle: Notarized letter with a copy of the owner’s photo ID or Power of Attorney.
  • For a rental or company owned vehicle: The rental company must be notified by the renter and the vehicle will only be released with faxed authorization from the rental company on company letterhead. 
  • For a repossession: An Affidavit of Repossession and a Lien Holder’s Card are required. No exceptions.

See FAQ for how to pick up an impounded vehicle if you don't have a valid driver's license.

What fees will I need to pay?

  • Standard tow: $225.24*
  • Snow emergency tow: $246.00 or more
  • Storage charge: $15 each additional day, starting at midnight
  • Parking ticket, if applicable.

* This is the fee for standard police tows. Please note: Tow pricing may be higher depending on the type of tow service required.

Accepted forms of payment

We accept cash or credit payments. Business checks are subject to approval by management. 

Snow Emergency Towing

During declared snow emergencies, the police department tows vehicles to the Snow Emergency Impound Lot at 1129 Cathlin St., Saint Paul, MN 55108. 
You can reach the Snow Impound Lot at 651-502-7480. 

Get your vehicle from the Snow Impound Lot.

Snow Emergency Information

Find My Vehicle

Use the below form to find where you can retrieve your impounded vehicle and view any fines assessed against it.

The police department keeps towed vehicles at two lots:  

Police Impound Lot (year-round)
830 Barge Channel Road, Saint Paul, MN 55107 
Phone: 651-266-5642

View Police Impound Lot on Google Maps

Snow Emergency Impound Lot (during snow emergencies)
1129 Cathlin Street, Saint Paul, MN 55108 
Phone: 651-502-7480

View on Snow Emergency Impound Lot on Google Maps

If the vehicle has not been towed, call Ramsey County Dispatch at 651-291-1111 to report that it is missing.  

Frequently Asked Questions