Report illegal parking in Austin: 311 and enforcement

Short answer

Illegal parking on Austin public streets is handled by Transportation and Public Works parking enforcement, dispatched through 311. Report the exact location, the violation, and how long the vehicle has been there. A blocked driveway or a safety hazard like a hydrant, crosswalk, or bike lane gets priority, so say it explicitly when you report. The city code update approved February 13, 2025 added violations for blocking bike lanes, misusing EV charging stations, and parking in special-event right-of-way closures. The department does not tow vehicles; keep the 311 case number for follow-up if the vehicle stays.

Who this is for

Austin residents dealing with an illegally parked vehicle on a public street: a blocked driveway, sidewalk or crosswalk parking, a hydrant, a bike lane, or a no-parking zone.

Next steps

1. Pin the exact location: the address or the block and the nearest cross street.
2. Name the violation: blocked driveway, sidewalk, hydrant, crosswalk, bike lane, or no-parking zone.
3. Take a dated photo from public space showing the vehicle and the violation, with the plate if visible.
4. Report through Austin 311 online, in the app, or by phone; if your driveway is blocked, say so explicitly because it changes the response priority.
5. Save the 311 case number for follow-up if the vehicle stays.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Blocking the vehicle in or leaving an angry note; report it and let enforcement make the contact
• Using the parking route for a vehicle on private property; that follows the code or private-tow path instead
• Leaving out that your driveway is blocked, which lowers the response priority
• Expecting a tow; Austin Transportation and Public Works does not tow vehicles

Key facts

• Illegal parking on public streets goes to Austin 311 and is handled by Transportation and Public Works parking enforcement.
• A blocked driveway or safety hazard gets priority; say it explicitly when you report.
• The February 2025 code update added violations for blocking bike lanes, misusing EV charging stations, and parking in event right-of-way closures.

Checked September 9, 2026 against the official source.

Common questions

How do I report a car blocking my driveway in Austin?

Report it to Austin 311 online, in the app, or by phone and say the driveway is blocked; blocked driveways and safety hazards get priority over simple overstays. Pin the exact address and keep the case number.

Will Austin tow an illegally parked car?

Austin Transportation and Public Works says it does not tow vehicles. Parking enforcement officers can cite the vehicle; towing follows separate processes. Report through 311 and keep the case number for follow-up.

Is parking in a bike lane illegal in Austin?

Yes. The city code update approved February 13, 2025 created a specific violation for vehicles illegally blocking a bike lane, along with new violations for misusing EV charging stations and parking in special-event right-of-way closures.

Official sources

• Austin parking regulations and tickets
• Austin 311 service request

Checked September 9, 2026. Recheck the official page monthly and when the official page changes.

Related resident guides

• How do you fight a parking ticket in Austin?
• Find my towed car in Austin: official lookup, lot, and fees
• Austin 311 help: report and track a city issue