How to get abandoned and dangerous vehicles removed
Sharing the following from the DC Department of Public Works website.
DPW’s inspectors circulate throughout the District looking for abandoned and dangerous vehicles to investigate then remove from public and private property. Dangerous vehicles may be removed from public and private property immediately, once they have been ticketed. Abandoned vehicles will be removed within five business days from public space and 45 days from private property.
An "Abandoned vehicle" is any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is left, parked or stored on public space for more than 48 hours or on private property for more than 30 days, and to which at least two (2) of the following apply:
(A) The vehicle is extensively damaged, including fire damage
(B) The vehicle is apparently inoperable, including a vehicle missing its transmission, motor, or one or more tires, and which is not undergoing emergency repair;
(C) The vehicle serves as harborage for rats, vermin, and other pests; or
(D) The vehicle does not display valid tags or a valid registration sticker.
A "Dangerous vehicle" is any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that, as a result of the presence of rats, vermin, or other pests, exposed glass or metal shards, or other dangerous condition poses an imminent hazard to the public health, safety, or welfare. Any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is in a wrecked, dismantled, or irreparable condition, or destroyed by fire, is per se a dangerous vehicle.
Note: DPW personnel may enter private property in some circumstances where an abandoned or dangerous vehicle is involved to eliminate threats to public safety, as governed by “The Removal and Disposition of Abandoned and Other Unlawfully Parked Vehicles Reform Act of 2003.”
How You Can Help
Report an abandoned or dangerous vehicle by calling the PEMA Customer Service Department at (202) 541-6083 or the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311, whether on public or private space.
Report an Abandoned/Dangerous Vehicle on Private Property using 311.dc.gov.
Report an Abandoned/Dangerous Vehicle on Public Property using 311.dc.gov.