Selling a junk or dead car in Alliance

How the junk-car section works

Alliance borrows its tests from Ohio's junk-car statute, ORC 4513.63. That statute describes a vehicle aged three years or more, heavily damaged, apparently unable to run and valued at no more than $1,500. The city rule applies even when the property owner agreed to the car being there.

The certified letter, sent with return receipt, starts a ten-day clock that runs from the day you receive it. By then the car "either shall be covered by being housed in a garage or other suitable structure or shall be removed from the property." Leaving it out longer is presumed willful, and each 30 days after that is another count. Repeat offenders climb a ladder that starts at a minor misdemeanor; the second offense is fourth degree and any later one third degree.

Any police officer or the Fire Prevention Officer may also have a junk car in violation towed to a pound. Release there depends on paying both the tow and the storage. The section ends by saying city zoning regulations take precedence in all cases.

Code enforcement by section

Alliance's Code Enforcement Administrator investigates complaints and also does routine, systematic ratings of properties across 31 defined sections of the city. A property in violation gets a notice that names the ordinance, sets a time frame for compliance and explains the right to appeal. Questions go to the contact person printed on the notice, or to (330) 829-2235.

Repair shops and the street

If the car died at a shop, the shop has limits of its own. Zoning section 1162.24 lets an inoperable vehicle stay outside no more than 30 days at a repair station and no more than 24 hours at a service center. Partly dismantled and damaged vehicles belong inside a completely enclosed building, and wrecked or damaged ones must be screened from public view and kept out of the front yard.

On public ground, section 741.11 bars anyone from wrecking, dismantling or storing for commercial purposes any motor vehicle or junk on sidewalks, streets or other public places. Section 303.08 adds two more tow grounds: a car left 48 hours running on a public road while the Police Chief remains uninformed, and a car on private land without the owner's consent beyond 48 hours. Redemption runs through the police offices, where you prove identity and ownership, settle the fines or bond, and then pay the pound operator.

Two levels of snow emergency

• Level one: two inches or more within 24 hours. No parking on streets marked as Emergency Snow Routes.
• Level two: four inches or more within 48 hours. No parking on any street in the city.

From one hour after the public announcement until the emergency is over, violators can be towed as well as fined. Drivers are expected to track the snowfall themselves.

Title offices in two counties

Alliance sits in both Stark and Mahoning counties, and any Ohio title office will do. Stark County's office at 513 E. Main St. is about 1.3 miles northeast of the middle of town as the crow flies, phone (330) 451-1457. Mahoning County's office at 606 E. Ohio Ave. in Sebring is about 5.8 miles east, phone (330) 938-9873. Stark's North Canton office is about 14.8 miles west.

Neither Stark nor Mahoning is among Ohio's seven E-Check counties. Ohio does require notarization when the seller signs the title. When the car is sold, you unbolt the plates and keep them. If the title went missing, a duplicate application on form BMV 3774 also needs your notarized signature; see junk car with no title.

Getting an offer

Ask online or call (877) 421-6008. Mention whether the car runs, whether it is at home or at a shop, and any damage; a wrecked car is fine. Alliance police take non-emergency calls at 330-821-9140. Pickup is free in Canton and Massillon as well.