Selling a dead or junk car in Riverbank

The 90-day rule and the driveway rule

Section 98.03 lists as a nuisance any "abandoned, wrecked, disabled, dismantled or inoperative" vehicle "not screened from general view of the public right-of-way or neighboring properties." The restoration exception is narrow. The work has to be meant "to make the vehicle operational," and the code leaves out work that "solely improves the interior or exterior appearance." Fresh paint on a car with a seized engine does not restart the count.

The same list names "Vehicles parked on any surface other than an improved driveway." Section 98.02 describes that surface as gravel, crushed rock, concrete or something similar, so a car resting on dirt or grass beside the house breaks a second rule. Section 98.02 also calls a car inoperable when it lacks current registration, an engine, a transmission, wheels, tires or a windshield.

How a removal order works

Chapter 90 puts removal in the hands of the Sheriff's Department Commander. Section 90.07 requires "not less than a ten-day notice of intention to abate and remove" before a car is taken off private or public property, unless the landowner and the car's owner both signed releases. That notice must explain hearing rights, and a hearing request is due "within ten days after the mailing of notice."

Two details help a landowner. If the hearing finds a stranger left the car without your consent, the city will not bill your property for the removal. If a Riverbank car is "completely enclosed within a building" and can't be seen from the street or neighboring lots, the chapter doesn't apply.

Street parking near Third Street

Section 71.07 says "No person shall stop, park or leave standing, any vehicle on any street or highway in the city for 72 or more consecutive hours." A Neighborhood Improvement Officer or a Riverbank Police Services officer can cite or remove a car that overstays. Downtown has a sweeping window too. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, between 4 and 6, no parking is allowed on Second, Third and Fourth Streets south of Atchison to Sierra, or on Santa Fe Street between Second and Fourth. A stalled car left downtown on a Sunday night will be in the way by Monday.

California title and plates for a Riverbank car

Stanislaus County does not handle titles. The state DMV does, at its field offices. You and any lienholder sign the California title as sellers. The DMV's private-sale instructions name no notary step for that signature. If the title is lost, REG 227 comes first; junk car with no title walks through it.

Within 5 days of the handoff, send the DMV form REG 138 so the car leaves your name. Standard California plates stay on the car when it goes to the next owner. Because a junked car is headed for dismantling, it skips the smog test. After you sell covers the rest.

Towns around Riverbank

Oakdale is 5.9 miles away as the crow flies, Modesto 6.9 and Ceres 8.9. Rules that apply statewide are on the California page.

Getting an offer

Got a car to sell in Riverbank? Call (877) 421-6008 or fill in the form. The truck can load it from an improved driveway, a curb, or the lot of the shop where it quit.