How to Report a (Possibly) Abandoned Vehicle in Portland, Oregon
- laurathelawlib
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
Note: Do not confuse an "Abandoned Vehicle" report with an "Illegally Parked Vehicle" report. (Think the proverbial "it's the same, but it's not the same" and you'll grasp the distinction.)
Reporting Abandoned Vehicles:
FIRST: Be prepared with as much of the following information as you can acquire safely. See this webpage for a full list: https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/abandoned-auto
Your name, phone number, exact location or address of the vehicle, how long it has been parked, description of vehicle, VIN (vehicle identification number, usually visible on the dash thru the driver’s side windscreen), license plate number(s) (front and rear), registration tag date, description of vehicle (make, model if known), and condition of the vehicle (e.g. broken windows, flat tires, etc). Take a picture of the vehicle, license plate(s), and any damage, if you can do so safely.
SECOND: Quick and seldom effective but the right place to begin and worth a try:
Call 311, which may refer you to Parking Enforcement Dispatch, where you will leave a message: 503-823-5195
If nothing happens within a week or so (please don't let it go on for months), try these, and maybe farm out each step to different neighbors!
THIRD: Follow this “Report an Abandoned Vehicle” procedure and complete the “Online report form” at the bottom of the webpage:
FOURTH: Talk to someone in your local police precinct. For example, Portland Police East Precinct Open House: https://www.mttaborpdx.org/single-post/portland-police-east-precinct-open-house-tuesdays-at-1-30
FIFTH: If follow-up is needed, and it usually will be, put aside some time, make yourself a refreshing beverage, have your abandoned vehicle description notes in front of you, breathe deeply, and then do one or more of the following:
a) The City doesn’t make this easy, so you might also want to check out these phone numbers (from sidebar on the above website). Contact:
PBOT Abandoned or Junk Vehicle Report Hotline: 503-823-7309
Report abandoned or junk vehicles 24/7 using the automated report hotline, “PBOT Abandoned or Junk Vehicle Information Line”: 503-823-6814
Call Parking Enforcement Dispatch: 503-823-5195 (again)
b) Can't hurt: Call the police non-emergency number: 503-823-3333
Teachable moment! If still nothing has happened after a few weeks and you haven't decided to sell your house and leave town - and the still parked on your street abandoned vehicle - call your City Council member (or all 3) or even the Mayor. They may need to add to this "How To" process to their very long To Do List.
Illegally Parked Vehicle Report:
Keep in mind that reporting an illegally parked vehicle (often a more dire situation than an abandoned vehicle) is somewhat different process IF the vehicle is blocking a fire lane, in a right of way, and otherwise presenting a clear and present danger to pedestrians and others:
If a clear and present danger, call 911.
One can also report an illegally parked vehicle using the tips on this webpage, e.g. Police non-emergency line (503-823-3333):
https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/report-illegally-parked-vehicle
This blog post was published on 7/22/25, by Laura O.
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