State guide
Minnesota
Minnesota’s abandoned-vehicle rules are in Chapter 168B and are used by local governments, police, and impound lots, while title administration sits with Driver and Vehicle Services. The rules distinguish public locations, residential property, and vehicle-service facilities, with notice and waiting periods driving when a vehicle may be sold or disposed of.
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 Minnesota law, an abandoned vehicle includes a motor vehicle that is on private property for the period determined under section 168B.04 without the consent of the person in control of the property.
- Removing one from private property
- Minnesota allows immediate impoundment from properly posted residential property, and for certain private nonresidential vehicle-service properties it allows removal after five business days following certified-mail notice to the vehicle owner.
- Getting title to an abandoned vehicle
- Minnesota law says that if the vehicle is not reclaimed, the owner and lienholders waive their rights and consent to transfer of title, and a purchaser at an authorized sale receives a registrar-prescribed receipt that is sufficient title for registration and a new certificate of title.
- State agency
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services
Official resources in Minnesota
State statute listing when vehicles may be impounded from public and private locations.
State statute on five-day notice before removing an unauthorized vehicle from certain vehicle service facilities.
State statute on written notice of impound and waiver of rights if the vehicle is not reclaimed.
State statute on sale or disposal of unreclaimed abandoned or unauthorized vehicles and title effect of the purchaser’s receipt.
Official city page explaining Saint Paul reporting and post-impound notice timing.
Key facts for Minnesota
- Minnesota allows immediate impoundment of an unauthorized vehicle on properly posted residential property.
- At a motor-vehicle service, repair, or maintenance property, removal may occur five business days after certified-mail notice to the vehicle owner.
- Minnesota law authorizes the property owner or agent to remove that vehicle-service-facility vehicle after the five-day certified-mail notice.
- When an impounded vehicle is taken into custody, written notice must be sent within five days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.
- Failure to reclaim within the allowed period waives the owner’s and lienholders’ rights and consents to transfer of title and sale or disposal.
- A purchaser at an authorized sale receives a receipt prescribed by the registrar that is sufficient title and supports registration and a new title.
City abandoned-vehicle reporting in Minnesota
| City | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis 311 Hennepin | Minneapolis | 311 or 612-673-3000 | Official reporting channel for abandoned vehicles; the page says street reports require the vehicle to be parked more than 72 hours. |
| Saint Paul Police Ramsey | Saint Paul | 651-291-1111 | Official Saint Paul page says to contact police when the vehicle is on the street or public right of way. |
| Abandoned Vehicles Ramsey | Saint Paul | Not published* | Official city page explaining Saint Paul reporting and that certified letters are typically sent three to five business days after impound. |
| Fire Department Life Safety St. Louis | Duluth | 218-730-4380 | Official city page says abandoned vehicle complaints can be reported through the Blight Complaint Form or by calling Life Safety. |
| Blight Complaint Form St. Louis | Duluth | 218-730-4380 | Official complaint page used for abandoned vehicle, blight, illegal dumping, hoarding, and related complaints. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If the vehicle is on properly posted residential property, contact local police or the local reporting system immediately because Minnesota law allows immediate impoundment.
- If you run a repair or service property, send the certified-mail notice before towing and keep proof of mailing.
- If you buy an abandoned vehicle at an authorized sale, keep the registrar-prescribed receipt because Minnesota law treats it as sufficient title.
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 Minnesota's population center, for comparison only):
- City of Eau Claire Neighborhood Services, Wisconsin · about 107 miles
- Fargo Police - Parking & Abandoned Vehicles, North Dakota · about 192 miles
- Fargo Inspections Department, North Dakota · about 192 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Minnesota Statutes §168B.04
Website →Phone: (651) 296-8338 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Minnesota page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.