Residents on SE 89th & Duke woke up this morning to find a brand new red sign posted up on a fence.

At first glance, you may think this is fair enough, residents should be able to park on their own property and not be interrupted by people that do not pay for it. However, the sign in question relates to the public street (which everyone pays for with their taxes). So why does the landowner think that they have the right to threaten to tow peoples cars away?

The sign claims that any vehicle breaking this rule will be towed away at the owners expense.

However, the Portland city code states quite the opposite:

If any person tows a vehicle from the public streets without authority under the City Code, the City Towing Coordinator may assess a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each vehicle towed to be paid to the City Towing Coordinator and deposited to the City’s general fund.

Some residents are unsure whether the sign is legal, but the enforcement is not, as this is a grey area within the city code.

Laws Surrounding Towing In Portland:

In Portland, there are certain situations in which towing a vehicle may be considered legal. For example, if a vehicle is parked illegally, blocking a fire hydrant, obstructing traffic, or parked in a designated no-parking zone, it may be subject to towing.

Additionally, private property owners, such as businesses or residential complexes, generally have the authority to tow vehicles parked on their property without permission. However, they must comply with local laws and regulations regarding signage and notice requirements.

It’s important to note that towing companies must also adhere to specific rules and regulations governing the proper procedures for towing, storage, and notification of the vehicle owner.