Abandoned vehicles include automobiles broken down on the side of the road, or those left on private property without the owner's permission.

Washington State Law (RCW 46.55.010) further defines abandoned vehicles as those having been impounded by a registered tow operator.

Where to report an abandoned vehicle:

The responding authority and removal process is dependent upon the location of the abandoned vehicle.

• Abandoned on County maintained roads
• Abandoned on private property or private road
• Abandoned on a state highway

Vehicles abandoned on County maintained roads:

The removal of vehicles abandoned in the right-of-way on roads maintained by Pierce County are the responsibility of the County.

Report to Pierce County Responds:

• Call (253) 798-4636
• Report on-line

What happens after you contact Pierce County Responds?

• Pierce County Responds forwards the information to the appropriate Pierce County Sheriff Detachment Office for processing and impound.
• The process of removing the vehicle may take several weeks due to the volume of calls received and limited law enforcement resources.
• The procedure used to enforce the impoundment of abandoned vehicles is found in Washington State Law, RCW 46.55.085 and 46.55.010.

Report to Pierce County Responds:

• Call (253) 798-4636
• Report on-line

What happens after you contact Pierce County Responds?

Pierce County Responds will provide the property owner with removal options including our recommendation to contact a licensed tow operator for removal [many tow operators will haul vehicles free of charge when the value of scrap metal is high, however, this is subject to change].

A current list of licensed tow operators is listed on Washington State Department of Licensing's Webpage.

How Can Pierce County Responds help?

If a vehicle has been abandoned on your property and meets junk vehicle criteria, Pierce County Responds is able to issue a Junk Vehicle Affidavit.

For more information, visit the Junk Vehicle Affidavit website or call Pierce County Responds at (253) 798-4636.

Report to the Washington State Patrol at (253) 536-6210.

The removal of vehicles abandoned in the right-of-way of State Highways maintained by the State of Washington is the responsbility of the State.

A list of Washington State Highways is available on the Washington State Department of Transportation's traffic website.