Junk cars in Newington: the town's rules and how to sell one

The warning, then the notice

Chapter 410 puts the Zoning Enforcement Officer in charge, or the Chief when the Town Manager directs it. Section 410-6 says that when that officer finds a junked car on private land in Newington, a written warning is sent. In Newington it is delivered by hand, or by certified mail with a return receipt, to whoever controls the land and to its owner.

The warning spells out that a car remaining "after the expiration of 10 consecutive days from the date of issuance of the written warning" triggers the next stage. That next stage is a written notice of violation, sent to the property's occupant, its owner and the car's owner if known. It comes with "an appraisal of condition of the vehicle report which shall list the components of the vehicle which cause it to be in violation." In plain terms, the town tells you exactly what is wrong.

The definition in section 410-2 is short: "A motor vehicle located on private property which is inoperable." Loose parts count too, down to iron, metal, glass or plastic that "have been a part or intended to be a part of any motor vehicle."

What is exempt

Section 410-3 leaves out three places:

• cars "under cover"
• a licensed recycler's yard that meets zoning
• town-run storage

The definitions list in 410-2 includes the phrase "completely enclosed in a garage or other building serving the purpose of a garage," so plan on four walls and a roof.

There is also a repair allowance. With an approved application you can keep one extra junked car for parts. It may stay "for a period not to exceed 60 days," and you get one such period a year. It cannot sit in the front yard or side lot. Parts go inside the car or in a permitted structure, and an uncovered parts car needs "an opaque tarpaulin whenever work is not being performed."

If the town hauls it away

Section 410-8 lets Newington bill the car's owner or the person controlling the land for removal and disposal. Any sale of the car lowers the bill. Leave it unpaid "within 30 days" of billing and the town may go to court. Separately, section 410-9 has the Chief send the state's motor vehicle commissioner a written report on each junked car: its location, when it was first spotted, and details that could identify its owner.

Paperwork for a Newington seller

Connecticut handles titles at the state level, so Town Hall plays no part. Straight-line, as the crow flies, the DMV's Wethersfield address at 60 State Street is around 4 miles northeast of Newington's center.

Sign the back of the certificate. Give your Newington buyer that and a bill of sale, and keep copies of both. If a car needs a title, state law says a licensed recycler has to get that title before taking the car, and then stamps it "JUNKED." Can't find yours? Form H-6B orders a replacement, costs $25.00, and the DMV says it arrives by mail within 20 business days. Newington cars past 20 model years old aren't titled, so you sell one with Form Q-1 and its latest registration.

The plates are yours. Pull them, cancel the registration online and save the plate disposition receipt. Newington's tax rolls keep the car listed until the DMV finishes that cancellation. Should the assessor send a bill anyway, answer it with that receipt and your copy of the sale paper. Car property tax explains more.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or fill in the form. Newington owners can start with the offer form. We collect near Saint Mary Church, from a backyard project or wherever it stalled. Nearby: New Britain, Wethersfield and West Hartford. See Connecticut for state rules.