Kenner's 15-day tag and selling a dead car whole

When a car becomes "abandoned" in Kenner

The code's abandoned motor vehicle is a "junked or nuisance motor vehicle or parts thereof that is mechanically inoperable and/or is left on private property for more than fifteen (15) consecutive days." A junked car is one that meets any of these:

• it is "partially dismantled or wrecked"
• it "cannot be self-propelled or moved in the manner in which it was originally intended to move"
• it "is more than five (5) years old and appears to be worth less than two hundred fifty dollars"
• it is missing one or more parts required by law

That dollar figure is a test the code applies, not what any car is worth to a buyer. A nuisance vehicle also includes one with weeds over eight inches tall around it, or one left jacked up or blocked so it could roll or fall.

Fifteen days after the tag

Once code enforcement tags the car, Section 7-171.7 gives the owner fifteen days to deal with it. You can remove it, or start repairs that are finished within fifteen days to make it run. The tag is "a continuing notice regarding the violation." It stays live even if the car is moved to a different spot.

If you do not act, or do not ask for a hearing or an extension in time, the owner "may be subject to the issuance of a misdemeanor summons." Under Section 7-171.8, a magistrate judge can order the car removed and assess the administrative and removal costs. A conviction can bring "a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars," jail of up to sixty days, or both, and up to 32 hours of community service.

Cars left on the street

Section 15-51 covers the public way. The police do not impound a car for abandonment until at least ten days after the sticker goes on, and only after a hearing or a missed one. If a car is impounded and not reclaimed within 24 hours, the department sends a certified letter to the last owner of record.

A conviction under the Kenner code means paying any fine, plus "a towing fee of thirty-five dollars" and "a storage fee of five dollars" for each day or part of one. After six months unclaimed, a certified letter warns of a sale to the highest bidder. After another ten days with no owner showing up, Kenner has the car appraised and prints the sale notice twice in its official journal. See towed or impounded.

Title and plates for a Kenner seller

Jefferson Parish government plays no part in titles. Louisiana's OMV issues every one; you can go through an OMV office, a private tag agent, or the mail. Start with the OMV.

A notary witnesses the seller's signature when the title is assigned. List the price on that assignment, or the buyer will need a notarized bill of sale as well. Unbolt the plate, since it belongs to you. The OMV will cancel it over the web, by mail or in person, or let you move it to another vehicle for $3.00. Do that ahead of any insurance cancellation, and send the OMV its transfer notice. A scrap sale can skip the title entirely if you sign a dated ownership affidavit.

Nearby

New Orleans is 19.4 miles from Kenner as the crow flies, Slidell 34.1 and Hammond 36.3. State rules are on the Louisiana page.

Getting an offer

Phone (877) 421-6008 or write in through the form. For a Kenner car, just send the offer form or give us a call. Pickup can come to the tagged car where it is, a body shop, or a lot near Rivertown.