Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 819 § 819.120 — Immediate custody and towing of vehicle constituting hazard or obstruction;
Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 819 ·
Oregon Code § 819.120·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Immediate custody and towing of vehicle constituting hazard or obstruction;
rules.
(1) An
authority described under ORS 819.140 may immediately take custody of and tow a
vehicle that is disabled, abandoned, parked or left standing unattended on a
road or highway right of way and that is in such a location as to constitute a
hazard or obstruction to motor vehicle traffic using the road or highway.
(2) As used in
this section, a hazard or obstruction includes, but is not necessarily
limited to:
(a) Any vehicle
that is parked so that any part of the vehicle extends within the paved portion
of the travel lane.
(b) Any vehicle
that is parked so that any part of the vehicle extends within the highway
shoulder or bicycle lane:
(A) Of any
freeway within the city limits of any city in this state at any time if the
vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less;
(B) Of any
freeway within the city limits of any city in this state during the hours of 7
a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. if the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight
of more than 26,000 pounds;
(C) Of any
freeway within 1,000 feet of the area where a freeway exit or entrance ramp
meets the freeway; or
(D) Of any
highway during or into the period between sunset and sunrise if the vehicle
presents a clear danger.
(3) As used in
this section, hazard or obstruction does not include parking in a designated
parking area along any highway or, except as described in subsection (2) of
this section, parking temporarily on the shoulder of the highway as indicated
by a short passage of time and by the operation of the hazard lights of the
vehicle, the raised hood of the vehicle, or advance warning with emergency
flares or emergency signs.
(4) An authority
taking custody of a vehicle under this section must give the notice described
under ORS 819.180 and, if requested, a hearing described under ORS 819.190.
(5) The power to
take vehicles into custody under this section is in addition to any power to
take vehicles into custody under ORS 819.110.
(6) Subject to
ORS 819.150, vehicles and the contents of vehicles taken into custody under
this section are subject to a lien as provided under ORS 819.160.
(7) The person
that tows a vehicle under this section shall have the vehicle appraised within
a reasonable time by a person authorized to perform such appraisals under ORS
819.480.
(8) Vehicles
taken into custody under this section are subject to sale or disposal under ORS
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Immediate custody and towing of vehicle constituting hazard or obstruction;
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Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 819.120
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
Frequently Asked Questions
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. Read the full statute text above for details.
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