Notice and Hearing Requirements for Abandoned Vehicles

Comment by date: January 15, 2026

Rule Full Text
DSNY-Proposed-Amendments-Relating-to-Notice-Hearing-Requirements-for-Abandoned-Vehicles.pdf

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is responsible for the removal of certain abandoned vehicles within New York City. An abandoned vehicle, as described in section 1224(2) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL), includes vehicles parked on the street, without license plates, for more than 6 hours.

This proposed rule would set forth notice requirements to ensure that registered owners and other ascertainable interested parties (including any lienholders or other persons with a legal claim or security interest in an abandoned vehicle) are notified and provided an opportunity to claim the vehicle before the abandoned vehicle is dismantled, destroyed, or disposed of. This proposed rule would also establish procedures for an interested party to challenge the removal of an abandoned vehicle by DSNY or the fees imposed for towing and storage of an abandoned vehicle.

Specifically, this proposed rule would:
(1) Establish a notice process by which DSNY would send ascertainable owners and interested parties, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by email, if authorized, a notice containing the following information:
• a brief description of the abandoned vehicle;
• the date of such vehicle's removal;
• instructions on how to redeem such vehicle;
• all applicable towing and storage fees;
• instructions on how to request a hearing to challenge the removal of the vehicle and/or the imposition of towing and storage fees;
• examples of documents to demonstrate that the interested party is entitled to redeem such vehicle; and
• a statement of DSNY’s right to have such vehicle dismantled, destroyed or otherwise disposed of, unless, within 10 calendar days after the date on which such notice is sent, an interested party presents proof to the Department establishing lawful entitlement to possession of such vehicle and pays all applicable fees or requests a hearing.
(2) Provide an owner or interested party with an opportunity, within 10 calendar days from the date of the notice, to either redeem an abandoned vehicle or to challenge the removal of such vehicle and/or the imposition of any fees imposed.
(3) Describe the procedure by which an abandoned vehicle can be redeemed.
(4) Set forth the procedure to challenge the removal of an abandoned vehicle or the fees imposed, which would include a virtual hearing scheduled within 72 hours of a hearing request, subject to modification based on a request for a reasonable accommodation. A decision would be rendered within 5 business days and would constitute a final agency determination.
(5) State the applicable towing and storage fees based on the weight of a vehicle.

This proposed rule would ensure that all interested parties receive notice and an opportunity to be heard prior to an abandoned vehicle being dismantled, destroyed, or disposed of by DSNY.

Send comments by

• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: New York City Department of Sanitation, Bureau of Legal Affairs, 125 Worth Street Room/Floor: 710 ; New York, New York 10013

Public Hearings

Attendees who need reasonable accommodation for a disability such as a sign language translation should contact the agency by calling 1 (646) 885-4996 or emailing [email protected] by January 8, 2026