Request page · City services
Report an abandoned vehicle in Austin
A car untouched for weeks, or a junk vehicle nearby? APD Vehicle Abatement handles public streets; Austin Code handles junk vehicles on private property.
Short answer
Where the vehicle sits decides who handles it. On a public street, Austin Police Vehicle Abatement investigates reports filed through 311, tags the vehicle, and tows it if the owner does not move it. On private property, a junk or inoperative vehicle is a code violation handled by Austin Code. Either route starts with the exact location and photos taken from public space.
Who this is for
Austin residents with a vehicle that looks abandoned on their street or a junk vehicle sitting on a nearby property.
The steps, in order
- Pin the exact location: the street address or block where the vehicle sits.
- Take dated photos from the sidewalk or street. Note the make, color, plate, and condition without touching the vehicle.
- Decide the route: public street means APD Vehicle Abatement through 311; private property means a code complaint.
- File the report through Austin 311 online or by phone and describe how long the vehicle has not moved.
- Save the 311 case number. If the vehicle is still there after the tag window, follow up with that number.
Have this ready
- The exact location of the vehicle
- Make, color, plate, and condition if you can see them
- Photos taken from public space
- How long the vehicle has been there
Common mistakes to avoid
- Touching or entering the vehicle for proof. Photograph it from public space only.
- Reporting a private-property junk vehicle to the police route; that one goes to Austin Code instead.
- Calling it stolen. Unless you own the vehicle, report it as abandoned and let the officer run the plates.
Common questions
How long before Austin tows an abandoned vehicle?
After a report, an officer inspects and tags the vehicle with a warning. If the owner does not move it inside the window on the tag, the city can tow it. Timelines vary by case load.
Can I report an abandoned vehicle anonymously in Austin?
Yes. Austin 311 accepts anonymous reports, though contact information helps if the officer cannot find the vehicle.
What about a junk vehicle in a neighbor's yard?
A vehicle that is inoperative or missing parts on private property is a code violation, not a police matter. Report it through the code violation route instead.
Official sources
Checked August 26, 2026. Recheck the official page monthly and when the official page changes.
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