Vehicle Towing & Relocation Policy

In Case of Towing

If you suspect your vehicle is towed, contact Parking & Transportation Services at 314-935-5601, or after hours, call the Washington University Police Department at 314-935-5555.

Hartmann’s Towing

• 6615 Olive Blvd., University City, MO 63130.
• Directions: Take Skinker north to Olive, go west on Olive; Hartmann’s is on the northside of Olive.
• 314-721-1445

For additional public transportation information, please call 314-935-4140.

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Violations Eligible for Towing

Vehicles violating parking regulations may be towed without notice in addition to receiving a citation. Violations include:

• Parking in a fire lane (includes campus fire lane) or restricted zone (marked by signs, painted curbs, or yellow lines).
• Failing to park within designated white lines, including at unmarked curbs.
• Parking in reserved spaces (departments, Bearly Drivers, CarShare, or special events).
• Parking in non-designated areas or illegally in ADA spaces. (Only state-issued disabled plates/placards with a valid WashU permit/pass are allowed.)
• Displaying a lost, stolen, altered, invalid or fraudulent permit/pass (fines up to $1,000, towing at owner’s expense, possible parking revocation, and legal action).
• Abandoned vehicles will be towed if not properly licensed, inoperative or dismantled, or parked without authorization for over 72 hours.

Barnacle Windshield Immobilization

Beginning March 23, 2026, Parking & Transportation uses the Barnacle, a windshield immobilization device, as part of parking enforcement on the Danforth Campus.

The Barnacle is applied directly to a vehicle’s windshield using commercial-grade suction and blocks the driver’s view, preventing vehicle operation until it is removed. It may be applied when a vehicle has multiple unpaid violations, but may also be applied on a first offense.

To have the Barnacle removed:

• Call the phone number or visit the website displayed on the device.
• Pay your outstanding balance online or by phone. Receive a release code and enter it into the device to release it. If you need assistance physically removing the device, please call Parking & Transportation at 314-935-7412.
• Return the device to one of two drop boxes located on campus:
  • Mallinckrodt Center — outside the entrance to the bookstore, adjacent to the UPS box
  • South 40 — outside the entrance to the Bear Bodega

Important: Do not attempt to drive away or forcibly remove the Barnacle. The device is motion-sensitive — forcing it off will trigger an alarm and GPS tracking. Forcible removal or destruction of the device is a criminal offense and may result in damage to both the device and your vehicle.

Vehicles with a Barnacle that has not been removed and returned within 72 hours will be considered abandoned and are subject to tow.