Selling an inoperable car in Decatur

What Decatur calls an inoperable vehicle

The definition in Section 16-14 has three parts. A car is inoperable if it is "in a state of disassembly," in the middle of stripping, dismantling, overhaul or body work, or in "any other condition that renders the vehicle inoperable or incapable of being used for its designed or intended purpose." A car "not currently licensed as required by law" counts too, if it is kept in a way that creates "a health, safety, or fire hazard."

The rule itself is short. Decatur bars anyone who owns or runs a home or business property from letting an inoperable vehicle, scrap or junk "store or keep upon the premises" "unless the same is housed in an approved, enclosed, covered structure." Throwing a tarp over it in the side yard is not enough.

The code's definition of junk is wide as well: it names "parts of an automobile, truck, bus, motorcycle, water craft, or other motor vehicle." The engine you pulled and the doors leaning on the fence are junk under 16-14 in their own right.

The property maintenance code says it again

Decatur also adopted a property maintenance code, Section 7-291, which states that "no unregistered or inoperable motor vehicle shall be parked, kept, or stored on any premises." It adds that no vehicle may "at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled."

You can still work on it one way. A major overhaul, "including body work," is fine if "performed inside a structure or similarly enclosed area designed and approved for such purposes." With no garage, or a full one, the car has no legal place to sit.

Repair businesses get a narrow pass. Vehicles waiting on repair at a licensed dealer, body shop or garage are exempt, provided they are stored so they do not create "any health, fire, or safety hazard."

Street limits and impounds

On a public street the clock is three days. Section 22-68 makes it "a public nuisance" to park or leave a car, truck or other vehicle standing on a public street or sidewalk "for a period in excess of three (3) days." Signs posted by the chief of police under Section 22-64 can set shorter limits on particular streets.

Impounds have their own rule in one common case. Under Section 22-43, an officer may impound a vehicle when the driver cannot produce a valid license. Recovery starts with proof of insurance shown at the police department. Next you pay the wrecker service all towing and storage fees. A car "not properly redeemed" within 60 days can be advertised and sold by the wrecker under state law. A dead car that ends up there costs money every day it sits. See towed or impounded.

Two counties, two title offices

Decatur is in both Morgan and Limestone counties. We looked up one office for each. The Decatur office is at 302 Lee St. NE, phone 256-351-4770, roughly 2 miles north of downtown. The Athens office is at 100 S. Clinton St., Suite B, phone 256-233-6430, about 16 miles north. Both distances are as the crow flies, and each county may have other offices.

Wherever you file, the seller's signature on an Alabama title does not need a notary. The mileage must be certified and match the buyer's application exactly, and the owner names must be identical to the title. Alabama skips emissions checks. A glowing check-engine light means no smog test before you sell.

The plate stays with you. In Alabama the registrant removes it, and it may move to a car you acquire next; a $15 plus interest penalty applies if a valid plate is not moved to a newly acquired vehicle on time. You can get a new copy of a lost title on the Public Title Portal for $15. Count the model years on your Decatur car: is it 12 or more, and is its value $1,000 or less? Then a dismantler or scrap recycler may buy it with no title. In Decatur, that buyer uses SCRAP to file Notice form MVT 5-18. Otherwise the dismantler must get the current, properly transferred title and file a cancellation through that portal.

Before you strip it for parts

Pulling parts to sell one at a time in Decatur turns the car into exactly what 16-14 and 7-291 describe: a vehicle "in the process of being stripped." Selling it whole avoids that stage. Part it out or sell it whole compares the two.

Nearby

Athens is 14.4 miles away, Madison 16.1, Huntsville 19.8 and Cullman 28.7. Statewide rules are on the Alabama page.

Getting an offer

Decatur owners can call (877) 421-6008 or use the offer form. We haul from a backyard off Lee Street, a lot by the river harbor, or a repair shop.