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Abandoned Vehicles
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One thing's for sure - Indianapolis loves cars, whether they're racing around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or sitting safely on your driveway. But they're not that loveable when they're resting lifeless and abandoned to the weather and the weeds. Abandoned Vehicles (ABV's) pose a threat to public health and safety. Our children can be hurt while using them as a 'playground', and rodents and other animals will be glad to turn them into well-built housing units. |
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That's why the Department of Public Works (DPW) administers a contract to ticket, tow, and dispose of abandoned vehicles, as authorized by Section 611-301 of the Municipal Code.
TELL US ABOUT IT
To report a vehicle you suspect has been abandoned, report the exact location and description of the vehicle to the Mayor's Action Center (MAC) online, or call (317) 327-4MAC (327-4622). You will be told your report's assigned Tracking Number, and your report will be forwarded to the City's Abandoned Vehicle Contractor (presently Last Chance Wrecker). The Contractor will then check on the reported vehicle. To find out how your report is being taken care of, you can contact the Mayor's Action Center later, mention the Tracking Number, and ask what its status is.
ON THE STREET?
If it is located on a street, alley, or other public right-of-way, the Contractor will 'Tag' it. This tag is intended to notify the vehicle's owner that they have three (3) days to move the vehicle
If it is not moved within this time limit, the Contractor will then tow the vehicle to DPW's Abandoned Vehicle Lot at 2700 South Belmont Avenue. This lot is located on the second driveway to the left, inside the fence, as you enter South Belmont Avenue going south from its stoplight intersection with West Raymond Street.
IN THE YARD?
Removal with a Property Owner's Consent to Tow
IF:
- A vehicle has been on private property for more than 48 hours without the property owner's consent, or
- A citizen will attest that the vehicle has not moved for 21 days.
THEN:
- Initial inspection by a Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) Zoning Inspector or by an Environmental Health Services (EHS) Inspector from the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County.
- DPW Contractor will tag the vehicle and tow it after 72 hours.
In both instances the City/County agent is required to obtain a signed affidavit noting that the above conditions are met.
*Under the state abandoned vehicle statute, a vehicle more than three model years old, mechanically inoperable, and left on the property continuously in a location visible from public property for 20 days can be removed from the property without the owner's consent.
Removal without a Property Owner's Consent to Tow
Step 1
- Initial inspection and documentation by a DMD or EHS Inspector.
Step 2 - 18 days after the initial inspection.
- If still in violation of zoning ordinance, the DMD inspector issues a $50.00 citation.
- If still in violation of Chapter 10 of the Health and Hospital Code, the EHS inspector will issue a prepayable $100.00 ticket.
Step 3 - 21 days after the initial inspection (If the vehicle is still present, the DPW Contractor will return on day 21).
- DPW Contractor will tag vehicle, and tow it after 72 hours.
- After the vehicle is towed, the DPW Contractor alerts the MAC, which will close the case.
WHEN IMPOUNDING IS INVOLVED
DPW also receives vehicles from the local police impounding process. Normally, such vehicles will remain impounded for either ten (10) or eleven (11) days, depending upon what time of day they become impounded. If circumstances require, the vehicle will remain impounded for weeks or months.
Once the police release such a vehicle from their jurisdiction, it goes to the Abandoned Vehicle Lot, but is not processed for sale or recycling for twenty-six (26) days.
COME AND GET IT
Once an abandoned vehicle is on the Abandoned Vehicle Lot, the title records of the Indiana State Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be searched to identify both the owner and any lien holders connected with the vehicle. They will then be notified by letter, informing them that DPW has current possession of the vehicle. They will also be informed about the following procedures required (within either fifteen (15) days for abandoned vehicles, or within twenty-six (26) days for impounded vehicles) to re-take possession of the vehicle and prevent its being sold at auction.
To claim your vehicle, you must:
- Supply proof of ownership (the Title) and photo identification.
- Pay a towing fee of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00).
- Pay the storage fees, at a rate of Ten Dollars ($10.00) per day.
- Pay any impounding fees if applicable.
SOLD!--TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER
Vehicles not claimed by their owner within fifteen (15) days after DPW has placed them on its Abandoned Vehicle Lot are put up for auction, every Thursday, at the Lot.
Public viewing of each week's available vehicles starts every Thursday at 10:00 a.m., with all for-sale vehicles located together in the manned Sale Lot. You can also view the list of each week's for-sale vehicles at the Last Chance Wrecker website.
The auction begins at 12:00 noon. There will be a minimum standing bid of Fifty Dollars [$50.00] on each vehicle, offered by a local scrap dealer to ensure that no eligible vehicle will go unsold. You may purchase more than one [1] vehicle during each auction session.
Each bidder must be prepared to pay the following--
- A refundable deposit of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). If you are a successful bidder, the deposit will be credited as part of the total winning bid price(s).
- A Buyers' Fee. The minimum Fee is Thirty Dollars ($30.00) per vehicle, for any vehicle with a purchase price of up to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). For vehicles with a purchase price over One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), the Buyer's Fee is three percent (3%) of the purchase price, with a maximum fee of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00).
- A Key-making Fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) per vehicle purchased, if needed.
- A Title Application Fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00) per vehicle purchased. (This Fee is optional.)
If you would like to report a suspected abandoned vehicle, please contact the Mayor's Action Center online, or call (317) 327-4MAC for assistance.
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