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Abandoned vehicles

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A vehicle (eg car, truck, trailers etc) may be considered abandoned if:

• it is parked on a public roadway and
• it has been there for an unusual length of time, and
• the owner cannot be located, and/or
• it has a derelict appearance

Auckland City has no authority over vehicles abandoned on private property. For vehicles on public property:

• Removal of abandoned vehicles
• Reporting an abandoned vehicle
• Reclaiming an abandoned vehicle
• Recovering the cost of abandoned vehicles

Removal of abandoned vehicles

Before a vehicle can be declared to be legally abandoned, reasonable attempts are made to contact the owner and identify their interest in the vehicle. Where possible the last registered owner is contacted by letter and given 14 days to reply. Properties in the vicinity of the vehicle will be contacted to identify the owner. Auckland City also liaises with the Police to determine whether the vehicle has been stolen, if yes - the Police will notify the owner and the investigation will be put on hold.

If the owner is identified, they are required to relocate the vehicle to private property (at their own expense) and pay any parking tickets that have been issued. This process can take some time, usually around 21 days because of the legal nature of the investigation.

As long as a vehicle does not compromise road safety or obstruct a vehicle entrance, it will be left where it is during investigation. A notice may be placed on the vehicle advising the owner to contact a representative of Auckland City.

If an abandoned vehicle is illegally parked or causing a safety hazard, arrangements are made for it to be towed to safe storage. If a vehicle is considered to be a safety hazard it will be moved as soon as possible. This can include vehicles parked:

• on yellow lines
• obstructing entrances
• in permit holders only spaces without a permit
• dangerously
• on footpaths or cycle paths
• between clearway signs
• illegally on a bus stop
• all day on a "P" restriction and causing an obstruction

Reporting an abandoned vehicle

You can contact us to report an abandoned vehicle. To ensure we can resolve the problem as soon as possible, please have as much of the following information available as you can:

1. Where is the vehicle located?
2. What is the vehicle's make, model, colour and registration number?
3. How long has the vehicle been there?
4. Do you know the name of the vehicle's owner?

Reclaiming an abandoned vehicle

If your vehicle has not been disposed of you can reclaim it, but before the vehicle can be released you need to:

• Pay a fee of $100 ($55 investigation fee and $45 per tow) and pay storage costs of $10.00 per day at Auckland City's Civic Service Centre, 1 Greys Avenue, Auckland Central.
• Present receipt of payment to Parking Services, Level 4 Bledisloe House reception with proof of ownership of the vehicle and suitable identification.
• Advise of an off-street parking location (such as a garage or on private property) where your vehicle can be delivered.
  

Recovering the cost of abandoned vehicles

The Local Government Act 1974 Amendment Act 2006 allows territorial authorities to recover from the vehicle's last registered owner any costs incurred as a result of removing, storing and disposing of the vehicle.

In August 2007, Auckland City Council began invoicing the last registered owners of vehicles declared abandoned.