What does Sulphur charge to remove a junk car?

Section 12-33 sets a towing, service or removal charge of no less than $500.00, due from the owner of the property the car was removed from or anyone claiming an interest in the car.

Where may a junk car legally sit in Sulphur?

Only in an enclosed building, an authorized storage place, or behind a non-transparent fence 6 to 8 feet high on all boundary lines that hides it from the street and other property. Otherwise Section 12-32 declares it a public nuisance.

Who owns a junk car after Sulphur tows it?

Section 12-34 says that 48 hours after removal, title to the junked vehicle passes to the city's contractor, which disposes of it.

Town guide · Louisiana

Selling a junk car in Sulphur

When Sulphur hauls away a junk car, it bills at least $500. Section 12-33 sets the towing, service or removal charge at "no less than five hundred dollars ($500.00)," and it falls on the owner of the property the car came from. If you would rather sell the car first, we buy whole non-running and junk cars. Sell the whole car as it sits; pickup is free anywhere in the US.

Updated October 11, 2026 · 10 sources

Photo: Ebenap · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Sulphur, the short version

Population: 20,492 (Census estimate, July 1, 2025)
Parish: Calcasieu
Junk-car rule: City Code 12-32
Time to comply with an order: 10 days
Windshield notice before removal: At least 24 hours
City removal charge: No less than $500, billed to the property owner
Scrap sale: Signed affidavit in place of a title

The nuisance rule, Section 12-32

Section 12-32 declares a junked car anywhere on private land in the city a "public nuisance," whether the lot is "occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved." Three places are exempt:

an enclosed building
an authorized storage place or depository
behind a "non-transparent" fence "not less than six (6) feet, nor more than eight (8) feet high" on all boundary lines, screening it from view of the street and neighboring land

Ten days, then a 24-hour warning

Under Section 12-33, an order from the city's ordinance enforcement officer gives the owner or occupant ten days to comply. Ignoring it is a misdemeanor and can bring a summons and a fine. Before a car is removed, a notice goes on the windshield "at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to its removal." It warns that unless the listed fixes are made "within ten (10) days," the car "shall be considered public property" and can be removed by the city or a tow operator working for it.

If the removal bill is not paid within ten days, the city's tax collector mails the property owner a written statement of the cost. Section 12-42 sets the same ten-day notice for junk cars on any private lot, served by the ward marshal and sent by registered mail.

Who ends up with the car

The city may contract with a tow service, scrap dealer, dismantler or depository under Section 12-34. "Forty-eight (48) hours after removal, title to any junked motor vehicle shall pass to the contractor." Money the city gets from selling removed vehicles goes into its general fund.

Scrap paperwork in Louisiana

Selling a car for scrap does not require a title in Louisiana. The owner gives the scrap processor or licensed dismantler a signed, dated affidavit of ownership. The buyer keeps it with the seller's ID and plate details, then reports the VIN to the OMV auto hulk database before crushing. After that entry, the VIN can never be titled or registered in any state. A dismantler that takes in a car notifies the OMV within ten days and surrenders the salvage title. With a regular title, a notary must witness you signing the assignment, and the plate stays with you, to be canceled before the insurance.

Nearby

Straight-line miles: Lake Charles 8.9, Lafayette 79.3, Alexandria 90.4 and New Iberia 93.1. Statewide rules: Louisiana.

Getting an offer

Sulphur sellers can call (877) 421-6008 or use the offer form. We pick up from behind a privacy fence, a carport, or the open lot it occupies now.

Questions people ask

What does Sulphur charge to remove a junk car?: Section 12-33 sets a towing, service or removal charge of no less than $500.00, due from the owner of the property the car was removed from or anyone claiming an interest in the car.
Where may a junk car legally sit in Sulphur?: Only in an enclosed building, an authorized storage place, or behind a non-transparent fence 6 to 8 feet high on all boundary lines that hides it from the street and other property. Otherwise Section 12-32 declares it a public nuisance.
Who owns a junk car after Sulphur tows it?: Section 12-34 says that 48 hours after removal, title to the junked vehicle passes to the city's contractor, which disposes of it.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

Sulphur Code 12-32, Junked motor vehicles declared as public nuisance library.municode.com
Sulphur Code 12-33, Notice to owner or occupant to abate public nuisance library.municode.com
Sulphur Code 12-34, Record of sales of abandoned, stripped or junked vehicles library.municode.com
Sulphur Code 12-42, Notice to owners; duties of city; charging of cost to owner library.municode.com
La. R.S. auto hulk affidavit in lieu of title legis.la.gov
Louisiana OMV: Salvage yard and auto hulk database expresslane.la.gov
La. R.S. dismantler notice to the OMV legis.la.gov
Louisiana OMV: Used vehicle title and registration expresslane.la.gov
Louisiana OMV: Cancel a plate expresslane.la.gov
U.S. Census Bureau: city population estimates, 2020-2025 www2.census.gov