Vehicle Abatement

This page explains the process for investigating vehicles parked on city streets. For residents who own an unwanted car stored on their property, the Code Enforcement Division provides free tow and disposal service. 

We investigate vehicles that may be:

  • Safety Hazards
  • Extreme Blight
  • Inoperable

Report a Concern

Report a vehicle concern using the San José 311 mobile app (for Apple or Android) or website. A photograph and license plate number of the vehicle help our officers confirm eligibility address your concern faster.

Please note that we are not able to act on all complaints, but we track them all and use the data to better understand what services to prioritize with future resources.

We are not able to tow lived-in vehicles. 

Parking Compliance Officers are proactively patrolling every city street to investigate inoperable vehicles that pose a health, safety or extreme blight concern, even if they go unreported.  

Vehicles are considered a safety concern or contributing to extreme blight, and are eligible for investigation, if they:

  • Are on jacks/blocks
  • Have missing or have shattered windows
  • Are vandalized / have graffiti (non-commercial vehicle)
  • Have multiple significantly flat tires
  • Are missing both the front and back license plate
  • Display multiple aged or weathered citations
  • Have deployed airbags
  • Have unsecured/open doors or trunk
  • Are an unattached trailer
  • Are attracting illegal dumping activities

Vehicles displaying these conditions will typically trigger an investigation to see if they are abandoned. An investigation includes a field visit by Parking Officers, who leave a warning notice to the vehicle owner. If the vehicle is then moved, no enforcement action is needed. If the vehicle is not moved or fixed, it may be cited or towed. Most vehicle owners' comply with parking rules and restrictions after receiving a warning notice. For more information on vehicle abatement and vehicle concern outcomes see the San José 311 dashboard.

Vehicles are considered inoperable, and are eligible for immediate towing, if they are visibly missing:

  • The engine, or;A red car missing an engine and bumper.
  • The windshield, or;
  • The steering wheel, or;
  • The driver's seat, or;
  • Two or more wheels

 Above: An example of
an inoperable vehicle

Towed Vehicles

If you think your vehicle may have been towed, check the Police Department's vehicle impound website.

How to Request a Tow (Post-Storage) Hearing

The registered or legal owner of a vehicle, or their agent(s), may request a tow hearing (also called a post-storage hearing). A tow hearing will review the evidence used to make the decision to tow the vehicle.

To request a tow hearing, contact:

Department of Transportation – Tow Hearings 200 E. Santa Clara Street, San José, CA 95113. Call 408-975-3718.
  • Requests for a hearing may be made by mail, or by telephone.
  • Requests must be made within 10 days of the date on the PD notice.
  • An informal hearing will take place within two business days of the request. 
  • If the registered or legal owner disagrees with the decision made at the hearing, they may file a claim against the City using this form.

Resources