Zachary's junk car code, and selling one whole

What makes a car "junk" in Zachary

Section 38-87 calls a car a junk motor vehicle if it "appears to be inoperable, is partially dismantled or wrecked outside of a private garage," or is stored or left outside one. To be declared junk, it "shall also meet at least two of the following criteria" set out in that section.

The same section describes a health or safety nuisance. It can be a car that harbors "mosquitoes or other harmful insects, snakes, rats, or other pests," one surrounded by weeds "over eight inches in height," or one that collects gasoline, oil or other flammable material.

A registered antique with antique plates is not junk if it is in original condition or "in the process of being restored to same."

From complaint to tow truck

Under Section 38-88, code enforcement looks at the car, gathers information and, where it can, talks with whoever owns the car or the property. If it believes there is a violation, it sends notice and a hearing date. After a finding, the hearing officer's order:

• says how to fix it, for example "by removal or concealment of the vehicle"
• sets a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars a day "until the violation is remedied"
• warns that, past "15 days of the hearing date," the city can come onto the property, haul the car away and bill the landowner

When the owner of an unoccupied property cannot be found, or mail comes back unclaimed, Section 38-91 has the city advertise "once a week for two successive weeks" before it takes the car.

Title and plate, Louisiana style

Zachary is in East Baton Rouge Parish, but parishes do not title cars. Title work goes through the state OMV instead, in person at an OMV or Public Tag Agent counter, or by post. Have your signature on the title assignment notarized, and either write the sale price on it or give the buyer a separate notarized bill of sale.

Keep the plate. The plate-transfer section of form DPSMV 1799 shifts it to another vehicle you own for a $3.00 fee; otherwise cancel it, before ending the insurance. Notify the OMV of the sale within fifteen days. East Baton Rouge Parish also keeps emissions testing after the state's inspection sticker ends in 2027. After you sell covers the last steps.

Nearby

Straight-line miles: Central 10.6, Baton Rouge 15.5, St. George 22.4 and Hammond 43.6. Statewide rules: Louisiana.

Getting an offer

Online or at (877) 421-6008, give us the car's details: its year and maker, the model, about how far it has gone, if a title is in hand, and if the engine turns over. Our truck comes to the car, on a home driveway or a back lot off the main road.