Rocky Hill: selling a junk car or one that won't start

The 48-hour permit

This is the clock most people miss. The chapter makes it unlawful to keep "an abandoned, junked, discarded or unlicensed motor vehicle or unsightly material upon any private land" in town "without a permit". The timing: "A permit must be applied for from the Zoning Enforcement Officer, for any motor vehicle not in compliance with § 234-2, within 48 hours after such vehicle has been parked on any property within the Town."

Dealers and repair garages holding cars "for the purpose of sale or repair" are exempt from the unlicensed test. A driveway at home is not.

How the town decides a car is junked

The code looks at intent, and it spells out how intent is judged: "the physical condition of the motor vehicle, the statements of the owner of the motor vehicle, the length of time since the motor vehicle was last used on the public highway and whether the motor vehicle is registered or unregistered." So a car in rough shape that has been off the road a long time with no registration gives the town more to go on.

Permit revoked, car removed

A permit can be taken back. "Notice of such revocation shall be delivered to the permittee or posted conspicuously on the motor vehicle", along with an order to remove it to proper storage or disposal.

If there is no permit, the Zoning Enforcement Officer or an assistant can, after written notice, remove "any inoperable motor vehicle" as defined in Section 234-1 from unenclosed private property. The car goes "to the automobile impound yard or such other proper storage area" and is "disposed of in accordance with the law."

The DMV is close by

Connecticut issues titles at the state DMV, not at Town Hall. The DMV office we checked for Rocky Hill is at 60 State Street in Wethersfield, a 4-mile hop north as the crow flies. Most offices take appointments.

Sign the Rocky Hill car over on the title's back. Include a bill of sale. You can use Form H-31 or make one yourself. It must name both of you with addresses, describe the car by make, model, year, color and VIN, and show the price, the date and your signature. See our bill of sale guide. A licensed recycler must get the title for any car that needs one, and stamps it "JUNKED".

Before the tax bill comes

Rocky Hill keeps charging property tax on the car until you cancel the registration. Take off the plates, cancel online, and keep the plate disposition receipt as proof. Keep insurance until the cancellation goes through. An unpaid town tax bill matters later as well: a town can report an owner as delinquent, and the DMV then denies registrations in that name. Should Rocky Hill tax the car a second time, show the assessor that receipt along with your bill of sale copy. More in after you sell.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or reach out online. Say what the car is, the miles showing, if it starts up, and when the registration expired. If your registration lapsed a while ago, our car sitting for years guide fits. Wethersfield and Newington are nearby towns with their own pages; the Connecticut page has the statewide rules.