How to sell a junk car in Thousand Oaks

The front yard, the driveway and the neighbor's window

Item (6) of Section 1-6.01 covers vehicles, campers, trailers and other mobile equipment "parking in any inoperative condition or obvious state of disrepair in the front yard area, in a driveway, or visible while standing at ground level from a point within five (5) feet of any dwelling located on adjoining property in a residential zone." That last clause reaches beyond the front of the house. A dead car in a side yard can qualify if the people next door can see it from beside their own walls.

Item (8) of the same section lists "repairs, dismantling or body work" on a driveway or yard of a residential lot as a nuisance under conditions the section spells out. A months-long engine swap in the driveway can run into it.

The 30-day rule, everywhere else

Section 5-10.16 applies to "any licensed or unlicensed vehicle," so being registered does not exempt a car. In Thousand Oaks, 30 days is the limit. Past that, an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative car on private or public land off the highways falls under the rule, minus the exceptions the section lists. Read the whole section before counting on one.

Notice, hearing and removal

Under Thousand Oaks Section 5-10.09, the city must mail "a ten (10) day notice of intention to abate and remove" "by registered mail to the owner of the land and to the owner of the vehicle." The copy the landowner gets says the car has to be gone "within ten (10) days from the date of mailing." If the car is still there, the city hauls it off and charges the landowner its costs plus administrative costs.

You can contest it by writing to the Community Development Director within those ten days. Section 5-10.10 then requires the hearing notice to be "mailed, by registered mail, at least ten (10) days before the hearing." A landowner's "sworn written statement denying responsibility" counts as a request, and the landowner need not attend. If no one asks in time, the city can remove the car "without holding a public hearing."

Under state law, a Thousand Oaks street car can be towed after sitting "72 or more consecutive hours" in breach of a local rule.

California title and plates for Thousand Oaks

Titles are the state DMV's job here, at its field offices, not the county's. A Thousand Oaks seller signs the title, and so does any lienholder. A notary isn't on the DMV's private-sale list. The buyer pays the $15 transfer fee when turning it in.

Five days after the sale is the deadline for REG 138; it can be filed on the DMV website or by post. In Thousand Oaks, ordinary plates stay on the car you sell. For a fee, you can put personalized or special-interest plates on a different car. A junker going to a dismantler skips the smog test. After you sell covers the rest.

Nearby towns

Moorpark is 6.4 miles away as the crow flies, Simi Valley 8.8 and Camarillo 9.2. A car with a failed engine is covered in blown engine, and statewide rules are on the California page.

Getting an offer

Use the form or call (877) 421-6008. Call (877) 421-6008 or use the form for your Thousand Oaks car. Our truck can take it off the driveway the code targets, or from a garage, side yard or shop.