Selling a junk or dead car in Des Moines

The nuisance rule, word by word

Three words carry Section 42-348: unlicensed, unsafe and inoperable. Any one of them is enough, on a street or a private lot, unless the vehicle is inside an enclosed building.

• Unlicensed means "any vehicle or trailer that is not displaying a current license as required by state law."
• Inoperable covers cars that do not run, and the definitions extend to boats and trailers.
• And the contents therein. The rule covers whatever is piled inside the car, not just the car.

Renewing the tags does not cure a car that does not run. Section 42-346 says "Mere licensing of an inoperable or unsafe motor vehicle or trailer shall not constitute a defense to the finding that the presence of any vehicle constitutes a nuisance."

Pulled parts get their own entry in the same list: "vehicular component parts" and tires kept outdoors count separately from the car.

Landlords have their own rule

The property maintenance chapter speaks to owners directly. Section 61-34 says "No owner shall allow for inoperable motor vehicles or motor vehicles that are in violation of other provisions of the Municipal Code on the property." Its definition, in 61-8, reaches any car that "cannot be driven upon the public street for reasons including but not limited to being unlicensed, wrecked, abandoned, in a state of disrepair, or incapable of being moved under its own power."

A renter's broken-down car, then, can turn into the owner's code problem. If the car was left behind and is not in your name, read car not in your name before doing anything with it.

Who tows, and where the car goes

Three city departments can order a tow under Section 114-485.11: police, public works and community development. Each may remove vehicles "stopped or parked in violation of this chapter or other city ordinances."

Impounded cars are stored "in a location designated by the city," and private garages chosen by bid can do the towing and storage. "At least once each year the city council shall take bids from privately owned garages" for towing and storage fees. The chief of police directs "the private garage designated by the city and located nearest to the vehicle" to tow it. That garage "is authorized to retain the vehicle until the fees for towing and storage on the basis of the bid shall be paid."

Two smaller rules catch stalled cars. A car left in a park, cemetery or recreation facility after hours is treated as illegally parked. At the marina, non-tenant vehicles get 12 hours, and ticketed ones still there after 48 hours "will be towed at the owner's expense."

If you do not reclaim it

Polk and Warren County owners then fall under Iowa Code 321.89. Ten days unclaimed after a police impound makes the car abandoned. After the Des Moines notice is sent, you have ten more days to pay storage, preservation and towing and reclaim the car. Doing nothing is read as agreeing to an auction or a demolisher. Under 321.90, a car left at a commercial garage past its agreed stay can be called abandoned ten days after a certified letter.

Polk or Warren County: the title side

Des Moines spans Polk and Warren counties, and Iowa titles, plates and junking certificates come from the county treasurer. Use the treasurer for whichever county holds your address.

On the title's reverse, sign for the seller, then write the buyer's name and street address and the sale date. Pass along the county and expiration date of the last registration. A title with "and" between names needs every owner's signature; one with "or" needs only one.

Unbolt the plates and keep them. Replacement titles cost $35.00 after a mandatory 5-day wait. If your title is lost or faulty, you can ask the police instead for the go-ahead to sell the car to a demolisher.

Around the metro

Altoona lies 8.6 miles out as the crow flies. West Des Moines is 9.0, Urbandale 9.8, Johnston 10.1 and Ankeny 11.0. For statewide rules, see Iowa.

Getting an offer

Have a car in Des Moines to sell? Call (877) 421-6008 or use our form. We reach Des Moines south side driveways, rental back lots and downtown apartment curbs.