Selling a junk or dead car in Pascagoula

72 hours on land

Section 82-451 says no one may "park, store, leave, or permit the parking, storing, or leaving of any abandoned motor vehicle, whether attended or not, upon any public or private property within the city for a period of time in excess of 72 hours." The words "whether attended or not" matter: living in the house next to the car does not change anything.

The section exempts a car "enclosed within a building on private property," vehicles kept by a properly zoned business with a city license, and operable cars built for drag strips or raceways.

Section 70-16 adds a general rule. Pascagoula bars keeping certain items "outside of a building upon a lot or parcel of land owned or occupied by him," or on someone else's land without their OK, unless the spot is a lawful junkyard or salvage yard. That section's title names "derelict, unsightly or inoperable vehicles."

The 30-day water notice

When the city manager believes a junk vehicle is in a public waterway, Section 70-17 calls for written notice describing the problem. It must say that "if the nuisance is not abated within 30 days of the date of the notice," the city manager will file charges in municipal court, ask the council to seek an injunction, or both. A city resident can be served in person or at home through a family member 16 or older.

Towing and getting it back

Section 82-35 lets police have a towing company remove a vehicle from a street "when a vehicle is inoperable, parked unlawfully, or is parked without having a current license tag." It also covers emergencies: "fire, flood, storm, or other emergency circumstances."

Under Section 82-461, a seized car can be reclaimed at any point before its sale or destruction, "upon proof of ownership and payment to the city clerk" for the removal cost. City-owned lots have their own limit under Section 82-287: no more than "18 consecutive hours" in one space, or the car "may be towed away at the owner's expense."

Title and salvage questions

Lost the title? The Department of Revenue says a missing title must be replaced before a sale can go through. Ask for a replacement on Form 78-006 ($9.00) from the DOR's Motor Vehicle Services, which handles it by mail. See selling with no title.

On the Coast, people often worry about salvage brands. Under the state rule, a salvage vehicle is one an insurer takes over by paying a total-loss claim, including flood, fire and hail. Age and value can rule it out: at 10 years or older and a value of $1,500 or less, a vehicle falls outside the salvage definition. Those are legal tests, not a price. Any title branded salvage needs an inspection, per the Highway Patrol. See flood damage and salvage title.

When you sell, take the plate off and turn it in at the Jackson County Tax Collector. The Mississippi page has the rest.

Nearby towns

As the crow flies, Biloxi is 23.1 miles from Pascagoula, Gulfport 30.8 and Hattiesburg 79.5.

Getting an offer

In Pascagoula, phone (877) 421-6008 or send the form, even if the title needs replacing. Our driver comes to the car: at home, at a mechanic's, or at the roadside spot where it quit.