Selling a non-running car in La Puente

Chapter 6.64 and its ten days

Section 6.64.010, adopted under Vehicle Code 22660, declares an "abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle or parts thereof, on private or public property not including highways" a public nuisance. Section 10.36.040 repeats the point: "No person shall maintain on any property in the City" such a vehicle.

When the city acts, Section 6.64.080 sets the steps:

• A registered letter states the city's intent to abate and remove the car. La Puente mails one copy to the landowner and another to the registered owner of the car.
• It asks for removal "within 10 days from the date of mailing of this notice."
• If the car stays, the city removes it and assesses "the costs thereof, together with administrative costs" to the landowner.

Section 6.64.090 gives the landowner or car owner those ten days to ask the La Puente City Manager for a public hearing. A property owner who mails a sworn statement denying responsibility is treated as asking for a hearing they need not attend. The city mails the hearing notice at least ten days before the date.

Other rules that catch a dead vehicle

• Heavy vehicles in commercial zones. On C-1 and C-2 lots and in the Downtown Specific Plan area, heavy vehicles may stay parked no more than three consecutive hours in any 24. An unhitched trailer may not be stored there at all (10.30.150).
• RVs on a temporary permit. The city can revoke the permit if the RV "has become inoperable" or has fallen into disrepair. Revocation takes effect at least two days after notice (6.40.350).
• Children. Any property children can easily reach must be kept clear of attractive nuisances such as broken equipment and machinery (10.36.040).

Streets and tow yards

A La Puente car left on the street 72 hours or more straight, breaking a city ordinance, can be towed by police under VC 22651. After a tow in La Puente, a car worth up to $4,000 goes to lien sale 31 to 41 days from when the yard mails notice (Civil Code 3072). See towed or impounded.

California title steps

La Puente sellers file with the California DMV, which runs state field offices and also takes mail.

1. A La Puente sale needs the seller's signature on the California Certificate of Title, plus a lienholder's if one exists. No notary shows up in the DMV's steps for sellers.
2. La Puente sellers report the sale on REG 138 within 5 days, by mail or online. Once recorded, parking tickets and traffic violations dated after the sale are the new owner's problem.
3. Keep standard plates on the car.
4. Skip the smog test if the buyer is taking the car to be wrecked or dismantled.

Without a title, file REG 227; the fee is $28. See our California page.

Getting an offer

Have a car in La Puente? Call (877) 421-6008 or send the form. The truck can come to a La Puente driveway or to a shop in West Covina, 3.0 miles away.