Selling a dead or junk car in Villa Rica

Villa Rica's code on dead cars

Section 16-7 names as a nuisance any "non-licensed and/or inoperable vehicles" that "are visible from the public street or neighboring property." The cure it gives is plain: each must be "stored in an enclosed accessory building or in an area not visible from public streets or neighboring properties." The same section treats "major auto repairs" the same way, so a long engine job in the front yard falls under it too.

The zoning ordinance adds a rule for every district. Section 8.02 bars outdoor storage that includes "parking of inoperative vehicles, junk, abandoned or unlicensed motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts or similar items" unless that district's own rules allow it.

A garage works, since 8.02 allows residential garages "for the storage of motor vehicles." A carport is less certain. Section 13.01 calls a carport "A covered automobile parking space not completely enclosed by walls or doors," and a car under one can still be seen from the road.

The city sets no clock, so state law does

The Villa Rica sections we read set no number of days before a car becomes a violation and no notice period. Georgia's definitions cover that ground. A car is abandoned when it sits alone on private property 30 days or longer. The same goes for one on public property five days or longer if it looks like the owner is not returning. The city may have enforcement rules of its own beyond what we found.

A Villa Rica towing company has 15 calendar days under Georgia law to reach each owner in person or by certified mail. The notice says a judge may order the car sold if the firm sues on its lien after ten calendar days pass.

Tag offices in Carroll and Douglas

Georgia titles go through a county tag office, not a DMV. We checked one in each county, and either county may have others:

• Douglas County: 6200 Fairburn Rd., Douglasville, (770) 920-7272. About 11 miles east of downtown Villa Rica, as the crow flies.
• Carroll County: 423 College Street, Carrollton, 770-830-5826. About 13 miles southwest, as the crow flies.

Handing over the title from Villa Rica

A Georgia sale is two jobs. Part one is the transfer section on the title's back. Under Seller, print and sign your name, ask each joint owner to do it too, and put the miles down as a whole number. Don't cross out or erase anything there, because alterations can void the title.

The second job is ending the registration. Georgia's DRIVES e-Services site does it online; on paper it is Form MV-18J, handed in at the Douglasville or Carrollton office. Do it before you cancel the insurance. Then unscrew the plates and keep them, since Georgia plates never go to the buyer.

Lost the title? Georgia charges $8.00 for a new one; the application is Form MV-1, and a lien has to be cleared first. Georgia does not title cars from 1985 or earlier. For those, a bill of sale is enough. More in junk car with no title and after you sell.

Getting an offer

Villa Rica sellers can ring (877) 421-6008 or use the offer form. Our driver goes out to it, in a Carroll side driveway, a lot near downtown or a shop in Douglasville. Neighbors: Carrollton and Powder Springs. Statewide rules are on the Georgia page.