Vehicle Immobilization & Towing
Overview
Portland Community College (PCC) Transportation & Parking Services (TPS) may immobilize or tow vehicles on college-owned or controlled property for reasons related to safety, accountability, and enforcement of parking rules and regulations.
Who This Applies To
All vehicles parked on property owned or controlled by Portland Community College.
General Rules
Vehicle Immobilization (Boot)
Vehicles may be immobilized for the following reasons:
- To establish the identity of a driver associated with unpaid parking citations.
- To identify a driver when a vehicle has no visible license plate or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- To address repeated parking violations or continued accumulation of unpaid citations.
- To address serious violations of PCC parking rules and regulations.
Vehicle Towing
Vehicles may be towed for the following reasons:
- To remove vehicles blocking or obstructing roadways or walkways.
- To remove vehicles parked in safety areas, including fire lanes and emergency exits.
- To remove abandoned vehicles as outlined in ORS 98.810 and ORS 98.830.
- To remove unauthorized vehicles from parking spaces or areas designated for authorized vehicles only.
- To remove non-electric vehicles parked in electric vehicle charging stations.
Towing and Storage: Vehicles may be towed and stored at the vehicle owner’s expense. The vehicle owner is responsible for applicable towing and storage charges and any damages or liabilities arising from their violation of PCC parking rules and regulations, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Vehicle Immobilization Release
Drivers of immobilized vehicles must contact Transportation & Parking Services to request removal of the immobilization device.
Before a vehicle is released, drivers may be required to:
- Provide valid identification.
- Discuss the violations or circumstances that resulted in immobilization.
- Agree to pay for parking and display a valid parking permit.
- Agree to comply with all PCC parking rules and regulations.
- Agree to pay all past-due citations and applicable immobilization fees.
- Agree to pay or appeal citations within 30 calendar days of the citation issue date.
Within three business days of release, drivers will receive an email titled Vehicle Immobilization: Next Steps documenting the reasons for immobilization, the conditions acknowledged upon release, and instructions for resolving outstanding citations and fees.
Vehicle Towing and Recovery
Vehicles removed from PCC property may be relocated to another location on campus or transported to an authorized towing and storage facility.
Abandoned Vehicle Notices
Vehicles determined to be abandoned may be subject to towing in accordance with ORS 98.830.
- A Notice of Intent to Tow will be affixed to the vehicle’s windshield and remain in place for at least 72 hours before towing is authorized.
- When registered owner information is available, a written Notice of Intent to Tow will also be mailed to the address associated with the vehicle registration.
Towing and Storage Charges
Towing and storage charges are assessed by the towing provider in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Additional storage charges may accrue until the vehicle is recovered.
Tow Provider Contact Information
Sergeants Towing Inc.
24-hour vehicle recovery: 503-281-1948
To locate or recover a towed vehicle, contact Sergeants Towing Inc. directly.
Vehicle Immobilization Fees
Vehicle immobilization may result in fees assessed by Transportation & Parking Services.
Drivers requesting removal of an immobilization device may be responsible for applicable immobilization fees and outstanding citation balances associated with the vehicle.
Applicable fees and citation balances will be communicated to the driver during the release process.