Apache Junction junk-car rules, and where a dead car goes

Two versions of the clock

Section 9-1-2 sets the time by location: 48 hours "within the right-of-way of any highway, road, street or other public thoroughfare," and 72 hours "on public property or private property." Section 12-3-6 uses 48 hours without that split. Either way, a car left on a road shoulder here is in trouble by day three.

After a removal, 12-3-6 has a designated police officer appraise the car and certify it to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Not on any premises

Section 9-1-3 leaves little room: "no inoperable vehicle or junk vehicle shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled."

The 9-1-2 definition is broad. It covers a car "on blocks," one with "missing or deflated tires or missing wheels," one down "due to mechanical failure or mechanical disability," and one "missing a legally assigned license plate." A car that has sat for years in Apache Junction usually checks more than one of those.

Repairs and for-sale signs

• "Vehicle repairs shall not exceed 10 calendar days, unless performed inside a garage or other approved structure."
• "The display of 1 vehicle or boat for sale is permitted at a residence when the vehicle is titled to the owner or occupant of the property."

A project that has been half apart in the driveway since last month is already past the ten days.

Parks

Section 15-1-3: "Inoperable motorized vehicles must be removed from the park within a 24-hour time period or the vehicles will be towed away at the owner's expense."

Title office distance

From the middle of Apache Junction, the Casa Grande office at 240 W Cottonwood Ln is about 36 miles south as the crow flies; we found it in ADOT MVD's hours and locations list. AZ MVD Now covers a good deal of title work without that drive. In Arizona, titles are handled by state MVD and authorized Third Party offices, not the county.

Selling under Arizona rules

Hand the buyer a signed title, either the paper one signed on its back or an eTitle Transfer done online; ADOT MVD's seller instructions show no notary step. Lost the title? ARS 28-2098 lets an Apache Junction car with 12 or more model years and a value of $1,200 or less go to a scrap dealer or licensed recycler with no title.

Unbolt the plate before the car goes, since Arizona plates belong to the seller. Inside 30 days, that plate goes on your next car, back to MVD, or onto an affidavit stating it was destroyed. Leftover registration may come back as a credit, less $12. Report the sale to MVD on a Sold Notice within 10 days. After you sell explains each piece.

Nearby

Mesa is about 10 miles away and Queen Creek about 11. Fountain Hills is roughly 19. Arizona-wide rules live on the Arizona page.

Getting an offer

Ring (877) 421-6008 or send the form. Let us know make, model, rough mileage, if it cranks, and what kind of title you have. The truck can get to a desert lot, a carport down a dirt road, or a repair bay.