Private Property Parking

MCLA 257.252d(1)(g) allows police to remove a vehicle that is hampering or blocking another vehicle on private property. Removal of vehicles from private property for other reasons is the responsibility of the private property owner.

MCLA 257.252a(2) states that there is no minimum time that a vehicle must be parked on private property before it can be considered abandoned. On most public property the vehicle must be parked for at least 48 hours before it can be considered abandon. If a vehicle has remained on private property without the consent of the property owner, the owner of the private property may have the vehicle towed. It will be the responsibility of the property owner, not the Public Safety Department, to make arrangements for the removal of the vehicle. The tow company is responsible for notifying the Public Safety Department when a vehicle has been removed from private property. The Public Safety Department must determine if the vehicle has been reported stolen and then notify the Secretary of State that the vehicle has been classified as abandoned.

Before a vehicle may be removed from private property, there must be a posted sign advising the public that vehicles may be towed. The notice must meet the following requirements:

• The notice shall be prominently displayed at each point of entry for vehicular access to the property. If the property lacks curbs or barriers, no less than one notice shall be posted for each 100 feet of road frontage.
• The notice clearly indicates in letters no less than 2 inches high on a contrasting background that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense.
• The notice provides the name and telephone number of the local towing service responsible for towing the vehicle. A local towing service is one where the storage yard is located within 15 miles of the boarder of Grosse Pointe Park. Previous arrangements with the tow company listed is required prior to the removal of a vehicle.
• The notice must be permanently installed with the bottom of the notice located no less than 4 feet from the ground and must be in place at least 24 hours before a vehicle may be towed.