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Next Auction on Thursday, March 12

Date: March 12, 2026

Time: Viewing starts at 11:30 a.m. Auction begins at 1 p.m. 

Location: 830 Barge Channel Road

Questions? Call 651-502-7480.

Auction Rules and Information

The City of Saint Paul sells unclaimed property at public auctions. This includes items that come into the custody of the Police Department, like motor vehicles. City statutes prescribe how we do this. Most of the items we auction are motor vehicles. 

We hold in-person auctions on a regular basis at our impound lots. We also send select vehicles to an online auction house based in Hastings, Minnesota.

View Online Auction Listings View Upcoming In-Person Auctions

Questions? Call the auction hotline at 651-266-5757.

Attending an Auction

  • You must be at least 18 years old to be on the auction grounds. No children. No exceptions!
  • You must have a “bid card” to bid in the auction. You can purchase a $5 bid card on site with a valid photo ID. 
  • Only “bid card” buyers can purchase a vehicle in their name. No “bid card” switching is allowed. No unauthorized use/transfer of bid cards allowed.
  • Any property still inside the vehicle must stay with the vehicle — no littering! You will be cited if found violating this ordinance. 
  • Don't remove anything from the vehicles. Theft is a crime! 

Vehicle Sales

  • All vehicles are sold as is and sales are final — no warranties or refunds. 
  • If you win the bid on a vehicle, you must pay for it. If you don't pay, you will be permanently banned from further auctions. 
  • Vehicles must be paid for in cash or certified check only. Payment must be received by 4 p.m. on the day of the auction. 

After the Auction

  • Many vehicles are available with keys and ready to drive.
  • You may obtain a bill of sale to title your vehicle. The cost is $5 at the time of the purchase or $10 if purchased later (or if the bill of sale is lost). Bills of sale will be mailed to your address. 
  • You can take the bill of sale to the DMV to obtain permits/plates for driving the vehicle off the lot. This must be done by the Sunday following the auction, or three days after an auction is held. 
  • All vehicles must be removed from the impound lot by 8 p.m. on the Sunday following the auction. Those vehicles not removed will revert back to the custody of the police department.
  • If you tow the vehicle out, it must be towed out with at least two wheels off the ground. Vehicles need to be towed out by use of a licensed tow truck, vehicle trailer, or tow dolly. 
  • If you abandon an auction vehicle in the City of Saint Paul, or violate laws or ordinances while at the impound lot, you will be banned from future auctions.

Register as a Salvage Dealer

Licensed Saint Paul salvage dealers are welcome to sign up to purchase auctioned vehicles for parts. The Saint Paul Police Department holds salvage dealer-only auctions, in addition to public auctions. To attend, you must be a registered salvage dealer. To register as a salvage dealer:

  1. Print our salvage dealer registration form.
  2. Fill out your name, address, phone and email.
  3. Bring the completed form, voided business check, valid motor vehicle salvage dealer license, and photo ID to the impound lot on a non-auction day.

Questions? Call us at 651-266-5757. 

Other Unclaimed Property

By Saint Paul statute, the Police Department keeps unclaimed property for 60 days so the owner can claim it.  

Here is a list of the Police Department’s currently unclaimed property, valid through March 7, 2026: 

Unclaimed Property List (February 20, 2026)

If you believe an item on this list belongs to you, please contact our Property and Evidence Unit at 651-266-5637.  We will ask you to show proof of ownership or describe the property in detail (description, serial number, etc.) and ask you for official identification.