Selling a dead or junk car in Lodi

A planning office, not the police

In Lodi, hearing requests for cars on private property go to the Community Development Director. The landowner is told to take the car away "within 10 days from the date of mailing of this notice." If it is still there after that, Lodi hauls it off and charges the landowner, administrative costs included.

A hearing request must reach the Community Development Director within ten days of mailing. That hearing runs under Chapter 1.10 of the city code. Without a request, the director can go ahead with removal.

After a nuisance order, the code allows disposal "by removing it to a scrapyard or automobile dismantler's" yard. Lodi can move five days after the order, five days after it mails notice of the decision where notice applies, or fifteen days after an appeal upholds the removal.

Lodi streets: 72 hours

Lodi's Section 10.44.030 is brief: an owner or person in control may not "park such vehicle upon any street or public right-of-way for more than a consecutive period of seventy-two hours." Section 10.56.010 then lets police and parking enforcement staff tow one left on a street or alley that long. They may also tow one left under posted no-parking signs, or where the street is needed for cleaning, repair, construction or utility work.

Old cars with missing papers

Many older Lodi cars come with gaps in the paperwork, and California has a route for that. A Lodi car with no proof of ownership and a value of $5,000 or more needs a motor vehicle bond. Cars under $5,000 skip the bond. Lodi owners mail DMV whatever ownership papers exist. The REG 256 Statement of Facts that goes with them names the seller, states the value and confirms the car is lien-free.

With a title in hand, Lodi sellers sign it, and so does any lienholder; DMV's private-sale steps contain no notary stage. DMV processes it at a field office or by mail. Car not in your name covers an inherited car.

Next, file REG 138 for your Lodi sale within five days. You can mail it or use dmv.ca.gov/nrl. Ordinary plates remain on the car. Flood and crash cars can end up branded Salvaged. California does not use a flood brand of its own. A dismantling sale needs no smog check.

Getting an offer

Tell us what you have in Lodi: year, make, model, mileage, whether it fires, and which papers survive. Use the form or (877) 421-6008. Pickup can be at a home, a vineyard road, or a shop lot. Stockton is 10.1 miles away and Galt 10.2; the California page holds statewide rules.