Selling a dead or junk car in Covington

Two codes, one 72-hour clock

Covington's property rules come from two sections:

• Section 92.13 says no car "which is abandoned, non- functional, in a state of disrepair or lacking a valid license shall be stored in excess of 72 hours in any residential zone, unless it is in a completely enclosed building."
• Section 92.12 makes junked or wrecked vehicles a civil offense anywhere in the city outside a licensed salvage yard. It also says "no inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicle shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises." That rule has no clock at all.

Section 92.03 defines an inoperable car as one that lacks the license state law requires, is wrecked or taken apart, or "mechanically inoperable or legally inoperable."

Collectors get one exception. Parts cars may stay on private land if they are kept "out of ordinary public view by means of suitable fencing, trees, shrubbery or other means." A licensed automotive recycling dealer is also exempt.

Notice: before acting on 92.12, the city sends the property owner "five days' written notice." When nothing gets done, the city can take the car away on its own.

Streets, shoulders and snow

The 72-hour street limit covers streets with no stricter posted rule. A car stopped on a shoulder or in the right-of-way gets less time: "In no event shall a vehicle remain in the right-of-way or shoulder of a roadway for more than 24 hours."

When the mayor declares a snow emergency, it is announced through local radio, TV and newspapers. Leaving a car on a listed snow route then breaks Section 74.031, and so does leaving one anywhere it gets in the way of the plows.

Impound and escheat

Section 74.086 lets the city or the Parking Authority impound or boot cars parked against the rules. That includes a car with two or more unpaid parking tickets. Section 74.090 sets out what happens next. If the car is unclaimed for ten business days, the city mails a certified notice to the owner and any lienholder. They then have ten days to claim it or ask for a hearing. If nobody acts within 45 days of the notice, the car belongs to the city. A car "not suitable for use" may be "sold for its scrap or junk value." See towed or impounded.

Kenton County paperwork

Title work goes through the Kenton County Clerk. Have your signature on the title notarized, and do not use white-out. Complete TC 96-182 and put the mileage on the odometer statement. Keep your plate: Kentucky moved it to the seller in January 2024, and putting it on another car costs $11 once. Give the buyer 15 calendar days; after that, a notarized TC 96-3 lodged with the clerk blocks registration on the car. The Kenton clerk's FAQ lists a $15 sheriff VIN inspection for cars brought in from out of state. That matters if your buyer is bringing the car into Kentucky from Ohio, not if you are selling it.

Nearby: Erlanger is 4.3 miles away as the crow flies, Independence 5.6 and Florence 7.5. For statewide rules, see Kentucky.

Getting an offer

For a junk car in Covington, ring (877) 421-6008 or fill in our offer form. In Covington we can load it from an alley back yard, a garage or the curb before the 72 hours end.