Westminster's junk car code, and selling a car that quit

The roadworthiness test

Section 8-1-12 makes it unlawful "to store or keep or permit to be stored or kept any vehicle, or parts thereof, that are inoperable or obviously not in a roadworthy condition." Its examples:

• a flat tire or tires
• excessively leaking fluids
• broken, damaged or missing head lamps, tail lamps or blinkers
• a damaged windshield or rear window, or broken wipers
• no proper and current registration plates

The section carries some exceptions, and Westminster owners whose car sits in a garage should check the full wording. For anything parked in view, assume the list applies.

Where a car may park at home

Section 10-1-12 bans parking any car "in any front yard or side yard on street, unless such vehicles are parked on a driveway paved with concrete, asphalt, rock or gravel, or in a side yard behind a lawfully constructed six-foot privacy fence." The same section allows one car per home to show a For Sale or For Lease sign in the driveway, with the owner's address on the sign, as long as the car meets the rest of the section.

Three street limits

Westminster's street clocks run at different speeds:

1. Plates required. Under Section 10-1-12, a car that must be licensed may not park on a street or city lot "unless a valid license is properly displayed on the vehicle."
2. 15 days for plated cars. Section 8-1-12 bars a plated car from remaining "stationary or unused for more than 15 consecutive days" on a city street.
3. 24 to 48 hours unattended. Section 10-1-17 presumes a car abandoned after 24 hours on a street, unless the owner posted a note or told police or community services they plan to return. Even with that note, "if the vehicle has been left unattended for longer than 48 hours, it shall be presumed to be abandoned." Off the street, on someone's property, more than 24 hours without the owner's arrangement brings the same presumption.

Before a tow, the code requires "a bona fide effort" to reach the owner. A towed car is released only after the towing, storage and administrative charges are paid. If you dispute the tow, Section 8-3-22 limits the court hearing to whether there was "probable cause to impound." A parking citation can be appealed within 21 days of issue.

County and state paperwork

Westminster spans Adams and Jefferson counties, and Colorado wants title errands handled in your own county of residence. On the Adams side, the office we checked is in Brighton, Suite E2001 at 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy., 720.523.6010. As the crow flies from central Westminster, Brighton is about 13 miles east. Jefferson-side neighbors use Jefferson County's office.

A Westminster car parked so long that its registration lapsed has one wrinkle: past 13 months expired, renewal happens only in person at the county. For the sale itself, write your signature and printed name in the title's Seller section the way the front prints it, collect a signature from each listed co-owner, and add the price, date and mileage. Selling in Westminster, you won't need a notary per the DMV's steps.

A Westminster gas car past seven model years old needs an emissions test if the buyer lives in a Denver metro testing county. A dead Westminster car is not automatically stuck: the DMV says some inoperable cars may be sold in the program area under certain criteria, and it takes those calls at 303-205-5603.

Then take the plates, which belong to you, and file "Report Release of Liability" on myDMV within 5 days.

Getting an offer

Phone (877) 421-6008 or use the form. Use the form for your Westminster car. Our truck can reach a gravel driveway, a spot behind a privacy fence, or a repair shop. Northglenn is about 5 miles away and Broomfield about 5; for statewide rules, see Colorado. Not sure it is worth fixing? See car doesn't run.