Selling a dead car in Santa Monica

The 48-hour yard rule

The second clock here is shorter. Section 9.21.100 says "No sales, rentals, long-term storage, repair work, dismantling, or servicing of any motor vehicle" may take place in a front yard or side yard. Fixing a car is allowed only "provided that the work continues for a period not to exceed 48 hours," and "Long-term storage shall mean storage for a period of 48 or more consecutive hours."

Where zoning does permit outdoor storage, the city wants it "screened from any public street." In practice, a broken car left in a Santa Monica front or side yard runs into this rule long before the 30-day litter line.

That makes parting a car out at home a poor fit in this city. Pulling parts is dismantling, and front and side yards are off limits for it. A whole-car sale sidesteps the problem.

After a litter notice

Chapter 7.48 gives an owner "ten days after notice has been given" to dispose of the litter. If a properly addressed letter came back undelivered, the window is "twenty days after the date of mailing such notice." After that, the code hands things to a city director.

Penalties in the chapter range from an infraction "punishable by a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars" up to a misdemeanor with jail time of up to six months.

Vehicle Code 22651 lets Santa Monica tow a car that sits on one street for three days straight against a local rule.

Selling it: the California side

Title. A Santa Monica seller signs the state's Certificate of Title, as does any lender listed on it. Paying the DMV's $15 and filing is on the buyer, and the agency's seller instructions mention no notary. Lost the title? REG 227 gets you a replacement for $28. More at junk car with no title.

Smog. A car bound for a dismantler or wrecker needs no inspection.

Release of liability. Within five days of the sale, file REG 138 on the DMV site or by mail. Once it is on record, later tickets and legal claims go to the buyer.

Plates. In Santa Monica, regular plates stay with the car. You can pay a fee to shift personalized and special plates to a different car. Once a Santa Monica car is recorded as junk, its plates are returned to the DMV.

Nearby

Los Angeles is 5.0 miles away and Culver City 5.8. Beverly Hills is 7.2 miles and Manhattan Beach 8.8. See California for statewide rules.

Getting an offer

Fill out the form or call (877) 421-6008. Tell us about your Santa Monica car, and the form covers the rest. Our tow truck can load it from a carport off Ocean Avenue, a building garage, or a mechanic's lot.