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Booted, Towed & Barnacled Vehicles
If your vehicle was immobilized or towed, review the information below to understand why and what steps to take next.
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 or 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 an abandoned vehicle. These vehicles may be ticketed, immobilized (booted), prepared 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 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.
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: online through the Citizens Portal or in person at our office.
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 will have a Barnacle icon in front of it.
- You will be shown a message explaining what needs to be paid for release.
- The message will also explain that there will be a hold on your card until the device is returned 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 and where to drop it off.
- If you do not receive the email within a short period of time, 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 to 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
Court 31-1-01
1201 Sumner Avenue, Allentown PA 18102
(610) 432-3080
Court 31-1-03
1428 Hamilton Street, Allentown PA 18102
(610) 434-7903
Court 31-1-05
1007 Union Boulevard, Allentown PA 18109
(610) 439-0661
Court 31-1-08
3000 South Pike Avenue, Allentown PA 18103
(610) 797-8724
Court 31-1-02
501 Hamilton Street, Suite 117D, Allentown PA 18101
(610) 432-8700
Court 31-1-04
1501 Lehigh Street, Suite 104, Allentown PA 18103
(610) 797-0906
Court 31-2-01
501 Hamilton Street, BASEMENT, Allentown PA
(610) 782-3834