Selling a dead or junk car in Novato

Where a dead car may sit at home

Novato's zoning code adds a second layer in Section 19.34.170. In a residential zone:

• "Only operable vehicles may be parked in the front yard area."
• "Inoperable vehicles shall not be stored or parked within the required parking areas, front yard or street side yard areas."
• A car that does not run is allowed only inside a building, garage or accessory structure, or "in a rear or side yard area where the vehicles are screened from view from adjacent streets and properties."
• Four is the most vehicles of any kind, boats and trailers counted, that a lot may keep outdoors.

So a car with a seized engine faces two separate limits: where on the lot it may sit, and how long it may stay outdoors.

Section 1-6, the city's general nuisance law, also lists "any wrecked, disabled, inoperative, salvaged or dismantled vehicle, vessel, or vehicle parts stored in violation of Chapter 18."

When the city takes over

Section 18-13 lets the enforcing officer and deputies "enter upon private or public property to examine a vehicle" and have a nuisance car removed. After a public hearing, the council can order it removed and disposed of. The timing after that:

• 10 days after the notice of intention, where no hearing was required, or
• 5 days after the order or the mailed decision,

the car "may be disposed of by removal to a scrapyard or automobile dismantler's yard." The city then notifies the DMV within five days of removal.

On the street

Under Section 18-7 and Vehicle Code 22651, an authorized police officer may tow a vehicle left on a street "in excess of 72 consecutive hours".

Title and plates

In Novato you deal with the state DMV, since California doesn't run title offices by county. Signing over a California title takes the owner's signature and, where a loan is recorded, the lender's, and a notary is not among the steps DMV gives sellers. Without the title, begin with REG 227. Five days is all you get to send REG 138, which can be filed at dmv.ca.gov/nrl or posted. Section 1-6 itself states that nothing in it alters a duty to report a sale to the DMV.

A car sold for dismantling is one the smog rules leave out. Most plates go with the car. Personalized and special ones differ, since the owner can move them for a fee. Thinking of pulling parts first? Read part it out or sell it whole.

Around Novato

In a straight line, San Rafael is 7.5 miles off and Petaluma 11.7. Richmond is 13.7 miles away and Vallejo 15.6. The California page and selling a junk car cover the general steps.

Getting an offer

To get an offer, fill out the form or ring (877) 421-6008. Have the year, make, model, miles and title facts handy, and know if it drives. Pickup can be from the garage, a screened side yard, or wherever the car gave out.