FAQs

How do I obtain a release for an impounded vehicle?
Registered owners of impounded vehicles must FIRST obtain an impound release prior to going to the contract tow service storage facility. Releases can be obtained at the Police/Fire Headquarters Building located at 200 N. Third St. in Burbank.

To obtain a release on a vehicle that has been impounded as a result of an arrest other than DUI, the registered owner of the vehicle must contact the Detective assigned to the case. It is advisable to call the Burbank Police Department to assure the vehicle is available for release prior to coming in. You can call (818) 238-3333, with the case number to ascertain the release status of the vehicle, and if necessary, the name of the detective assigned to the case.

To obtain a vehicle that has been impounded as a result of DUI, driving without a license, driving on an expired license, out-of-date registration, or other traffic-related violations, it is advisable to call the Burbank Police Department Traffic Bureau at (818) 238-3100 to assure the vehicle is available for release prior to coming in.

Only the Registered Owner (RO) of a vehicle can obtain the impound release. If the RO is not available (for example, out of town), he or she may mail or overnight a NOTARIZED letter designating a person to pick up the vehicle. Only the original of the notarized letter is acceptable, not copies or faxes. In the letter, the RO must be very specific as to who will be picking up the vehicle, along with a detailed description of the vehicle, itself (make, model, license plate number, etc.).

The RO or his/her designee must present a valid California driver’s license. If the person has only a temporary license, another valid form of picture ID is necessary to obtain an impound release.

There is an administrative fee for the release of passenger vehicles and a slightly higher fee for commercial vehicles. No checks or debit cards are accepted by the Burbank Police Department. Acceptable forms of payment are cash or credit card only.

With the impound release in hand, you may go to the contract tow service and pay them the applicable tow and storage fees directly. The current contract tow service is Girard and Peterson, 154 W. Providencia Av., Burbank, CA 91502 (818) 843-8000. Please call them for particulars regarding payment methods, hours of operation, etc.

Complaints about the tow service should be made in writing to the Traffic Bureau Commander, Burbank Police Dept., 200 N. Third St., Burbank CA 91502

How do I get a copy of an accident or crime report?
Copies of some reports may be released by the Burbank Police Department Record Bureau, which has a public counter in the Police lobby of the Police/Fire Headquarters Facility. Reports may take up to 48 hours after the report is filed to be processed and available for release, although 24 hours is more common. The base fee for a traffic report is $15.  The base fee for a crime report is $3, and additional fees may apply depending on the type and complexity of the report, and whether or not photographs are included. Reports are not public property, and they will be released only to those persons with a right to have them.

For people who have suffered a financial loss in a reported incident, it is usually possible to obtain a “Certificate of Loss” to satisfy insurance company needs even if the report cannot be released, and the base report fee applies.

Public Information vs Right to Privacy

Related Fees (civil subpoenas, witness fees, report fees, impound fees and statistical information fees, etc)

How do I pay a parking citation?
There are various ways to pay a parking citation in the City of Burbank. 

By Mail:  Parking citations may be returned by mail with a check or money order made payable to the City of Burbank. Payments should be sent to:

• City of Burbank Police Department, ATTN:  Traffic Bureau
• 200 N Third Street
• Burbank CA 91502-1201

OR

• Payment Processing Center
• P.O. Box 57010
• Irvine, CA 92619-7010

Make sure to include your citation or indicate the citation number in the memo section of your check or money order

Online:  Click here to pay your bills online. Any convenience fees are charged by the vendor, not the City of Burbank.

By Phone:  You can call our toll free number at 877-237-3087 to make a payment by phone. Any convenience fees are charged by the vendor, not the City of Burbank.

In-Person:  Payments may also be made in person at the Burbank Police Department Traffic Bureau Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Accepted forms of payment include:  cash, check, money order, VISA or Mastercard.  If the Traffic Bureau is closed a drop box is located in the lobby of the station.  Make sure to bring your citation or know your citation number to ensure proper credit.

How do I contest a parking citation?
The California Vehicle Code sets forth uniform procedures for contesting a parking citation issued by this agency. These procedures include several time periods that must be carefully adhered to. In order to contest a citation, the “Request from Issuing Agency Review” form must be received by the Burbank Police Department within twenty-one (21) days of the citation issuance or within fourteen (14) days of the postmark of a delinquent citation notice you have received. All periods are expressed in calendar days.

Failure to comply with all stated time requirements will result in a waiver of your right to contest the citation. All correspondence will be sent to the address you provide on the reverse side of the protest form. Any delays in your receiving these communications will NOT result in extensions of time periods, except as otherwise provided by law. It is your responsibility to provide a proper mailing address and zip code for personal notification of our findings. We will make no further attempts to contact you beyond the mailing of our findings.

Our review will consist of an evaluation of the TECHNICAL MERIT of the citation. If we find the citation is invalid, it will be dismissed. If we find the citation valid, you will be provided with a “Request for Administrative Hearing” form with which to contest the citation further. Should you disagree with the technical findings, or feel there were extenuating circumstances, complete the form and file with the deposit of the full penalty amount within twenty-one (21) days of the postmark of our findings.

The “Request for Administrative Hearing” form requires you to select one of two options: 

1. “Hearing by Personal Appearance” – For this, you will appear at an actual hearing presided over by a Hearing Commissioner, who will consider your contested citation.  These hearings take place on a monthly basis.  In this hearing you can testify or have a witness testify. The Hearing Commissioner can find you not guilty or dismiss the ticket administratively. He or she can also find you guilty, in which case, some or all of the posted bail is forfeited.

2.  “Hearing by Declaration” - Allows you to submit a written argument to the Hearing Commissioner, who then has the same options as with a live hearing.

1. Your name, address, phone number(s), and age.
2. The name, address, phone number(s), and age of the alleged victim, if other than yourself.
3. The date, day, time, and location of the incident about which you are complaining.
4. The names of any witnesses, their address, and phone number(s), if available.
5. The name, badge number, or identifying description of the involved police employee(s), if available.
6. The name, address, and phone number(s) of any attorney or other person representing you and/or the alleged victim in this matter.
7. A narrative description of the events giving rise to your complaint.

A parent or guardian’s signature may be required on any complaint filed by a person under 18 years of age.

An investigator shall be specifically assigned by the Chief or Division Commander, and he/she shall contact all witnesses, examine any relevant evidence, and gather all information pertinent to each allegation made in the complaint. After completion of a thorough investigation, a complaint disposition shall be made as defined by Burbank Police Department policy for each alleged act of misconduct.

The final disposition of the complaint may be made by the Chief or Division Commander. When a complaint is sustained, the Chief may determine to administer appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action, including one or more of the following: counseling, training, written reprimand, suspension, demotion, or termination.

Departmental procedure allows 60 days for completion of an investigation into a citizen complaint. Normally all complaint investigations are completed within this time period. Extensions may be granted by the Chief if additional time is required. In the event of a delay, you will be notified of the reason(s) for the delay by the Department.

If you have any questions regarding these procedures, please contact the Professional Standards Bureau at (818) 238-3232, Monday through Friday, during normal business hours. The Department’s procedural directive on citizen complaints is available for inspection, upon request.

How do I retrieve my property?
When property is eligible for release and the owner is known, a card is sent to the owner stating that we hold property belonging to them and giving instructions on how to pick it up. To confirm hours or that your property is ready for release, call (818) 238-3043 with the Report number and Property Tag number. You can also call that number looking for losses which have not been reported to the police.

What are the property room hours?
The public counter of the Property Room is open from 8 a.m. until noon, and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It is reached via the main elevator from the Police lobby of the Police/Fire Headquarters Facility. The desk officer controls the elevator, so you will need to check in with him or her and advise them that you need to go to the Property Room.

What do I do if I think I am a victim of identity theft?
Click here to find out about identity theft.

How do I obtain a release of firearms?
The State of California completes a comprehensive background check prior to authorizing our Police Department to release any firearms in our custody.

Contact the Burbank Police Department Detective Bureau at 818-238-3210 to speak with an assigned Detective regarding the release of your firearm(s). You should have the desk report number available when you make the call.

Or, for additional information regarding the State application for the release of firearms, visit the Attorney General's website at www.ag.ca.gov/firearms.

Does the Police Deparment auction unclaimed property?
Yes, unclaimed property is sent to auction and can be viewed at www.propertyroom.com

How do I obtain an Alarm Permit?
An Alarm Permit can be obtained at the Police Department Traffic Bureau Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling 818 238-3226 to request that an application be mailed to you. Commercial and residential applications are handled in the same manner. (The application is not available on-line).

The permit fee is $25.00 and may be paid by cash, check, or money order. Credit card payment is not accepted by the City for this fee.

The $25.00 fee allows the permit holder 2 false alarms in a calendar year (January 1 to December 31). A third false alarm will result in a $75.00 administrative fee and a $100.00 fee each for each subsequent false alarm in a calendar year. Permit holders will be notified by mail in January that a renewal fee of $25.00 is due in the alarm office prior to April 1 - additional fees apply if this fee is not paid prior to April.

If the permit location has had no more than 2 false alarms in the previous calendar year, the permit renewal fee will be waived. The permit holder will receive mail notification of the fee exemption.

Permit holders will be notified of applicable fees by mail and of delinquent fees. A police response will be declined to alarm activations when fees are delinquent and the permit holder has not replied to payment notifications.
Download Alarm Permit Form

What should I do if I am involved in a traffic accident?

1. You must stop.  Someone could be injured and need your help.
   
   
2. If anyone is injured, call 911.  Administer first aid to injured parties. (Not all traffic accidents require a police response. Most non-injury traffic accidents can be handled between the parties.)
   
   
3. If no one is injured or killed, move your vehicle out of the traffic lane.
   
   
4. Show your driver’s license, registration card and proof of financial responsibility to the other driver or to a peace officer.  You are also required to provide your current residence address.
   
   
5. Get the facts. Write down the details at the scene:
   
   A)   License plate numbers.
   
   B)   Damage to all vehicles involved.
   
   C)   Name(s) of other drivers, addresses and phone numbers.
   
   D)   Insurance company names and policy numbers.
   
   E)   Name(s) of all passengers, pedestrians or witnesses, addresses and phone numbers.
   
   F)   When did the accident occur? Date and time.
   
   G)   Where did the accident occur? Cross Streets and City.
   
   
6. If you have a camera, photographs can be helpful for future reference.  Carefully choose a safe location from which to take the photographs.  
   
   
7. If you are unable to locate the owner of a car or other property that you have collided with, you must leave a note secured attached to the property in a conspicuous place, which includes your name, address, and the name and address of the owner of the car you are driving. 
   
   
8. You must also contact the local law enforcement agency.
   
   
9. Emergency Item Checklist:

   •   Pens/ pencils
   •   Camera
   •   Blanket
   •   First aid kit
   •   Jumper cables
   •   Flashlight
   •   Flares
   •   Paper/ notepad

References:
DMV driver’s handbook
AAA pamphlet; “Protect Yourself In Case Of an Accident”

Who do I contact about a traffic issue?
You can contact the Traffic Bureau directly at (818) 238-3100.