Selling a junk car in Santa Rosa

Two clocks, two chapters

The 24-hour rule sits in the zoning and property-maintenance title. A second rule, in Chapter 11-36, sets a longer limit that reaches further. Section 11-36.160 bars leaving "any licensed or unlicensed vehicle or parts thereof which is in an inoperable condition upon any private or public property, including highways, within the City for a period in excess of 72 or more consecutive hours" unless it is "completely enclosed within a building".

Note the words "including highways". Many California cities leave streets out of their abatement chapter. Santa Rosa's covers them.

The same zoning section also lists:

• keeping "any vehicle in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled"
• parking on an unimproved lot, or in a required front or side setback, anywhere other than "a lawfully established driveway, or within an approved garage or carport"

A major overhaul, "including body work and painting", is allowed only "inside a structure or similarly enclosed area designed and approved for such purposes."

Who enforces it

Santa Rosa gives the job to a Vehicle Abatement Officer, who "shall have the authority to cause the abatement and removal" of a dead car "on private or public property" (Section 11-36.060).

The notice

Section 11-36.090 has a ten-day notice of intent to abate mailed "by registered or certified mail to the owner of the land as shown on the last equalized assessment roll and to the last registered and legal owner of record". The deadline printed for the landowner is removal "within 10 days from the date of mailing of this notice". After that, Santa Rosa removes the car itself and charges the landowner for the removal plus administrative costs.

Removed cars end up at a scrapyard, a dismantler's yard or a public disposal site. "If the vehicle or parts thereof is not claimed and removed" from there "within 12 days after the notice to dispose of vehicle is mailed, final disposition may proceed." Our notice to remove a car guide covers what to do once the letter arrives.

A removed car stays dead

Section 11-36.130 adds a rule that matters to anyone with a stalled restoration. Once the city removes a car, "it shall not thereafter be reconstructed or made operable". Only a car that qualifies for "either horseless carriage license plates or historical vehicle license plates pursuant to Section 5004 of the California Vehicle Code" may be rebuilt. Selling a project car before the city takes it keeps the choice in your hands. See old project car.

Sonoma County and smog

Sonoma is one of six counties on the DMV's list of partial-biennial smog counties by ZIP code, with El Dorado, Placer, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. That appendix is marked revised November 2011, so its ZIP lists may be dated. California requires smog certification when ownership changes, across all its program areas, with some exemptions.

A junk car is one of them: selling a car so it can be dismantled takes the inspection off the table.

Title and plates

Santa Rosa sellers sign their California title in the seller's spot, a listed lienholder signs as well, and the buyer handles the DMV filing. DMV's private-sale steps contain no notary requirement. A lost title is replaced first with REG 227.

REG 138 is due within five days after you sell; DMV accepts it online or by mail. A report of sale on file also shields you under Vehicle Code 22523 if a later owner abandons the Santa Rosa car. In Santa Rosa, standard plates normally go with the car to its buyer. For a fee, a personalized or special plate can move over to another car you own.

Nearby towns

Rohnert Park is 6.8 miles from Santa Rosa in a straight line, Windsor 8.7, Petaluma 14.7 and Napa 24.2. The California page has the state rules.

Getting an offer

Santa Rosa spans 42.606 square miles of land. Phone (877) 421-6008 or send the form with the model, the year, the mileage and the state of the title, and say whether the car sits in a driveway, a back yard or at the curb. Our driver comes to that spot.