Selling a dead or junk car in Jupiter

The nuisance rule and its screening exception

Section 13-69 deems any junked vehicle, or any "abandoned, wrecked or derelict property," on a lot in town a public nuisance. It is unlawful to let one stay on your own land. Three exceptions apply: a car shut away inside a building where nobody can see it, a car at a licensed dealer or junkyard, and an unlicensed inoperable car on private property that is kept from being a health hazard and screened "by means of a fence, trees, shrubbery or other lawful means." The code says that last one exists for "temporary storage of such a vehicle during a period of continuous activity of necessary repairs." A car nobody is working on does not fit it.

Ten days, a hearing, then removal

When the enforcement officer finds a junked vehicle on private property, Section 13-72 has a notice of abandoned property posted. It says the car "must be removed within ten days." Inside that same period you may ask for a pre-taking hearing by contacting the town clerk at Jupiter Town Hall, 210 South Perry Avenue. The notice warns in capitals that failing to ask in time "WILL ACT AS A WAIVER OF YOUR RIGHT TO A HEARING."

If you ask, Section 13-76 sets the hearing no more than ten days after the request, before the town council or an officer it names. If no hearing is requested, or the hearing upholds the notice, Section 13-78 lets the town remove and destroy the car. The town keeps any salvage value against its costs. The owner is liable for the rest, and refusing to pay brings a fine of $100.00.

Tow rules worth knowing

Section 19-143 caps what non-consent tow companies may do in town. Storage is charged only after a car has been in the yard at least six hours. Gate fees may apply when you pick a car up between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. If you reach the scene before the car is towed, the driver may charge nothing unless it is fully hooked up, and then no more than half the posted rate.

Title office from Jupiter

Jupiter's title business runs through an office in West Palm Beach, on the 3rd Floor of number 301, North Olive Avenue. Ring (561) 355-2264 first. A straight line south from the center of town covers about 15 miles, as the crow flies.

Florida rules at the sale

Signing over a Jupiter car needs no notary. Across the face of the title go the buyer, mileage, sale price and date. Your tag leaves with you. The Notice of Sale (HSMV 82050) goes in within 30 days; sellers fill sections 1 and 3 only.

Long layup? Florida waives the license tax for a dead-storage period backed by an affidavit, notarized or certified. It can matter when an old registration gets settled.

Getting an offer

Phone (877) 421-6008 or use the online form and jot down when it was built, the badge on the trunk, the miles, whether the engine still catches, and how the paperwork looks. Behind the fence, inside the garage or at a mechanic's lot, the truck goes to it. Nearby: Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach. See Florida for statewide rules.