Selling a dead or junk car in Leavenworth

The 48-hour rule, clause by clause

Section 10-466 rewrites part of the property maintenance code for Leavenworth. It makes it a violation to keep "a vehicle that is inoperative or unlicensed" on land in the city "or on the public street adjacent thereto." So the curb in front of the house is covered, not just the yard. It applies to owners, tenants and occupants.

Three points from the section:

• Parking an inoperable car for "48 consecutive hours or less" is allowed.
• A car in an inoperable condition may not be parked "upon a street, driveway, (except in an enclosed structure)."
• The notice must state the date and time it was issued. The car then has 48 hours to be running again, removed, or enclosed, or "a citation will be filed against the owner or person in possession in municipal court."

If an order to remove is ignored, the code official can authorize the city to remove the car under the nuisance chapter, the abandoned-vehicle article or state law. Section 28-29 then lets the city dispose of junk it hauls off.

What the code means by inoperable and unlicensed

The development regulations in 12.01 describe a vehicle "wrecked, partially dismantled and/or damaged" so that the equipment state law requires "is not present or is not in good condition." Unlicensed is narrower: a vehicle "not carrying the currently effective license or registered number plate." A running car with dead tags can still draw a notice.

Tows on city streets

For an abandoned car that is not in the way, Section 44-219 has the city put a sticker on the windshield or another prominent spot before towing it. After a tow, certified mail goes to a plated car's owner by the close of the third business day. The notice explains how to recover the car and how to ask for a hearing, and says you have 30 days to act. Section 44-220 lets towed cars be disposed of under Kansas law. In a fire, flood, windstorm or snowstorm, Section 44-99 lets city officers clear parked cars from streets and public lots.

Leavenworth County paperwork

Cars kept in the city are titled with the Leavenworth County treasurer. Nobody needs a notary on the seller's side. On the back of the title, put the price, the date of sale, the miles, the buyer's name, and your own printed name and signature. Leaving the buyer's name blank breaks state law. Photocopy both sides.

When a loan still shows on the title, the buyer needs a lien release. Kansas takes it in three ways: printed on the title, on a TR-150 signed in front of a notary, or as a letter from the lender. See lien still on the title.

The plates come off and stay yours. Ending your record takes one of two things: the optional Seller's Notification of Sale (form TR-216), or handing the plate back to the county treasurer.

Other towns with pages

As the crow flies, Kansas City lies 17.0 miles off, Shawnee 22.0 and Lawrence 31.0. For a notice already taped to the car, read notice to remove a car. Statewide rules are on the Kansas page.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or reach us online with the year, the model, the miles, if it can drive, and who has the title now. Mention a 48-hour notice if one is on the windshield. Pickup can happen at your house, on the street out front, or at a garage that has been holding it.