Selling a junk or dead car in Calabasas

When repairs make no sense, Calabasas owners have another route: we buy whole non-running and junk cars. That means you sell the whole car as it sits, and free pickup anywhere in the US covers these hills too.

Reading section 8.20.040

The section declares a long string of conditions to be nuisances. For a household with a dead vehicle, three entries count:

• "Keeping, maintaining or having any abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, partial, or inoperative motor vehicle located on real property."
• "Boats, trailers, recreation vehicles, motor vehicles, parts thereof, or other articles of personal property which are left in a state of partial construction, dilapidation or disrepair; or which are parked or stored in violation of applicable zoning designation, rules or regulations."
• An accumulation of junk that takes in "abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles; vehicle parts and equipment."

The exception is narrow: "This section does not apply if such inoperative vehicle is completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner and does not constitute a fire, health or safety hazard." In driveway terms, canvas is not a building, so a tarp leaves the car outside that exception.

The list also covers vehicles placed "on a street, sidewalk or parking areas developed or intended for use by the public."

Motorhomes, trailers, work trucks

Bigger dead vehicles meet extra limits. Section 10.16.030 permits an RV, trailer or camper at the curb only with a pass, and "the parking pass shall be valid for seventy-two (72) hours." Off the street, Section 17.28.030 says "a temporary use permit shall be required for storage of all recreational vehicles over six feet in height beyond seventy-two (72) hours." That section also keeps a hitched "commercial vehicle or trailer" over eight feet high, or over 20 feet combined, out of residential districts from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Public streets fall under state law

Calabasas streets answer to the Vehicle Code. Calabasas officers may tow under Section 22651 after a car spends 72 hours in a row breaking a local ordinance. For stripped cars left on Calabasas streets or other public right-of-way, Section 22669 is tougher. If the engine, transmission, wheels or windshield are gone, the car can be removed right away. From there, the Calabasas tow yard has a lien through Civil Code 3068.1. Already towed? Read towed or impounded.

Title work, Los Angeles County edition

No county office touches California titles. Sacramento's DMV runs them through its field offices and by mail.

1. Signatures. The Certificate of Title needs your signature as seller, plus any lienholder's. Nothing in the DMV's seller instructions asks a Calabasas seller to see a notary.
2. Smog. Cars headed for wrecking or dismantling are outside the smog inspection rule.
3. Plates. Ordinary California plates usually ride along with the car. A personalized or special set can follow you instead, for a fee.
4. REG 138. Five days is the deadline for this Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. After DMV records it, later tickets and lawsuits tied to the car shift to the buyer.

Title missing? REG 227 handles that; our selling with no title guide explains. The California page gathers the statewide rules.

Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Monica

Measured as the crow flies, Simi Valley lies 10.3 miles off, Thousand Oaks 12.6 and Santa Monica 12.9.

Getting an offer

Selling a Calabasas car? The short form has the questions we ask. Online works, or phone (877) 421-6008. Our truck can reach a Calabasas garage, a ridge-top driveway, or the repair bay where the car gave out.