Junk and dead cars in San Carlos: the notice, the hearing, the sale

How San Carlos wrote its rule

Vehicle Code 22660 hands every California city the power to write its own abatement ordinance. San Carlos used it for Chapter 8.08. Two letters go out when the city decides a car qualifies: one addressed to the landowner, one to whoever the DMV shows as the car's registered or legal owner. Ignore yours and the city tows the car, then bills the property owner for removal "together with Administrative expenses."

The hearing goes through the police

San Carlos wants hearing requests sent to the Police Chief at City Hall, 600 Elm Street, and they must land within 10 days of the mailing. A timely request puts the matter before the Zoning Administrator, who rules on both removal and costs. A late or missing one hands removal authority to the Chief of Police. Our guide to a notice to remove a car sets out the options.

Three dates when the car can go

Chapter 8.08 says the vehicle "may be disposed of by removal to a scrapyard or automobile dismantler's yard" once one of these passes:

• 10 days after the San Carlos notice is mailed, with no hearing asked for
• 10 days after a notice of decision goes out, where the code requires one
• 10 days after the governing body okays removal on appeal

Parked on a San Carlos street

The Chapter 8.08 text we quote covers private and public property. Streets fall to state law. San Carlos can have a car towed under Vehicle Code 22651 once it sits 72 hours straight, breaking a local parking rule. A San Carlos car missing any one of these can be towed off the public right-of-way right then under Vehicle Code 22669: engine, transmission, wheels or tires, doors, windshield.

Smog, and registration you skipped

In California, a seller usually orders the Smog Check and passes the report to the buyer. San Carlos owners selling a car to be wrecked or dismantled skip that inspection. A second cost hides in a parked car: every unregistered year carries fees and penalties, unless you filed Planned Non-Operation on REG 102. Sitting for years covers it.

REG 138 and your liability

The seller's last form is REG 138, and San Carlos sellers have 5 days to get it to the DMV. When it's on record, Vehicle Code 5602 shifts tickets and lawsuits dated after the sale to the buyer. In San Carlos you sign the title, and so does any lienholder. See California for every state step.

Getting an offer

Use the form or ring (877) 421-6008. The offer form covers what we need about your San Carlos car. Nearby: Belmont at 1.8 miles and Redwood City at 3.2.