Selling a junk car in Pacifica

Where a car can and cannot sit

The same section sets out the other options. One unoccupied car may be kept behind the front setback line, but it must be screened by "a sight-obscuring fence six (6′) feet in height." Loading and unloading on the driveway is fine if it does "not exceed seventy-two (72) hours within any seven (7) day period."

Section 9-4.2809 closes a gap many people try: no one may park a car "on a vacant lot or parcel" without a use permit. So a spare lot on the hill is not a legal storage spot either.

Unregistered counts as inoperative, off the highway

Pacifica's abandoned-vehicle chapter defines its terms broadly. Under Section 5-1.02, an "Inoperative vehicle" is any vehicle that "cannot be lawfully operated and shall include unregistered vehicles on private or public property, not including highways." A "Dismantled vehicle" is one that "lacks essential components, such as wheels, doors, fenders, engine, transmission, radiator."

The nuisance finding in Section 5-1.01 is worded more widely. It covers abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles "on private or public property, including highways." The unregistered-car wording, by contrast, stops short of highways.

The hearing, and what silence costs

Under Section 5-1.07, "at least ten (10) days prior to the date set for the hearing," the Director of Public Safety mails a notice of intention (registered or certified). Recipients are "the last registered and legal owner of the vehicle" and, for private land, to "the owner of the property upon which the vehicle is located as shown on the last equalized assessment roll." It warns that "if no person appears at such hearing, the vehicle may be removed without further notice."

Section 5-1.08 says so outright: if nobody shows up, "it shall be conclusively presumed that such vehicle constitutes a nuisance." Costs stay off a landowner where the car was "placed on private property without the consent of the owner of the land" and the owner never went along with it.

Stripped shells under $200 can skip the notice of intention. It covers a car missing its motor, transmission or wheels that also can't be towed. Where registration papers turn up, owners get 12 days after a mailed notice to claim it.

Smog, CARB and the title

Smog paperwork is the step most likely to stall a Pacifica sale. Under BAR's rules the seller, not the buyer, owes the Smog Check before the car changes hands. The exemptions: gasoline and hybrid models up to four model years old, pre-1976 gas cars, diesels no newer than 1997, EVs and motorcycles. On its own track, a Pacifica car sold to be wrecked or dismantled skips smog inspection. Vehicle Code 24007 brings in an Air Resources Board wrinkle. If a Pacifica car fails those rules, the only buyers allowed are a dealer or someone who will lawfully wreck or dismantle it. At hand-off in Pacifica, the seller supplies a certificate showing whether the car complies.

Pacifica titles don't go through San Mateo County at all. The state DMV takes care of them by mail or at a field office. Ordinary plates go along with the car. REG 138 is due within 5 days so post-sale tickets go to the buyer.

Getting an offer

For a Pacifica offer, call (877) 421-6008 or fill in the short form. Pickup is free anywhere in the US, driveway or fenced side yard alike. San Bruno is 2.8 miles from Pacifica and Millbrae 4.2; California has the state rules.