Selling a dead or junk car in Grayslake

What the property code expects

Section 15.24.020 sets three limits for cars kept outside:

• A car without "a current registration" or a plate with a valid sticker cannot be parked on any property "for a period of more than seven (7) days" unless it is in an enclosed permanent building.
• A car that "is incapable of being driven shall not be parked, kept or stored outside of an enclosed building or structure."
• No car may be stripped, dismantled or in "a state of major disassembly" outdoors.

Section 8.04.010 adds the enforcement step. Everyone must "dispose of inoperable motor vehicles under their control" once they get written notice from the village or the police chief. That chapter exempts a car parked inside a building, one down only for ordinary service, and any car kept on a lot where the business itself wrecks or junks cars.

Streets, snow and the fine schedule

A dead car does not get a day of grace on the curb. Section 10.16.060 says "it is unlawful to leave any vehicle unattended on the streets of the village for more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours," and such a car is removed as abandoned. Under Section 10.24.020, an abandoned car gets prior notice and a hearing opportunity before a tow; hazardous and unlawful ones get none.

The fine table in Section 10.32.050 climbs if you wait. Parking longer than 24 hours, or parking after a 2-inch snowfall, is $15 if paid within 14 days, $30 after 14 days and $60 after 28. Village parking facilities are off limits too: the village bans inoperable or unregistered cars from its designated public parking facilities.

Three strikes and the chronic list

Grayslake keeps a chronic nuisance list. A property lands on it after "three or more nuisance activities or conditions" in any 120-day period, and outdoor storage of an inoperable car is one of them. Once on it, a property stays there until it has been nuisance-free for 24 consecutive months. The village can record the status with the Lake County recorder, and separate fines start at $100.

Selling it the Illinois way

Lake County keeps no titles. That job belongs to the Secretary of State. You can mail it to Springfield or walk into a state facility. On the certificate, you fill in the Assignment of Title block. On a Grayslake title, each party to the sale prints and signs a name in that spot, along with the odometer certification. Nothing in the SOS seller steps asks a Grayslake seller for a notary.

Unbolt your plates before the buyer pulls away, since they stay yours. A Grayslake bill of sale lists the sale date and price, along with who bought it and their address. Grayslake sellers mail the Notice of Sale stub to Springfield right away, or a VSD 703 when there's no stub. Once the car belongs to someone else, its Lake County emissions schedule is their concern. After you sell covers the loose ends.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or fill in the form: the car's maker, model and year, a mileage guess, whether the engine catches, and the title status. We collect from Grayslake driveways and from the shop that gave you the bad diagnosis. Neighbors can check Round Lake Beach, Mundelein and Libertyville. The Illinois page has the state rules.