Report an Abandoned Vehicle

Service
Due to the increase of abandoned and junk vehicles on City property, we have modified our response so we can prioritize the removal of vehicles that create the biggest livability problems in our neighborhoods. Based on that, please take time to read our updated web page before submitting a report.
Burnt out minivan with hood up and faded paint and missing all windows. Abandoned and junk vehicle is parked on the street near a home.

Reporting should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Response times may vary.

Until further notice, the Parking Enforcement Abandoned Auto Unit will de-emphasize the enforcement and removal of abandoned automobiles where the only qualifying criterion is expired registration.  Though we will still take reports of vehicles with expired registration, they will only be investigated as resources and officer caseloads allow. We know this may be disappointing to some, but during this time we must focus our limited resources on the removal of obviously inoperative, disabled, wrecked, dismantled, or junked vehicles. Your patience is appreciated. 

Definition of an abandoned vehicle in Portland Code

Section 16.90.005 of the Portland City Code defines an abandoned vehicle as: 

A vehicle that remains in violation for more than 24 hours and one or more of the following conditions exist:

  • The vehicle does not have a lawfully affixed, unexpired registration plate, or fails to display current registration.
  • The vehicle appears to be inoperative or disabled.
  • The vehicle appears to be wrecked, partially dismantled, or junked.

Examples of abandoned or junk vehicles

The vehicle should meet at least one of the following criteria:  

  • Severely damaged by fire and appears inoperable   
  • Severely damaged from a crash and appears inoperable  
  • Missing the engine  
  • Missing or severely shattered windshield   
  • Missing parts or damaged in a manner that makes it appear inoperable
  • One or more flat tires
  • Up on blocks or jacks 
  • Boats, trailers, and occupied vehicles
  • No license plate or temporary permit
  • Registration or temporary permit expired more than 3 months

What is not considered an abandoned or junk vehicle under our current operating conditions

  • An unfamiliar vehicle parked in front of your property and/or has not moved for several days
  • A vehicle with no front license plate or out-of-state license plates
  • A vehicle double-parked, blocking a roadway, or blocking a driveway. Please report these violations to Parking Enforcement at 503-823-5195

Note: To report a suspicious vehicle parked in your neighborhood (for example, a vehicle you suspect to have been stolen), call the Police Non-Emergency Line at 503-823-3333.

How to report?

Please collect the following information for a report:

  • Your name and phone number
  • Which abandoned and junk automobile criteria does it meet
    • Example - flat tire, missing engine, registration expired more than six months, etc.
  • Location
    • Please report the street address. Example: 420 SW Main Street. If you cannot provide an exact address, please provide the street the vehicle is parked on and then the cross streets. Example: SW 4th Avenue between SW Main St. and SW Madison St. Do not submit an intersection. Example: SW Main and SW 10th. 
  • Vehicle make
    • Example - Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, etc. 
  • Vehicle style
    • Example - Pickup truck, 2 door coupe, 4 door sedan, travel trailer, flatbed trailer, etc. 
  • Vehicle color 
  • License plate state and number (if any) 
  • License plate expiration (if any). Please submit year and month - stickers on the lower right and left of the license plate.    

Reporting options for an abandoned or junk vehicle

Please choose one. Multiple reports will slow the process down.

  • Report through the online form below.
  • Report through the automated report hotline 24-hours per day.
  • Speak by phone directly to an operator. This option is only available Monday through Friday, except recognized City holidays, between the hours of 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. If no one answers during the above hours, please leave a message with your contact information, the abandoned vehicle criteria, vehicle location/information and license plate number.

Online report form

Form embedded below. Answer the first question and it will trigger next steps.

If this is a life-threatening emergency or to report a crime in progress, call 9-1-1.

Is someone living in the vehicle or is it part of an encampment?
Which of the following describes the vehicle you are reporting?

Next Steps

For a vehicle to be considered abandoned or junk, it must meet one of the criteria listed above.

The following are not considered an abandoned or junk vehicle under our current operating conditions:

  • An unfamiliar vehicle parked in front of your property and/or has not moved for several days
  • A vehicle with no front license plate
  • A vehicle double-parked, blocking a roadway, or blocking a driveway. Please report these violations to Parking Enforcement at 503-823-5195

Note: To report a suspicious vehicle parked in your neighborhood (for example, a vehicle you suspect to have been stolen), call the Police Non-Emergency Line at 503-823-3333.

Vehicle location

Is the location on private property?

Such as a home, apartment building, business, church, etc.

Next Steps

Abandoned vehicles on private property: You are reporting a potential code violation. You may want to first try talking to the property owner to see if the issue can be resolved. If not, please fill out the Bureau of Development Service's online violation reporting form, or call the Code Enforcement Line at 503-823-2633 to report your concern.

For property owners: You are responsible for addressing concerns on your property. If you would like additional information, please call 3-1-1 or 503-823-4000 so staff can assist you further.

Search the map for an address, cross streets, park, or community center. Or use the map to click a location.
Please provide any other details that might help us locate the vehicle you are reporting.

Vehicle info

Please provide as many details as possible about the abandoned vehicle if it seems safe to do so.

If the vehicle has a license plate, please select which state it's from.
If the vehicle has a license plate, please enter the number.

Finish your report

If appropriate, please include up to 3 photos of the issue you are reporting. Please do not include photos where other people are present and identifiable.
Maximum 3 files.
30 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, jpeg, png.
We will use your email to confirm your submission.
Confidentiality Waiver

It is City policy to keep the information you provide on this form confidential for the purposes of fulfilling your request. The City will also attempt to keep your information confidential in the event someone requests it be released as a public record under Oregon’s Public Records Law. If you would prefer to waive this confidentiality, please select that option below.

Contact

PBOT Abandoned or Junk Vehicle Report Hotline

phone number503-823-7309Report abandoned or junk vehicles 24/7 using the automated report hotline.

PBOT Abandoned or Junk Vehicle Information Line

phone number503-823-6814Information for vehicle owners or update an existing report. Speak with staff weekdays from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Related

Report an illegally parked vehicle

Topics

Transportation and roads

See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback.