Abandoned Vehicle Policy

Policy Statement/Background:

None

Policy:

Unregistered and abandoned vehicles, as defined in the New York State Vehicle Traffic Law: Section 1224 and in the New York State Education Law: Chapter V, Part 584 (Stony Brook Traffic and Parking Regulations), may be removed from the campus grounds at the owner's expense. Violations on the campus may result in the owner being summoned to court and/or the campus judicial system. Removal of license plates does not absolve the owner of the responsibility for proper disposal of a vehicle.

Procedures

Identification of Abandoned Vehicle

Parked vehicles will be deemed abandoned after 24 hours if it is observed unoccupied and abandoned as defined in the New York State Vehicle Traffic Law and the University Police Department confirms it has not been stolen and it is not wanted by local authorities. A warning sticker will be placed on the windshield advising the owner to remove the vehicle within 24 hours. If the vehicle is parked in violation of campus parking regulations, the owner will be issued a campus summons, which is returnable on campus. Vehicles that appear to be vandalized or damaged and/or present a hazardous condition may be immediately removed to the contracted vendor’s impound lot.

Towing and Disposal of Abandoned Vehicle

If the vehicle remains parked after the 24-hour-warning-period, the University Police Central Records Office will send a certified letter, return receipt, to the last known registered owner of the vehicle advising that they have ten (10) calendar days from the date of the letter to claim their vehicle. If the last registered owner of the vehicle does not respond within the ten-day period, the contracted towing vendor will be notified to remove the vehicle to their impound lot.

Owner Recovery of Abandoned Vehicles on Campus

The following process is in place for individuals claiming their vehicle during the 10-day window described above. Owners must pay the costs of towing and any outstanding fines/storage fees at the Parking Services Office, located in the Stony Brook Union (after hours payments can be made online or at the University Police Headquarters). The owner must also present ownership documents and proof of payment of outstanding fees at the University Police Headquarters to get the release authorization forms. Release of vehicle is authorized when: receipts of payment and release authorization forms are presented to the officer at the campus impound and all release forms are signed by the officer or other designated personnel releasing the vehicle.

Definitions:

None

Contact:

Additional information about this policy is available here:

Enterprise Risk Management
411 Administration Building
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 632-9500

University Police Department
Dutchess Hall (South Campus)
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 632-3333

Relevant Standards, Codes, Rules, Regulations, Statutes and Policies:

• NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law, Section 1224
• Mobility & Parking Services Website, Rules & Regulations