Vehicles

Assorted Info regarding Junked Cars, Oversize Vehicles, More . . .

Junked Motor Vehicles

Very often we drive past Junk Motor Vehicles daily and don't even realize it because there is nothing outward about them being inoperable.

It's when they're without wheels, or have flats that never get filled, have broken or missing windows, obvious signs of an accident and more that they draw our attention to them. These types of vehicles are not allowed to remain permanently on public view.

From CoT website regarding Junked Motor Vehicles:

Junked motor vehicles are not allowed to be stored on private property unless in compliance with permitted storage provisions. This includes any motor vehicle subject to Arizona registration, but without a lawfully affixed unexpired number or license plate from any state, and in addition, exhibits one or more of the following conditions:

Wrecked
Partially or fully dismantled
Abandoned
Stripped
Substantially damaged
Inoperative or inoperable
Unused
Scrapped
Being a hulk or shell
Discarded
Unable to be safely operated

Just what is Permitted Storage Provisions?

There's quite a LONG and detailed answer to that which can be found under City Code, entitled Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance. Under Section 16-15, the definition and application of the ordinance is outlined.

But for general purposes, it's basically saying that a private residence can have a junk or inoperable vehicle as long as it is hidden from public view either in the back yard or an enclosed carport etc. It can NOT be covered with a tarp or car cover and considered hidden from view.

REPORT JUNKED CARS TO TUCSON 311

⁠Tucson 311 Service Request Portal

You can easily submit a request online using the ⁠Tucson 311 Service Request Portal, by using the Tucson 311 mobile app, or by simply calling 311 directly.

Depending on the specific location of the vehicle, here are the most effective ways to address the issue:

Public Right-of-Way / City Streets: For a car abandoned on a public street or in a neighborhood, Tucson 311 is the appropriate contact to route the issue to the Department of Transportation and Mobility.
Private Property: If the junked or inoperable vehicle is on private property, you should file a complaint directly with ⁠Tucson Code Enforcement by calling (520) 791-5843.
State / County Highways: If the vehicle is abandoned along state highways, interstates, or on unlisted rural roads, you can also report it to the ⁠Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

When submitting your report, be prepared to provide the vehicle's exact location, make, model, color, license plate number, and how long it has been parked there.

Oversize Vehicles It is against Tucson parking for semi trucks to be parked in the Dodge Flower Neighborhood. Calling TPD non-emergency to report a parked semi is really the only option. They'll find the driver/owner and ask for it to be moved.

Abandoned or Stolen Vehicles

Notice a car just remaining parked for weeks on end? It might be stolen and in need of reporting:

Here's a quick and handy link to a page to check to see if a vehicle has been stolen:

https://theftaz.azag.gov/

Even if it doesn't turn up as stolen, it might be abandoned. Call TPD non-emergency ( 791-4444 ) and if it doesn't belong to someone in the area, they'll send out an officer to proceedings to get it towed away.