Selling a junk car in Hammond

The rule: Sections 20-91 and 20-92

Section 20-91 finds the storage of "junked, wrecked or used motor vehicles" in the city to be unlawful and declares it "a public nuisance." The council spelled out its reasons: such storage creates "an unsightly condition, tending to reduce the value of private property; to invite plundering, to create fire hazards."

Section 20-92 defines those vehicles as "any inoperable automobile or motor vehicle on any portion of any private property or public property in the city." Any single condition below is enough:

• it is missing parts like the engine or wheels
• those parts are damaged or changed so the car cannot drive itself
• plates or registration are missing or out of date

The definition reaches past cars to vans, motorcycles, four-wheelers and trucks, and to self-propelled construction, yard and farm equipment.

Ten days from the notice

Section 20-94 lets Hammond put a notice on the car "in a prominent place," or mail it certified or registered to whoever the State Office of Motor Vehicles lists as owner. It says the vehicle "must be removed and if not removed within ten (10) days, may be towed away at the owner's expense." If mailed notice comes back unopened or undeliverable, the ten days run from its return. After that, the city can tow and store the car with its own crew, hire a licensed tow operator, or take other legal action.

Cars stuck in the street

A car "abandoned or is inoperative in the middle of a street, sidewalk, alley or way of the city" can be towed under Section 20-58 when it creates a traffic hazard. The code caps what the owner pays: twenty dollars for the tow, and storage of no more than "three dollars ($3.00) per day." If nobody claims the car "within thirty (30) days," it is treated as abandoned and handled under the city's abandoned-vehicle rules.

Two narrower rules sit nearby. A car impounded for a noise violation under Section 21-120.5 is held "no greater than seventy-two (72) hours." And Section 20-55.22 bars motor homes, house trailers and commercial vehicles of fifteen thousand pounds or more from residential streets for 72 hours or more.

Title and plates in Tangipahoa Parish

Titles are a state job in Louisiana, so Tangipahoa Parish plays no part. File with the Office of Motor Vehicles at one of its locations or a Public Tag Agent, or mail the packet in. The title assignment is signed before a notary, and the sale price goes on it or on a notarized bill of sale.

Louisiana law then gives the seller fifteen days to tell the commissioner in writing that the car changed hands; filing the Notice of Vehicle Transfer online covers it and marks your OMV record. The buyer has 40 days to file the Vehicle Application, DPSMV 1799, and a buyer from a private seller is protected from no-tag citations for 60 days with proof of application. The plate stays behind with you. Take it off, then cancel or transfer it, canceling before the insurance. See after you sell, and for a lapsed tag, tickets or registration hold.

Towns nearby

As the crow flies from Hammond: Central 34.7 miles, St. George 35.3, Kenner 36.3, Baton Rouge 40.4 and Slidell 42.8. Statewide rules: Louisiana.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or use the offer form for your Hammond car. We pick up from homes, downtown curbs and repair shops.