Los Gatos' seven-day test for a dead car

The 48-hour front yard rule

Section 29.40.035 covers residential zones. Inoperative vehicles and vehicle parts may not be stored in the required front yard, or in an unenclosed area visible from the street. That means "placing, parking, keeping or maintaining" one "continuously for more than forty-eight (48) hours." An area shielded by fences, structures or hedges six feet high does not count as unenclosed. Boats, trailers and house cars get a separate 36-hour test.

Off the street and on it

The town's abatement chapter, Section 15.40.067, was adopted under Vehicle Code 22660. It finds that such cars "on private or public property not including highways" are "a public nuisance."

Streets get their own rule. Under Section 15.40.066, abandoning a car "upon any street, alley, or publicly owned parking lot" is not allowed. Los Gatos counts a car as abandoned once it is "inoperable, wrecked, disabled, dismantled, or determined to be in a condition indicating its sustained disuse." A dead car parked at a downtown Los Gatos meter would qualify.

How the town's notice works

• A certified letter goes to the landowner and the registered owner. It gives "10 days from the date of mailing" to remove the car, or the town removes it and bills the landowner.
• A hearing must be requested from the Police Department within 10 days. Unlike Campbell and Hollister, the hearing goes to the Chief of Police or a designee rather than the Town Council.
• A landowner can send a sworn statement saying they aren't responsible, and it counts as asking for a hearing without showing up.
• With no request, the town can abate the car without a hearing.

Selling a Los Gatos car

The town doesn't issue titles for Los Gatos cars. The state DMV does. The seller's signature goes on the title, and a recorded lender's too; then it is the buyer's job to file it. The DMV lists no notary step. You file the release, REG 138, no later than five days out.

Standard plates stay with the car. Personalized, environmental or other special plates can move to another car for a fee, so choose what to do with them before pickup. Smog Check falls to the seller unless the car is exempt or is transferred to be wrecked or dismantled. If an insurer or owner declared it nonrepairable, it can never be titled again. See wrecked or totaled.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or use the form to get a Los Gatos car picked up. Pickup works from a steep driveway, a downtown garage or a shop. Nearby pages: Campbell, Saratoga and Cupertino. State rules are on California.