Abandoned & Immobilized Vehicles

If your vehicle was immobilized or towed, please contact the Allentown Parking Authority for information on your vehicle. If the wheel-lock Boot is damaged in any way, a charge of up to $700.00 may be applied to your charges.

Vehicles in Allentown may be impounded for the following reasons below:

Why was My Vehicle Booted/Impounded?

72 Hour Violations – Abandoned on Street
The City of Allentown has an ordinance which states that any vehicle parked on a public street or highway in the city for more than 72 hours may be considered to be an abandoned vehicle. These vehicles may be ticketed, immobilized (booted) for towing and impounded if they remain unmoved for at least 72 hours.

Unauthorized Vehicles on Private Property
Unauthorized vehicles on private property may be towed at the request of the property owner. The cost to the property owner for a Private Property tow is $150.00.

Too Close to Fire Hydrant
Vehicles may be towed if they are parked too close to or directly at a fire hydrant.

Scofflaw
If you have any unpaid parking tickets, your vehicle may be immobilized (booted) and/or impounded.  The vehicle cannot be released until all fines owed to the Allentown Parking Authority, including a boot and/or tow fee have been paid in full. Payment should be made immediately, as the booted vehicle may be towed or impounded at any point once it is immobilized (booted).  

Vehicles that have received three (3) tickets within a year either in a handicapped space, loading zone or posted timed area may be towed.

What to do if your vehicle has been barnacled?

There are two ways a barnacle can be released:

1. eCommerce Payment / Online via the Citizens Portal

When you pay the ticket on the eCommerce site that has a Barnacle fee attached to it, the ticket number on the eCommerce site will have a Barnacle icon in front of the ticket number.

You will be shown a message when you pay the ticket related to the Barnacle device, stating what needs to be paid for a release. This message will also state that there will be a hold on your card until you return the device to a proper drop off location.

Upon entering payment information, you will be prompted to enter an email address.

Once payment is made, you will receive an email with instructions on how to release the Barnacle plus drop off locations for the Barnacle device.

If you do not receive the email within a short period of time, please be sure to check your Junk / SPAM Folders. The email will come from Customer_service@upsaftey.net

Once the device is dropped off and checked in, the hold “charge” will be lifted from the account within 24 / 48 hours.

2. In-House Payment / Release

Payments can be made in person by visiting our office at 603 W. Linden Street, during normal business hours. The representative who assists you will provide the release code to our dispatchers, who will then send an officer to remove the barnacle and return it for you.

Please note, Barnacle payments cannot be made over the phone through the IVR System. Failure to make payment and release the Barnacle will result in a tow.

District Courts