Selling a dead or junk car in Lynn Haven

Fourteen days, then a nuisance

Section 26-97 forbids leaving a vehicle in "an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, rusted, junked or partially dismantled condition" on any public or private property in Lynn Haven "for a period of time in excess of 14 days." The phrase "whether attended or not" closes the obvious loophole: checking on the car does not make it legal.

The code calls the car itself "a public nuisance which may be abated." Its exceptions are a vehicle "enclosed within a building on private property," vehicles kept by a licensed business in the right zone, and race cars built for drag strips.

What removal looks like

After the notice, there are two paths to the same result under Section 26-104. Either the violation "has not been remedied within the 14-day period," or the city commission confirms it after notice and a public hearing under Sections 26-100 through 26-103. Then "the code inspector or his designee shall have the right to take possession of the junked or abandoned motor vehicle and remove it from the premises."

It is "unlawful for any person to interfere with, hinder or refuse to allow" the inspector onto private property for that purpose.

Buying it back costs more than the tow

Section 26-109 lets the owner redeem a seized vehicle "at any time after its removal, but prior to the sale or destruction thereof." You need proof of ownership, and you pay "the expenses incurred by the city," which the code says include removal, advertising, attorney's fees and an abstract of title. On a car that was already dead, that bill can be the end of the math. Selling it before the 14 days run out avoids the question. If it is already gone, see junk car removal.

Parking a car that can't move

Section 66-2 says "no vehicle shall be parked in such a manner as to block access from a private road or driveway to the public streets." A dead car left across a shared drive breaks that rule on top of the junk rule. On streets without markings, cars must park parallel to the curb, no more than 12 inches away.

Bay County title office

FLHSMV's Bay County listing is 850 W. 11th St., Panama City, (850) 248-8501. The office is about 5 miles southwest of central Lynn Haven as the crow flies. An electronic title takes a visit: buyer and seller go together with photo ID.

Title, plate and notice rules in Florida

If the car is titled to you, the block on the front called "Transfer of Title by Seller" is yours to complete: purchaser, purchaser's address, miles, price, date. Florida asks for no notary. If the title belongs to a parent, a former partner or a tenant, see car not in your name before you do anything.

Replace a lost title before you sell. No title? A derelict certificate, HSMV 82137, is the exception for a Lynn Haven car valued under $1,000 that FLHSMV would count as 10 model years old or more. Only a licensed salvage dealer or registered recycler may buy it that way, and the car never carries a title again. Any loan has to be paid, with the lender reporting it.

Unscrew the plate before the truck leaves; it is yours to reuse, or to turn in when its insurance is being cancelled. Within 30 days, file FLHSMV's "Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale," HSMV 82050.

Getting an offer

At (877) 421-6008 or online, we need the basics: year and model, mileage, whether it starts, and who has the title. Pickup can be a Lynn Haven backyard, a rental property or a repair shop. Panama City is 6.4 miles away and Panama City Beach 14.3 miles; both have pages, and Florida covers the state.