Getting rid of a dead or junk car in Fort Myers

The rule, in the city's words

Section 54-246 makes it unlawful to keep "any abandoned, junked or discarded motor vehicle upon any public or private property within the city." There are two ways out: the car is "completely enclosed within a building," or it is part of a lawful business. Every day it remains is its own offense, per the code.

Ten days, then a warrant

Section 54-247 calls even one such car "a nuisance, detrimental to the health, safety and welfare" of residents. The chief of police has a notice posted on the car. It warns that if the car is not "removed and lawfully stored within ten days from the date of posting," then "a warrant of arrest shall be issued" against whoever kept it there. That covers an owner, a tenant or an agent.

If no one acts, or the owner cannot be found, Section 54-248 lets the chief of police have the car "removed and lawfully stored." It stays there until "all costs of removal and storage shall have been paid" and plans are made to repair it or dispose of it.

Boots and private lots

• Boot. Under Section 86-63, the parking operator may immobilize a car on a public street, lot or other city property when it has "five unpaid and outstanding parking tickets or one unpaid and outstanding handicap violation."
• Tow-away zones. Police and the parking operator can impound unoccupied cars parked against city rules. The owner pays "all costs and fees" of towing, impoundment and retrieval.
• Private lots. Section 86-263 requires photographs of the "offending" vehicle before it is hauled away. The tow driver must also get the property owner's signature for that specific car. The owner needs a written towing agreement signed "at least 24 hours prior."

If a car is already in a lot, see towed or impounded.

Where to handle the title

Fort Myers has the Lee County title office in town, at 2480 Thompson Street. Call (239) 533-6000. As the crow flies, it is about 3 miles northwest of the city's center.

Florida title and plate rules

No notary stands between you and the sale in Florida. The seller writes in, up front on the title, who bought the car, its mileage, the price and the sale date, then signs. Unscrew the plate and take it home, since it can ride on your next car. Then file form HSMV 82050, Florida's Notice of Sale, inside 30 days, so the car drops off your record. Missing the title on an older car? If it is valued under $1,000 and dates back 10 or more model years, a salvage dealer may buy it once you fill out HSMV 82137, the derelict form. After that it is scrap for good. After you sell walks through the last steps.

Nearby

Cape Coral is 10.4 miles off, Estero 13.4, Bonita Springs 18.4 and Punta Gorda 24.1. The Florida page has the statewide rules.

Getting an offer

Online or at (877) 421-6008, describe the car: model year and maker, the odometer reading, if it can drive at all, and who holds the title. Years of sitting do not rule a car out; see car sitting for years. Our truck comes to it, from a house near the old courthouse downtown to a parking garage or a repair shop.