Process for towing vehicles due to overdue citations and fees
The Oregon State Circuit Court of Multnomah County, issues court orders authorizing police officers and parking code enforcement officers to immobilize and/or tow vehicles pending payment of unpaid parking citations and associated fines. Vehicles that have unpaid parking citations and fees totaling more than $500 or six delinquent citations are subject to being towed. The order is commonly referred to as a “tag warrant.”
When a police officer or parking code enforcement officer identifies a vehicle with a tag warrant being operated or parked on a city street, there are two options - immediately tow the vehicle or apply an immobilization device commonly known as a “boot.”
If the vehicle is towed, it goes directly to the contracted tow company lot. The vehicle is then held at the lot pending release by the court. If the vehicle is booted, it is immobilized at the location where it was found pending a release from the court. If the owner does not gain a release from the court by noon (12pm) the day after the warning is issued, the vehicle will be towed by a contracted tow company and held at their lot.
On Aug. 3, 2016, the City Council gave PBOT code authority to “immobilize” vehicle booting instead of towing. This gives people the opportunity to see a judge or resolve their parking fines before their vehicle is towed, which incurs additional charges.
As a result of legislation from the 1970s, Multnomah County Circuit Court handles all of the City’s parking and traffic citations. This also includes issuing tag warrants for vehicles that meet the criteria above.
Vehicle towing and storage fees
Rates effective July 1, 2024
Standard tow rates
| Rate type | Class A (most passenger vehicles) | Class B (vehicles >10,000-lb GVW) | Class C (vehicles >20,000-lb GVW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base rate+ | $176 | $249 | $399/hour |
| Dispatch fee | $22 | $22 | $22 |
| City service fee* | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| TOTAL | $248 | $321 | $471 minimum |
*An additional $16 parking enforcement fee will be applied for tows requested by Parking Enforcement. Base Rate+ includes up to 30 minutes on scene.
Storage rates
| Vehicle size | First 4 hours after tow | Up to 24 hours after tow | Each additional 24 hours or part thereof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | No charge | $32 | $32 |
| Class B | No charge | $41 | $41 |
| Class C | No charge | $49 | $49 |
Rates for additional services
| Service | Class A | Class B | Class C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gate fee (access to or release of vehicle after business hours or on holidays) | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Lien filing fees (for vehicles valued up to $2,500) | $75 | $75 | $75 |
| Lien filing fees (for vehicles valued more than $2,500) | $175 | $175 | $175 |
| Extra truck (includes extra person) | $80 for first 1/2 hour, $21 per 1/4 hour thereafter | $153/hour on scene | $399/hour |
| Extra person | $65/hour on scene | $65/hour on scene | $85/hour on scene |
| Drop fee | $65 + dispatch | $78 + dispatch | $111 + dispatch |
| Out of district / excessive mileage | $6/mile | $6/mile | $0 |
| Standby/recovery time | $27 per 1/4 hour after 30 minutes on scene | $30 per 1/4 hour after 30 minutes on scene | n/a |
Note: there is no additional booting fee at this time.
Questions about these rates? Contact PBOT's Towing Program at 503-823-7483
Download current rates:
Getting a vehicle released
Work with the court
The owner, after learning of the tow or boot, must contact Multnomah County Circuit Court (see contact info below). The court will require full payment of the unpaid fines and fees, or the owner can enter into a payment plan to pay the unpaid fines and fees at the court’s discretion. Once that is complete, the court will release the hold. If it was towed, the owner will retrieve their vehicle from the tow company. If it was booted, the boot will be removed by PBOT.
Required documents for release
The court provides these additional details for people who have vehicles immobilized or towed. If your vehicle was immobilized or towed because of an order to tow issued by the court due to unpaid parking citations, to obtain a release for the vehicle, you MUST:
- Provide proof of ownership; AND
- Proof of registration; AND
- Proof of insurance on the vehicle; AND
- Have a valid driver's license; AND
Paying the court, address and hours
Customers can pay the Court through the normal process in person. Customers can see a judge at the 10:30 am or 3:30 pm tow dockets. You will need to show up 30 minutes before the start of the docket with your paperwork to get checked in.
Pay, in full, all outstanding citations with cash, a money order, a cashier’s check or credit/debit card that is in your name. Payment plans may be available, if authorized by a judge.
If you wish to use a credit/debit card that is in another person’s name, the cardholder must appear with you and present a valid government issued photo ID. You cannot pay for a vehicle release over the phone or online. You and the person paying for the release of the vehicle MUST appear in person at the:
Multnomah County Courthouse - Customer Service Department
1200 SW First Ave., 2nd Floor
Portland, OR 97204.
Open weekdays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (excluding holidays)
Customer Service: 971-274-0590 (Phones answered weekdays 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 4 p.m.)
Boot removal
Boots will stay on vehicles for up to 36 hours before being towed. If the customer is making arrangements with Multnomah County Circuit Court and more time is needed, PBOT will accommodate that. It is not the intention of PBOT to store vehicles in the right-of-way for a significant amount of time.
Vehicles do not accrue parking citations while they are booted. After making arrangements with the court, PBOT Parking Enforcement will remove the boot. PBOT projects the estimated wait time for a boot removal to be less than 2 hours in most circumstances.
Only a representative of the court, PBOT Parking Enforcement, or another authorized party may remove a boot.
Unauthorized removal/destruction of the boot may incur additional fines or penalties.
Financial assistance
PBOT oversees a towing hardship fund designed to assist low-income individuals in retrieving their towed and impounded vehicles. This fund can provide up to $300 to cover towing and storage expenses, subject to availability. To qualify, applicants must meet certain criteria, and there is an appeal process available for those who need further assistance. For more information on the qualifying criteria and the application process, visit our website at: