VEHICLE IMPOUNDMENT

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances tit. 18, ch. 478, art. X

in effect

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1040 Reserved.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1041 Impoundment defined.

478.1041. - Impoundment defined. "Impoundment" means removal of a vehicle to a storage facility or impound lot by a contractor for towing in response to an authorization from a police officer, traffic control agent or other agent authorized by the City of Minneapolis. (84-Or-064, § 2, 4-13-84; 2011-Or-087, § 1, 9-23-11)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1042 When a vehicle may be impounded.

478.1042. - When a vehicle may be impounded. Vehicle impoundment shall proceed pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapters 168B and 169 and all other applicable laws. (84-Or-064, § 3, 4-13-84; 2011-Or-087, § 2, 9-23-11)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1043 Reserved.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1044 Notice to owners.

478.1044. - Notice to owners. (a) Not more than seventy-two (72) hours after impoundment of any vehicle, the supervisor of impound and towing, or the designee thereof, shall mail a notice to the registered owner of the vehicle, as may be disclosed by the vehicle license number, if such be obtainable, and to any other person, including lienholders, who claims the right to possession of the vehicle, if such a claim is known. The notice shall be mailed to the registered owner at the address provided by the Motor Vehicle Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety or the corresponding agency of any other state or province. If the person mailing the notice has reason to believe that an owner, or one who claims to be an owner, is residing or in custody at some different address, a copy of the notice shall also be mailed or personally delivered to such owner or claimant in a manner designed, as nearly as may be practicable, to give actual notice to him or her. The notice shall contain the full particulars of the impoundment, redemption, and opportunity for a hearing to test the propriety of the impoundment as hereinafter provided. If a vehicle is redeemed prior to the mailing of notice, then notice need not be mailed. Saturdays, Sundays and city holidays are to be excluded from the calculation of the seventy-two-hour period. (b) Similar notice shall be given to each person who seeks to redeem an impounded vehicle by posting in a conspicuous place at the impound lot a sign describing redemption procedures. (84-Or-064, § 5, 4-13-84; 2011-Or-087, § 4, 9-23-11)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1045 Reserved.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1046 Redemption of impounded vehicles.

478.1046. - Redemption of impounded vehicles. (a) Only the registered owner, a person authorized by the registered owner, a lienholder of record, or one who has purchased a vehicle from the registered owner, who produces proof of ownership or authorization, may redeem an impounded vehicle. Impounded vehicles may be redeemed under the following circumstances: (1) Upon payment at the impound lot of the towing and storage costs prior to redeeming such vehicle. The impound lot shall accept cash, major bank credit cards, certified bank drafts, money orders, and personal checks in payment for such costs; provided, however, that if such a personal check is offered in payment for such costs, the person so offering the same may be required to show evidence of identity by two (2) pieces of identification which may include a driver's license, Minnesota state identification card, other credit cards, or similar forms of identification; provided further, however, if there is reasonable cause to believe the tendered check is uncollectible, acceptance of such check may be refused; or (2) Upon a finding by the Supervisor of Impound and Towing or a Claims Investigator of the City of Minneapolis that there was no probable cause to impound the vehicle. Upon such a finding, the towing charges shall be paid by the city in accordance with interdepartmental billing procedures. However, if the vehicle is not redeemed on the same day of such a finding, the person redeeming the vehicle shall be liable for all subsequent storage charges; or (3) Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction. (b) Towing charges shall be assessed against vehicles impounded as stolen vehicles and vehicles impounded for law enforcement investigatory purposes. Storage charges shall also be assessed against said vehicles unless the supervisor of impound and towing or a claims investigator of the City of Minneapolis determines the storage charges or part thereof to be unreasonable. (c) Vehicles which are not redeemed are subject to sale as provided in section 478.1150. (84-Or-064, § 7, 4-13-84; 2011-Or-087, § 6, 9-23-11)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1050 Bids for impound towers required.

478.1050. - Bids for impound towers required. The purchasing agent shall advertise for bids by persons, firms or corporations desiring to act as impound towers of vehicles impounded under the provisions of this article. The notice for bids shall describe the district from which vehicles shall be towed. The publication of notice for such bids, the filing of bids, and the procedure in the acceptance of such bids shall be in accordance with the procedures of the purchasing department. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.020; 83-Or-009, § 2, 1-14-83)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1055 Referral to city council; acceptance of bids.

478.1055. - Referral to city council; acceptance of bids. Such bids, when received, shall be referred to the city council and by it considered. The notice shall recite that the council reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Upon the acceptance of bids in the various districts, each successful bidder shall be the impound tower within the towing district described in the notice for bids. After the acceptance of said bids and the designation of the impound tower in each of the towing districts, any vehicle ordered to be impounded by any police officer, traffic control agent or other agent authorized by the City of Minneapolis shall be immediately towed to the city impound lot or other designated location by the impound tower. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.030; 83-Or-009, § 3, 1-14-83; 84-Or-064, § 8, 4-13-84; 2011-Or-087, § 7, 9-23-11)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1060 Impound tower to be bonded.

478.1060. - Impound tower to be bonded. The person, firm or corporation whose bid is accepted shall file with the city finance officer a bond in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) conditioned upon the proper handling and safekeeping of towed motor vehicles, accessories and personal property, reimbursement of the city and owners for loss thereof. Such bond shall be approved by the city attorney. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.040; 83-Or-009, § 4, 1-14-83; 85-Or-120, 6-14-85)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1070 Towing and storage charges.

478.1070. - Towing and storage charges. The charge for towing and storage including administration and clerical expenses shall be set by the city. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.050; 83-Or-009, § 5, 1-14-83)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1080 Charge when owner appears before towing.

478.1080. - Charge when owner appears before towing. Where a police officer, traffic control agent or other agent authorized by the City of Minneapolis has ordered the impoundment of a vehicle from public property and the owner or operator thereof appears before the vehicle has been hooked to the tow truck and the wheels thereof hoisted from the ground, the tow truck operator shall release the said vehicle without payment of any fee or towing charge. Where the owner or operator of a vehicle being towed from public property appears after the vehicle has been hooked to the tow truck and the wheels thereof hoisted from the ground, or appears after a power winch has been used to move the vehicle, or appears after the vehicle has been moved forward but before the vehicle has been removed from the block upon which it was parked, the tow truck operator shall release the vehicle only upon the payment of a service fee not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) from November 15th through April 1st, and not to exceed five dollars ($5.00) during other times of the year. The tow truck operator shall give a receipt for each service fee received. This section shall not apply to vehicles impounded as an abandoned vehicle pursuant to Minn. Statute Chapter 168B or as a scofflaw vehicle pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 169.041(5)(b)(13). The tow truck operator shall comply with the provisions of section 349.185. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.060; 83-Or-009, § 6, 1-14-83; 84-Or-064, § 9, 4-13-84; 88-Or-198, § 1, 10-28-88; 2011-Or-087, § 8, 9-23-11)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1090 Licenses and permits required.

478.1090. - Licenses and permits required. An impound tower under contract with the city shall abide by all contractual requirements and all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations. An impound tower shall see to and require that every tow truck operator employed by the impound tower shall have in his possession a driver's registration and identification in a form approved by the supervisor of impound and towing and no person shall act as a tow truck operator in the towing of any vehicle to be impounded without having in his possession such registration and identification, and such tow truck operator shall exhibit such registration and identification to the owner of the vehicle or his agent upon request therefor. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.070; 83-Or-009, § 7, 1-14-83; 2011-Or-087, § 9, 9-23-11)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1100 Notice to owners.

478.1100. - Notice to owners. The city will endeavor to notify record owners and lien holders of impounded vehicles not claimed within a reasonable time of said impoundment by U.S. mail upon receipt of records of ownership from the registrar of motor vehicles of the state. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.080; 83-Or-009, § 8, 1-14-83)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1110 Reserved.

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1120 Release form.

478.1120. - Release form. Upon return of the vehicle the city shall release the same by a release in writing which shall state the date of such release together with the charges enumerated thereon and the purpose for which such charges were made. The city shall retain the original of such release and shall deliver one copy thereof to the owner of the vehicle. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.100; 83-Or-009, § 10, 1-14-83)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1130 Soliciting towing; damaged vehicles.

478.1130. - Soliciting towing; damaged vehicles. The impound tower shall not solicit, directly or indirectly, the impounding or towing of cars under this article. If any unoccupied vehicle is found upon the streets of the city in such a damaged condition as a result of accident or disrepair that it cannot be driven, and is so located as to constitute an obstruction of the street, the same may be ordered impounded by the police or other authorized official; provided, that if the owner or operator thereof has requested, or does request, that such vehicle be towed, at his own expense, to his own or to any garage or lot other than the city's lot, neither the police department nor anyone else shall order such vehicle to be impounded in any public pound unless the police department considers possession of such car is necessary in the prosecution of any person for violation of law. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.110; 83-Or-009, § 11, 1-14-83)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1140 Vehicles to be tagged.

478.1140. - Vehicles to be tagged. Any unoccupied vehicle or damaged car ordered impounded by the police or other authorized official shall immediately be tagged. The tag shall show the disposition of the car and the offense for which impounded. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.120; 83-Or-009, § 12, 1-14-83)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1150 Sale of vehicle when unclaimed by owner.

478.1150. - Sale of vehicle when unclaimed by owner. (a) When the city desires to dispose of any such vehicle so impounded or otherwise recovered, it shall mail to the registered owner thereof, and lien holder, if any, as shown by the records of the state registrar of motor vehicles, notice that the city has possession and intends to dispose of said vehicle. If the owner of the vehicle does not obtain the vehicle as provided in this article within fifteen (15) days after the mailing of such notice, the vehicle shall thereafter be sold by the city as follows: (1) Motor vehicles which in the opinion of the director of public works meet the requirements of state or federal statute or rule presently in force or as may be amended or adopted relating to motor vehicle air pollution control systems, shall be eligible for sale to the highest bidder at a public sale thereof, provided that no person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall be eligible to bid on or purchase such vehicle. No less than three (3) days prior to such sale, notice stating the date, time and place of the sale shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city. Upon sale and payment of the purchase price, the city shall deliver to the purchaser a bill of sale, if requested, sufficient to allow the vehicle to be registered and/or titled pursuant to state law. (2) Motor vehicles which are not sold pursuant to subsection (a)(1) above shall be sold at a limited public sale thereof to the highest bidder who is deemed by the director of public works to be qualified to handle, buy, sell or wreck used, secondhand or junked motor vehicles or motor vehicle accessories. A bidder is "qualified" within the meaning of this section based on the possession of licenses or permits issued and/or required by any governmental unit to conduct such operations, or where no licenses or permits are required or available, the bidder possesses the demonstrated ability to conduct such operations. Vehicles sold at this limited sale shall not be made available for resale to the public, except those automobile accessories which are salvaged from the vehicles and then resold as parts. No less than three (3) days prior to such limited sale, notice stating the date, time and place of the sale shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.130; 83-Or-009, § 13, 1-14-83; 84-Or-127, § 1, 7-13-84; 88-Or-169, 9-2-88; Ord. No. 2017-067, § 6, 11-3-17)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1160 Form of tag; report of towing agency.

478.1160. - Form of tag; report of towing agency. Red-colored traffic tags shall be used by police officers and other authorized officials when directing the towing and impounding of a vehicle for a parking violation. Such red tag shall be in the form prescribed by the chief of police and shall contain such information as may be deemed necessary including the make and license number of the vehicle so tagged, the date and time of offense and the offense charged, and any further information which the chief of police shall deem necessary and advisable. It shall not be necessary for the person issuing a red tag to await the arrival of a tow truck, and when said vehicle is towed, it shall be the duty of the impound tower or his agent to prepare a written report of the description of the vehicle with an inventory of any personal properties visible therein at the time of the arrival of the tower at the location of the vehicle. The description and inventory must include the make and license number of the motor vehicle, together with a statement of the condition of the vehicle with regard to damaged parts and such other information as may be necessary to adequately describe the vehicle and property. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.140; 83-Or-009, § 14, 1-14-83)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1170 Report required when vehicle not tagged.

478.1170. - Report required when vehicle not tagged. Any police officer directing the impounding of any vehicle on other than a red tag as hereinbefore described shall prepare a written report in duplicate of the description of such vehicle including the following: Make of vehicle; license number; tools and other separate articles of personal property as may be readily discerned by him; the general description of the vehicle with regard to damaged parts, if any; the condition of the vehicle and such other information as may be necessary to adequately describe the vehicle and property delivered to the impound tower. The original copy of said report will be retained by the police department, and duplicate thereof remitted to the city comptroller-treasurer [finance officer]. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.140; 83-Or-009, § 15, 1-14-83)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1180 Insurance of impound tower.

478.1180. - Insurance of impound tower. The impound tower shall provide and maintain in force during the period of any contract for the towing of impounded vehicles, such insurance for general and automobile liability, for fire and extended coverage insurance, for contractual liability insurance, for workers' compensation insurance, and for any other coverages, in such amounts and with such provisions as may be determined and approved by the city council for inclusion in specifications for the advertising for bids for towing of impounded vehicles. Evidence of the existence of such insurance coverages shall be provided by the impound tower and filed with the city in the manner required by such specifications approved by the city council. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.150; 83-Or-009, § 16, 1-14-83)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1190 Article to be included in bid and contract.

478.1190. - Article to be included in bid and contract. This article shall be and constitute part of any bid advertised by the purchasing agent and of any contract entered into with the city by any impound tower, as fully and to the same effect as if set forth at length in said contract and if any part or portion of any such contract entered into shall be inconsistent with the terms of this article, the provisions hereof shall in all respects prevail. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.160; 83-Or-009, § 17, 1-14-83)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 478.1200 Tow sheets and receipts.

478.1200. - Tow sheets and receipts. Every impound tower, operating under the terms of this article pursuant to a contract with the city, shall at all times make and keep a "tow sheet" on all red tag tows which shall show the time and date of towing, the make, license number and general condition of the vehicle towed. All tow sheets shall be consecutively numbered. Upon releasing any vehicle impounded under the terms of this article, the city shall give to the owner or his agent a receipt for any moneys paid by such owner or his agent to the city at the time of the release. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 423.170; 83-Or-009, § 18, 1-14-83)

Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MICOOR_TIT18TRCO_CH478PASTST_ARTXVEIMFetched: 11/2/2026