Selling a junk car whole under Rocklin's rules

Rocklin's reasons

Chapter 8.08 draws on the power Vehicle Code 22660 grants cities. Section 8.08.030 records council findings that stored wrecks drag down property values, "promote blight and deterioration," invite plundering "and promote criminal activities," and add fire risk. It then labels any "abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle or part thereof, on private or public property not including highways" a public nuisance.

Ten days of warning, by certified mail

Absent signed releases, Rocklin's abatement officer has a notice sent by certified mail no less than ten days ahead of removal. Landowner and car owner both learn that unless the car is gone "within ten days of the date of the notice," Rocklin will remove and dispose of it.

That cost attaches to land, not the car: it is "assessed against the property and will constitute a lien upon such property until paid." A renter's abandoned project car becomes a landlord's lien.

Hearing rights must appear in the notice too. A landowner may show up in person or, rather than attend, mail in a sworn statement explaining why that car is not their responsibility.

Ignoring it is a crime

Section 8.08.190 says it is "unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to fail or refuse to remove" a car once ordered. Tearing down a posted notice counts as an infraction, and blocking city crews mid-removal is banned outright.

Six cars out front, no more

Section 17.08.132 allows "no more than six vehicles" across the front yard and street side yard of a single-family home. Seven or more may stay up to 72 consecutive hours, with five days the ceiling in any 30. Households can apply for an exemption, but each vehicle needs current registration at that address. Lapsed tags on a dead car work against you.

Title and plates

Placer County keeps no title counter; California's DMV runs titles everywhere. In Rocklin both the seller and any lender listed sign the certificate of title. No notary shows up in DMV's private-sale steps. Your buyer pays DMV a $15 transfer fee. You, meanwhile, owe DMV REG 138 within five days, via dmv.ca.gov/nrl or on paper.

Title missing? Rocklin owners send in REG 227 with $28. Most see the replacement title in the mail 15 to 30 days later. Our junk car with no title guide walks through it. Regular plates go with the car. No smog test applies when it is sold to a dismantler. Statewide notes: California.

Getting an offer

Reach us online or at (877) 421-6008 about your Rocklin car. We pick up from driveways, curbs and mechanics' lots. Close by: Roseville and Lincoln.