State guide
Massachusetts
Massachusetts treats abandoned-vehicle ownership changes as RMV "involuntary transfers." State law ties street and property enforcement to local officials and police, while title paperwork runs through the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- When a vehicle counts as abandoned
- Under Massachusetts law, an apparently abandoned motor vehicle may be removed if it has stood more than 72 hours on a public or private way, or on property without the owner’s or lessee’s permission.
- Removing one from private property
- A person in lawful control of a private way or improved or enclosed property may have a vehicle removed, but must notify the local chief of police or, in Boston, the police commissioner before removal unless the vehicle owner consents.
- Getting title to an abandoned vehicle
- Massachusetts RMV treats abandoned vehicles as involuntary transfers; for an abandoned vehicle transfer, the RMV says a bill of sale from the government entity selling the vehicle stating the statute authorizing the sale is required.
- State agency
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
- Official forms or instructions
- Official page →
Official resources in Massachusetts
RMV instructions for abandoned-vehicle ownership transfers and other involuntary title transactions.
State statute on when apparently abandoned motor vehicles may be removed and disposed of.
State statute on towing vehicles from private ways or enclosed property and required police notice.
RMV forms list including the Affidavit of Sale of Involuntarily Towed Vehicle.
City page for Boston reporting, enforcement, and auctions of abandoned vehicles.
Key facts for Massachusetts
- A motor vehicle standing more than 72 hours on a public or private way, or on property without permission, may be treated as apparently abandoned.
- A private-property tow without the vehicle owner’s consent requires notice to the local chief of police or Boston police commissioner before removal.
- That private-property notice must include the tow-from address, tow-to address, registration number, property controller, and towing company.
- RMV says an abandoned vehicle is an involuntary transfer.
- For an abandoned vehicle transfer, RMV requires a bill of sale from the government entity selling the vehicle that states the statute allowing the sale.
- Boston says the city can take possession of vehicles left on City streets for more than 72 hours.
City abandoned-vehicle reporting in Massachusetts
| City | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation Department Suffolk | Boston | 617-635-4680 | Handles Boston abandoned and impounded vehicle information and directs residents to BOS:311 reporting. |
| BOS:311 Suffolk | Boston | Not published* | Boston’s official non-emergency reporting channel for abandoned vehicles. |
| Worcester 311 Requests Worcester | Worcester | Not published* | Official Worcester reporting channel for abandoned vehicles and other service requests. |
| Streets Division, Department of Public Works & Parks Worcester | Worcester | Not published* | City division responsible for Worcester’s abandoned vehicle program. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If a vehicle is on your private way or enclosed property, notify local police before towing and keep a copy of the notice details.
- For title paperwork after a governmental sale, start with the RMV involuntary-transfers instructions and collect the selling government entity’s bill of sale.
- If the vehicle is on a city street, report it through the city’s 311 system so the local abandoned-vehicle process starts.
Not seeing your city or county?
Not every city publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Massachusetts's population center, for comparison only):
- Pawtucket Zoning & Code Enforcement Information, Rhode Island · about 28 miles
- PVD311 Abandoned Vehicle to Report, Rhode Island · about 31 miles
- Public Works Service Requests — SeeClickFix, New Hampshire · about 33 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Massachusetts RMV — Involuntary transfers
Website →Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Massachusetts page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.