Selling a junk or dead car in Vallejo

Vallejo's view of a car that won't run

Any California city can clear out dead cars under Vehicle Code 22660. Vallejo did. Section 7.64.010 records the council's reasons: such cars "invite plundering," "create fire hazards" and offer "a harborage for rodents." Its conclusion covers more than whole cars. It reaches "an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle, or part thereof," and calls that "a public nuisance."

Ten days, and what to do with them

In Vallejo, Section 7.64.100 opens things with a "notice of intention to abate and remove." Section 7.64.110 then lists your options:

• Object in writing. Either the car's owner or the landowner gets ten days, counted from when the notice is "received and/or posted," to request a public hearing.
• Deny it by affidavit. Own the ground but not the car? A sworn statement denying responsibility, filed inside those ten days, works as a request "which does not require his presence."
• Watch the mail. Once a hearing is scheduled, Vallejo sends registered mail to both owners "at least ten days before the hearing date."
• Or stay silent. Then Vallejo may haul the car "without holding a public hearing," on a written order from the city manager or a representative.

The board also rules on charging Vallejo's removal and administrative costs "against the property on which it is located." Landlords, read that clause twice.

Vallejo tows and the 24-hour hearing officers

Before any towing and storage lien attaches, Section 7.64.005 lets an owner contest "the factual basis of the tow." The police chief picks officers to act as abandoned vehicle hearing officers, and they work "on a twenty-four-hour basis." A tow found wrongful means release "forthwith." Tow operators must tell anyone reclaiming a car that this hearing exists. Speed matters, because Vallejo will not pay the full storage when an owner "unreasonably delays in requesting a hearing."

Section 7.71.070 adds early release for some impounds under that chapter, such as a stolen car, or a driver "arrested without probable cause."

The tow yard's side is in state law. Civil Code 3068.1 gives the yard a possessory lien. Civil Code 3072 has the yard start a lien sale within 15 days on a Vallejo car worth $4,000 or under. The owner then receives a Notice of Pending Lien Sale. Vallejo bidding starts 31 to 41 days after that notice goes out. A Vallejo owner who wants a court hearing has 10 days to send back the "Declaration of Opposition." See towed or impounded.

Waterfront parking caps

Section 8.20.186 limits Vallejo's paid program parking areas to "five consecutive days, (one hundred twenty consecutive hours)." Holders of a residential or marina berther permit from the city are the exception. Vehicle Code 22651 also lets Vallejo tow a car that sits in one place for 72 hours against a city ordinance.

Paperwork for a Vallejo sale

California's DMV, not Solano County, handles titles. You sign the California title, and so does any lienholder still on it. The Vallejo buyer brings it in and covers the $15 transfer fee. California DMV's steps for a Vallejo seller never call for a notary. Lost the title? Start with REG 227, covered in selling with no title.

Next comes REG 138, the "Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability." California gives you five days after the sale. Vallejo sellers may mail a paper copy or submit it at dmv.ca.gov/nrl. After DMV logs it, Vehicle Code 5602 shifts later tickets onto the buyer.

Smog: California exempts a Vallejo car sold so it can be wrecked or dismantled. Most Vallejo sales require the seller to give the buyer a passing Smog Check. Standard plates generally ride along with the car. After you sell has the full list; the California page covers state rules.

Around Vallejo

Straight-line distances from Vallejo: American Canyon 5.0 miles, Hercules 6.1, Benicia 6.3, San Pablo 10.9 and Martinez 11.0.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or send the form. Vallejo sellers can call (877) 421-6008 or fill in the offer form. Pickup is free anywhere in the US, so the truck can come to a Vallejo curb, a backyard or a shop lot that has given up on the car.