Selling a dead or junk car in Jackson

Seven days, and who is exempt

The rule does not apply to cars "contained within an enclosed building," or to cars on the premises of a licensed new or used car dealer, gas station, repair garage or junkyard. A tarp on a car parked in a Jackson side yard doesn't meet that rule.

The ten-day repair permit

If you are fixing the car, or about to have it fixed, Section 17-138 lets you ask the chief building inspector for a permit for "an additional ten (10) days beyond the seven (7) days." That is 17 days in all. The permit is for repairs, so it does not fit a car you plan to sell.

The zoning code's off-street parking standards add a time limit. Section 28-100 says "Procedures exceeding forty-eight (48) hours in duration or which require the vehicle to be immobile or inoperable in excess of forty-eight (48) hours must be carried out within an enclosed building."

Blight, notices and impound

Jackson lists "inoperative vehicles" as blight in Section 2.5-2, next to garbage, junk and noxious weeds. When a police officer or the chief building official issues a notice of violation, Section 12-6.2 lets them impound the vehicle to a place the chief of police picks. That tow follows the Michigan Vehicle Code's abandoned-vehicle procedure under MCL 257.252a, including its fees and the steps to redeem the car.

City parking lots

Section 25-56 covers the city's parking system: a car "parked without authority for forty-eight (48) consecutive hours in any parking lot of the system shall be deemed abandoned." It may be towed and held at the lot until the parking, storage and towing charges are paid.

Snow emergency alerts

Jackson's city manager, or someone the manager names, may call a snow emergency alert when snow has piled up, or may pile up, deep enough to need extra plowing. Section 9-29 has the alert announced on radio and TV stations that cover the city, and in a newspaper "if feasible."

After that first notice, Section 9-30 sets two deadlines:

• "Within six (6) hours" on state trunk lines and streets the city plan calls major streets
• "Within twenty-four (24) hours" on local streets and alleys

A car still parked after that can be towed and impounded, and you pay towing, impounding and storage costs, plus any fines, before it comes back. Jackson's six-hour clock is hardest on a car that cannot be started.

Michigan title brands

A damaged car's title brand depends on repair cost against value. For late model cars, meaning those under 8,000 pounds made within the last six model years, a repair bill from 75% to just under 91% of pre-damage cash value brings a salvage title, and at 91% or higher it is scrap. Distressed and branded titles are gray and yellow. Salvage cars can be rebuilt for road use; scrap cars can't. Flood-damaged cars must get a title with the Flood brand. In Jackson, an owner can choose a salvage or scrap title whenever it suits them, however old or wrecked the car is. Flood damage and salvage title go further.

Signing it over

The buyer receives the original title from you, odometer statement and seller's section completed, and every owner on it signs. Michigan's SOS seller list has no notary step. Until the buyer files a transfer, the state's title record still names you, so SOS prefers that you visit a branch together. If not, a Jackson seller keeps a front-and-back copy of the title they signed, for no less than 18 months. Plates go home with you.

Nearby

Adrian is 30.1 miles away in a straight line, Lansing 33.5 and Ann Arbor 34.5. Statewide rules are on the Michigan page.

Getting an offer

Use the form or call (877) 421-6008. Helpful details: model year, maker, model, odometer reading, whether it runs and title status. A Jackson pickup can be from a backyard, a side street or the garage holding it.