Selling a junk or dead car in Woodbury

Two clocks for a car that won't run

The zoning code has a longer limit. Section 24-252 says inoperative passenger vehicles and trucks "shall not be parked in residential districts for a period exceeding seven days," and defines inoperative as "incapable of movement under their own power." Both rules apply at once, so the 72-hour limit in Section 15-31 is the one that bites first.

Section 24-239 adds two conditions for any car kept outside on a single-family lot. The car must be on an approved parking surface, and "vehicles parked/stored outdoors shall have license plates visible at all times." A plateless car on the grass breaks both rules.

Streets and public places

Section 15-30 says "no person shall abandon any junk car, junk motor vehicle or any part thereof" on any public place in Woodbury. A car that runs fine still has a 72-hour street limit, outside the exceptions the section lists.

After an impound

Under Section 15-33, the towing company keeps the car until the impounding and storage fees are paid. It then gives you a written release listing the date and each charge. A car that is "not released within 30 days of mailed notice to the owner" can be sold, after reasonable published notice. The sale money pays the costs of handling, storing and selling the car first.

Title offices and Minnesota paperwork

We checked two title offices for Woodbury. In a straight line, Hennepin County's Minneapolis office is about 18 miles west of central Woodbury. Woodbury sellers can reach it at 612-348-8240. From Woodbury, head to the 300 South 6th Street building and go to Suite A-025. Rochester's office, about 65 miles south of Woodbury, is on 151 4th Street South East. Call 507-923-2020. Minnesota's nearly 200 deputy registrar offices handle transfers as well; drive.mn.gov lists them.

A scrap buyer in Minnesota needs more than a signed title. Section 168A.1501 lists what a Woodbury buyer collects. In Woodbury, bring your ID along with the title and any lien releases. An impound lot bill of sale can stand in for those. You also sign a statement "under penalty of perjury" that the car isn't stolen and has no lien. On the title, fill in price, date and disclosures; DVS's seller steps include no notary. Plates transfer with the car. A Woodbury seller must get the "Notice of Sale" in, online or by mail, no more than ten days after the sale.

Tabs that lapsed while it sat mean the Minnesota registration ended with the month shown on the plate. If that was under 10 months ago, DVS lets you renew online. On a single-family lot, Section 24-239 still wants the plates showing on a car stored outside until it leaves.

Getting an offer

Woodbury sellers can phone (877) 421-6008 or use the form. The offer form covers your Woodbury car's details. Our truck can come to a repair shop, a garage or a driveway pad. Oakdale and South St. Paul are 5.9 miles away, Cottage Grove 6.4 and St. Paul 9.3. See Minnesota for statewide rules.