Junk and dead cars in Raytown

When Raytown calls a car inoperable

The definition is short. An inoperable vehicle is one that "does not possess an engine, has one or more flat or missing tires, or is otherwise incapable of being operated for lack of a major component of the vehicle." One flat tire is enough.

An unlicensed vehicle is one that does not show "a valid license and current inspection sticker," where the state requires them. The code gives you a defense: proof that on the date in question the car had a valid license and inspection sticker, or did not need its own license.

Rules for a house lot

Section 28-449 sets three limits for residential property:

• A dismantled, inoperable or junked car may stay only inside an enclosed building, or somewhere "which cannot be viewed from a ground location off the premises," and only if it does not create "a harborage for mice, rats, or snakes."
• One such car may be repaired, stripped or stored in the open if the work is "completed within seven days" and the car is titled to someone who owns, rents or lives at the property.
• An unlicensed car follows the same out-of-sight rule, and every vehicle must park on the part of the lot "constructed and surfaced for parking and driveway purposes."

Parts count too. Motor vehicle parts and machine parts left outdoors where they can be seen from off the property break the rule after 48 hours. If you have already pulled parts off, see missing parts.

Two hours on 53rd and 55th

When the mayor declares a parking emergency, Section 42-305 says cars on the signed snow routes "must be removed within two hours after declaration of an emergency." The routes include 53rd Street from Woodson Road to Raytown Road, and 55th Street from the west city limit to Raytown Road. A stalled or parked car in the way brings "a fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $500.00," and it can be towed as an abandoned vehicle.

A dead pickup has its own limit. Section 42-378 keeps trucks over one ton, trailers and similar vehicles from parking more than two hours a day on a residential street.

Once a car is towed as abandoned, state law takes over. The registered owner and lienholder are notified inside five working days. After notice, the city keeps the car 30 days. Raytown holds a car only 10 days when it is past six years of age, over 50% damaged and under $200 in value. From there, a licensed salvage or scrap business takes the Raytown car.

Paperwork for a Jackson County car

Selling in Raytown means no emissions test. Raytown sellers don't need one. Missouri only requires it in St. Louis City and in St. Charles, Jefferson and St. Louis counties. No notary is needed on the title. Write down the miles and sale date. Skip the correction fluid. Pull the plates before the buyer drives or tows it away, then tell the Department of Revenue inside 30 days.

Lost the title? A duplicate costs $8.50 plus a $9 processing fee at any Missouri license office. Older wrecks have a second option. Once a Raytown car hits ten model years and doesn't run, a scrap metal operator can buy it without a title, after an online lien search and a copy of the seller's state ID. Junk car with no title explains both.

Getting an offer

Raytown owners can call (877) 421-6008 or fill in our form. We pick up from a Raytown driveway or a lot off Raytown Road. Lee's Summit and Grandview are each under 9 miles away, and Missouri has the statewide rules.