Selling a dead or junk car in Bridgeport

The lawn rule, and how the ticket grows

The yard rule covers cars, trucks, boats, RVs and motorcycles. Two exceptions are written in: a camper may sit on the lawn of a rear yard, and cars may park on private property for an event that has a permit, only while the permit lasts.

The penalty does not stay put. Under the code, if you do not deal with the ticket "within 14 days from the date of issuance thereof, then the penalty will increase to $100," and it rises to $150 if it is still unpaid at 30 days. Then comes the tow clause: "If the balance owed exceeds two hundred dollars ($200.00), or if the car is in violation for seventy-two (72) hours or longer, the city will tow."

So a car that cannot be driven back onto the pavement has two clocks on it. One counts hours on the grass. The other counts dollars on the ticket.

When the city calls it a junk motor vehicle

Section 15.16.010 sets the definition. A junk motor vehicle is one "not displaying proper registration plates and is worn out, inoperative, constitutes a health hazard, or which is ready for dismantling or destruction." Both halves matter. A dead car in the driveway with its plates removed fits the definition. The same chapter counts junk motor vehicles as "refuse," next to brush, weeds and trash, and lists "abandoned automobiles" under rubbish.

The anti-blight chapter, 8.76.020, works on a separate track. It lets the city weigh "cars that are abandoned or inoperable (unless the premises is a legally zoned junk yard) for more than thirty (30) days" when deciding whether a property is blighted. It points to the Bridgeport Zoning Code for the details.

Snow nights and alternate-side parking

When the mayor declares a snow or ice accumulation, alternate-side parking starts under Section 10.12.090. You park on the even-numbered side from 7 a.m. on an even date until 7 a.m. the next day, then on the odd side the day after. A car that will not start cannot make that switch. The code says a car on the wrong side "shall be issued a parking ticket and/or removed by towing at the discretion of the police department." It stays impounded until the towing, storage and fine are paid.

Getting a towed car back

Bridgeport's two impound sections read almost the same, with one difference. A car towed under the ordinary removal rules (10.24.070) costs a $5 fine at the police department. A car towed during a snow emergency (10.28.070) costs a fine of "not more than fifteen dollars ($15.00)." In both, you take proof of the paid fine to the pound and pay the towing fee. No car is released until the claimant can "establish his identity and right to possession of the vehicle" and signs a receipt. See towed or impounded if the car you want to sell is already at a pound.

The DMV office on Sylvan Avenue

Connecticut has no town title office. Titles come from the state DMV. We looked up the DMV office at 95 Sylvan Avenue, about 1 mile north of downtown Bridgeport, measured direct. The DMV runs other offices too, and most offer appointments.

Many Bridgeport sellers never stand at a counter. A Bridgeport seller signs the title's back, and the buyer takes it home along with a bill of sale. Bridgeport sellers may use Form H-31. A homemade bill of sale works in Bridgeport if it shows both parties' names and addresses, the car's make, model, year, color and VIN, plus the price, date and a signature. Keep copies.

Plates, the registration and the tax bill

You remove the plates and keep them. Next, Bridgeport sellers cancel the DMV registration. It runs about 7 minutes online, and its receipt proves the car is no longer yours. With no release-of-liability form in Connecticut, the receipt is your proof. Keep liability insurance until the cancellation goes through. Until that happens, the town still lists the car for property tax. Got a Bridgeport tax bill after the sale? Show the Bridgeport assessor that receipt plus a copy of your bill of sale. Car property tax explains more.

Two title details catch people out. Once a car passes 20 model years, Connecticut issues it no title at all. A Bridgeport seller passes it on using Form Q-1 plus the newest registration certificate. A newer car that should have a title cannot go to a licensed recycler without one; the recycler must receive the title and stamp it "JUNKED". A lost title is replaced with Form H-6B for $25, mailed within 20 business days.

Nearby towns

Stratford is 3.7 miles from the middle of Bridgeport and Fairfield 4.0, with Trumbull 6.0 miles north. West Haven is 13.2 miles up the coast. Statewide rules are on the Connecticut page.

Getting an offer

Call or use the form for your Bridgeport car, and say if you hold the title (or the registration, for an older car). Ask online or call (877) 421-6008. We pick it up from the driveway, from the lawn before the 72 hours end, or from a shop.