Selling a non-running car in Russellville

The seven-day notice

Section 111-7 of the Property Maintenance Code lays out a "Procedure for Abandoned/Inoperative Vehicles." It starts: "Before any abandoned or inoperative motor vehicle is taken into custody and possession from private" property, the owner gets notice. The count is spelled out. The "seven (7) days' notice shall be calculated by counting the first day of the seven day period as the day after the written notice is given to the owner."

So if notice is handed over on a Monday, Tuesday is day one. The code's own lines are what we quote here. The city may have more rules on how and where cars can be kept, so ask code enforcement if a letter arrives.

Zoning and storage

Russellville's 2023 zoning code lists "Automobile Wrecker/Towing Service / Vehicle Impound Lot" as its own land use. It also asks that "off-street parking areas and vehicle storage areas" be screened. It defines a legal parking space to include parking within a garage. These are rules for land use, not a deadline for a homeowner, but they show where the city expects stored cars to be.

Arkansas law behind the city code

Arkansas has no statewide rule on junk cars kept on private property; cities handle it as a nuisance. In North Little Rock, for example, the city gives 30 days' notice before towing and exempts cars that start and move.

One state rule matters here because so many dead cars die at a shop. Under Ark. Code 27-50-1101, a car left at a repair business is abandoned if it is unclaimed for 45 days, or if the bill goes unpaid 45 days after the work is done. If yours is in that spot, see stuck at a repair shop.

When the title is missing

Arkansas titles come from the DFA Office of Motor Vehicle, at State Revenue Offices or through MyDMV. A lost title can be replaced for $10.00 by the last titled owner, with at least three weeks to wait. If a lien is still recorded, the lienholder signs form 10-315 and the new title goes to the lienholder.

When there is no title and no other way, there is the bonded title. From Russellville, file Form 10-345, the "Statement of Facts for Issuance of a Bonded Title." With it, a Russellville owner sends a bill of sale plus a VIN check by a certified law-enforcement officer or the State Police. Review takes 10 to 25 business days. Our bonded title guide goes further.

If you have the title, the sale is quick. Sign it to the buyer, give it to them, and fill out Form 10-313 together. DFA's seller steps list no notary. Arkansas plates stay with the seller, and a $1.00 fee moves them to your next car.

Nearby

The crow flies 40.4 miles to Conway, 54.6 to Hot Springs and 58.0 to Benton. The Arkansas page has the statewide rules.

Getting an offer

If a shop is holding the car, give us its name and say whether a bill is still open. (877) 421-6008 works, and so does the offer box, where you can list the car and where the title stands. The truck collects from the repair bay, a Pope County driveway or the roadside.