Selling a junk or dead car in Inver Grove Heights

Section 5-9-4 in plain words

The core sentence is blunt: responsible parties "shall not keep a junk vehicle on the property outside of a building," nor let one be "stored, located or placed" there. The exceptions for cars, small trucks, campers and boats apply only to things "in operable condition." A seized engine is not that.

When the city spots a violation, its notice gives seven days from its own date. After that, Inver Grove Heights may fix the problem, bill the owners and specially assess the cost against the property under Minnesota Statutes section 429.101.

What the city counts as junk

Section 5-9-2 lists any vehicle "in an inoperable condition," "partially dismantled," used for parts, or "kept for scrapping, dismantling, or salvage of any kind." An enclosed garage or storage building is the one way out. "Inoperable" stretches further than people expect. It includes a car that:

• lacks a part it needs to run, or has one that is broken,
• sits "on blocks, jacks, or other supports," or
• is "not properly licensed for operation within the state of Minnesota."

The code also says "a junk vehicle is also an abandoned vehicle." A half-finished project on jack stands with lapsed tabs ticks two boxes at once.

Lots, streets and impounds

In the park-and-ride lots the city allows as interim uses, Section 10-14-2 bars storing inoperable vehicles in the parking spaces. Section 6-3-11 allows the police chief or a chief's designee to tow a car on city streets that violates listed parking rules or is "stalled thereon." Getting it out of impound runs under state Chapter 168B. Section 168B.07 lets Inver Grove Heights owners and lienholders reclaim it by paying towing and storage within 15 or 45 days of notice, based on the vehicle type.

Title offices we looked up

The number 612-348-8240 reaches Hennepin County's service center at 300 South 6th St., Suite A-025, in Minneapolis. Measured directly from central Inver Grove Heights, it's about 14 miles to the northwest. Rochester's Olmsted County office at 151 4th Street S.E. (507-923-2020) is roughly 63 miles southeast. A deputy registrar near you can also take the paperwork.

Signing the title over

Do the assignment on the title as you hand the car over: price, date, the damage disclosure and, on a 2011 or newer car, the odometer. DVS lists no notary for the seller. Plates and the registration tax already paid pass to the buyer with the car.

In Inver Grove Heights, the seller mails the Notice of Sale or reports the sale online within ten days. The buyer then owes DVS a title application within 20 calendar days of the sale. If it is late, a $2 penalty applies.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or start online. Fill out the form for your Inver Grove Heights car. Garage, gravel pad or shop lot, we can load it. If you are weighing stripping it first, read part it out or sell it whole. Nearby South St. Paul and Rosemount have their own pages, and Minnesota covers the state.