Selling a dead car in Gaithersburg

The residential rule, twice over

The same ban appears in two places in the city code. Section 17AA-3, the property maintenance code, applies it to property "zoned residential or other property containing a dwelling unit." Section 24-7.4, in the zoning chapter, repeats it for property "zoned residential." Both carve out the same single exception: a completely enclosed garage or building.

Nonresidential land is a little looser. There, "not more than one currently unregistered and/or uninspected motor vehicle or trailer" may be kept, unless another rule or an approved plan says otherwise.

Two more lines in 17AA-3 matter for a dying car:

• No vehicle may "be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled within the City."
• Major repairs, "including body work," must happen inside a completely enclosed garage or approved building.

The code also bars parking any vehicle on ground that is not stabilized with asphalt, concrete, gravel or similar. A car parked on the grass beside the house breaks that rule as well. If the repair bill is the real problem, see repairs cost more than it is worth.

Streets, lots and snow

Under Section 14-4, city police may haul off a car abandoned on a public road, alley or city lot against a parking rule, or for an unreasonable time where it blocks traffic or threatens safety.

Snow brings two sets of rules. During a declared snow emergency, Section 14-11 bars leaving any vehicle on a snow emergency route "or any cul-de-sac." During ordinary snow accumulation, Section 14-12 lets the city manager split the street by house number from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.: even sides close on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, odd sides on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. While those limits are in force, a car that can't be moved will be on a closed side three or four days a week.

Title and plates

Gaithersburg does not deal with titles; the Maryland MVA does. Before a sale, the title must show your name and carry no lien. lien still on the title shows how to clear one. On the back, fill in the mileage and sign. Montgomery County is a VEIP emissions area, but inspections are the buyer's job under the MVA's seller rules. The plates leave with you and go back to the MVA; the receipt it issues is worth keeping.

Nearby

Gaithersburg has 71,113 residents on about 10.3 square miles. Rockville is 5 miles away in a straight line, College Park 17.5, Laurel 18.3 and Frederick 23.0. See Maryland for statewide rules.

Getting an offer

Send the form or call (877) 421-6008. Gaithersburg sellers can begin with a few lines on our form. Pickup is free anywhere in the US. A townhouse lot, an apartment garage or a repair shop all work as the pickup spot.