University District Street Sweeping

Street sweeping occurs once a month from April 1st to November 1st. In the university district, street sweeping typically takes place on the second week of the month on either Thursday or Friday, depending on the street and the direction it runs. To figure out the day street sweeping occurs where you live, check out the link below to see the official City of Columbus Street Sweeping Maps. 

https://www.columbus.gov/publicservice/streets/Permanently-Posted-Sweeping-Neighborhood-Maps/ 

Also be on the lookout for these signs located on the streets that participate in street sweeping: 

It’s very important to be aware of these dates to avoid having your car get towed. If you commonly park on the street, I would recommend writing down the dates of when the street gets swept and put them in a place you would see it every day like near your front door or on the fridge. Help build community in your neighborhood by keeping your roommates and neighbors aware of these dates as well! 

What to do if you get towed: 

• First of all, don’t panic. Contact the City Impound Lot at (614) 645-6400 to make sure that your car has been impounded 
• Make the necessary arrangements you need to get your car back as soon as possible. The impound lot is located at 700 Impound Lot Rd, Columbus, OH 43207 
• See if a roommate, friend, or coworker can drive you there 
• Check if the COTA has any routes near you 
• Uber or Lyft are also good options  
• To claim your vehicle, you will need a valid driver license AND your vehicle registration. Don’t forget to also bring your car keys.  
• If you don’t have a valid driver’s license, a licensed driver must be with you to drive your car out of the impound lot or your car must be towed from the impound lot.  
• Be aware of the associated fees. 
• Getting your car towed can cost upwards of $200. Not only do you have to pay the fee of getting your car towed ($125), but there are also administrative ($30) and storage ($18/day) fees, and potentially the parking citation of having your car parked in a no-park zone.  
• If you have any other outstanding parking citations, you may have to pay those as well before your vehicle is released.