Selling a junk or dead car in Claremont

A missing city code, and what fills the gap

Sacramento leaves private-lot junk cars to local councils. Vehicle Code 22660 authorizes any city or county to pass an ordinance clearing dead, wrecked, dismantled or abandoned cars from yards and lots as nuisances, then billing the cost back. La Verne did exactly that, and its notice allows a landowner ten days. Before treating a dead hatchback beside a Claremont garage as safe, ask City Hall whether a matching local rule exists.

Three state rules a Claremont curb cannot escape

• Three days parked. Under VC 22651, where a local ordinance limits parking, a car sitting on a public street 72 hours straight or longer may be hauled away.
• Gutted cars. VC 22669 allows an officer to remove at once, from any public right-of-way, a Claremont car stripped of its engine, its wheels or tires, a door, the windshield, the transmission or some other essential part.
• Leaving it. VC 22523 makes abandonment on a road, or on another person's land without permission, unlawful. You pay at least $100, and you need proof the tow was paid for.

After the tow truck leaves

California hands tow and storage operators a possessory lien (Civil Code 3068.1). Where a car's value tops out at $4,000, Civil Code 3072 governs: the lien sale must get underway within 15 days, the operator sends a pending-lien-sale notice by mail, and the auction is held no sooner than day 31 and no later than day 41 from that mailing. To demand a court hearing, return the opposition declaration inside 10 days. If nobody reclaims it, the shortfall after the sale becomes the debt of the last registered owner, with one exception: a report of sale filed beforehand. Towed or impounded covers next steps.

Claremont title, smog and plate steps

Titles never touch Los Angeles County offices; Sacramento's DMV processes each one. A Claremont seller, plus any lender still on the record, signs the California title, and afterward the new owner sends it to DMV along with a $15 transfer charge. Nowhere in DMV's seller instructions does a notary appear. Title lost? Start with REG 227; selling with no title explains.

DMV's ZIP appendix lists 90704, out on Catalina Island, as the only Los Angeles County ZIP outside the smog program, but that appendix was last marked revised in November 2011, so treat it as possibly dated. A Claremont car headed back onto the road therefore needs its seller to supply a passing Smog Check, unless age or fuel type excuses it. Claremont cars headed for wrecking or dismantling need no test.

Standard-issue plates normally remain with a sold Claremont car. Recording it with DMV as Junk changes that: the plates go back to the state. Whichever way it goes, get REG 138, the seller's release, to DMV inside five days, online or on paper. After you sell has more.

Towns around Claremont

Straight-line distances, as the crow flies: Upland 3.1 miles, La Verne 3.2, Montclair 3.8, Pomona 5.3, San Dimas 5.5 and Glendora 7.8. Statewide rules are on the California page.

Getting an offer

Phone (877) 421-6008 or use the form. Mention model year, maker, model, miles on the odometer, whether it cranks, and title status. Pickup can happen at a Claremont carport, beside the curb, or at a repair lot eager to clear space.