Selling a dead or junk car in Altamonte Springs

The tag counts as much as the engine

Section 24-19 says vehicles "that are inoperable or that do not have a current and valid license plate" are "prohibited within the city, unless stored in a completely enclosed structure." The plate also needs its validation sticker. That means a healthy engine does not save a car whose sticker has lapsed.

Section 24-21 puts the burden on you. If a car "appears to be inoperable" and the owner fails or refuses to show a city inspector otherwise, it "shall be presumed to be inoperable."

The business exception in 24-46 covers vehicles at a lawful business when they are needed to run it. A home driveway is not that.

Fixing it yourself has a limit

In a residential district, outside repair of your own car is allowed for no more than "seventy-two (72) consecutive hours." After that, Section 24-21 says the car has to leave the property or go inside an enclosed garage for at least five consecutive days. A weekend repair that stalls runs into that line quickly. Section 24-19 adds that no car may sit in the front yard ahead of the house except on the approved driveway.

When the city or a property owner acts

• Public land (24-51): once notice is placed on the vehicle and delivered or mailed to the property owner, police impound it if it is still there five days later.
• Private lots (24-52): an owner or lessee may have a car parked without permission towed to the nearest storage site under Florida Statute 715.07.
• Streets (24-22): police may tow after 72 hours on a street, 24 hours in a city lot, or 12 hours on city property not meant for parking. A car left on a shoulder or median more than 24 hours is towed (24-10).
• Unpaid tickets (24-23): five or more unsettled parking notices can bring a boot or a tow. An impounded car not claimed within 30 days is disposed of, and release takes cash for towing, storage and fines.

After a tow, Section 24-24 says the owner must be sent notice of storage and costs, by certified mail with a return receipt, inside seven days. The charges become a lien on the car. Towed or impounded explains the next steps.

Title work in Seminole County

FLHSMV lists the Seminole County office at 1101 E. First St. in Sanford, (407) 665-1000. As the crow flies, that counter sits roughly 13 miles northeast of the city center.

Florida keeps the seller's part short. On the title's face you note the date and price, the current mileage, and the buyer with their address, all without a notary. Then:

• Unscrew the plate and keep it. In Florida the tag is the seller's, and it can ride on your next car.
• Within 30 days, give the state your Notice of Sale (HSMV 82050). Sections 1 and 3 are the seller's to fill; a buyer signature is optional.
• Lost the title? Form HSMV 82101 gets a duplicate for $75.25, plus $10.00 for Fast Title. See selling with no title.

Getting an offer

Start online or call (877) 421-6008. We will ask what the car is, the rough odometer reading, whether it cranks, and if there is a title to sign. Pickup happens where the car sits, whether that is a townhouse lot near I-4, a closed garage or a repair bay. Casselberry and Winter Park are next door, and the Florida page has statewide rules.