Selling a junk or dead car in Gettysburg

The borough's notice: 10 days, then 30

Section 10-111 covers motor vehicle nuisances, which the borough defines in Section 10-112. When a car breaks the storage rules, or threatens "the health, safety or welfare of the public," the borough serves written notice. It is sent registered or certified mail, or stuck on the vehicle when no owner can be located.

The notice sets two deadlines:

• Begin removing or fixing the problem "within 10 days of mailing or posting of said notice."
• Comply fully "within 30 days."

Miss them and the borough "shall have the authority to take measures to abate the condition and collect the cost of such abatement, together with a penalty of 10% of such cost." Notice to remove a car explains how these letters work.

One per owner, one per property

Where the code does allow a nuisance vehicle to be stored, the limit is "one motor vehicle per registered owner or lessee and/or one motor vehicle per property in the Borough." Licensed towing and storage businesses are exempt. If you have more than one to clear, see several junk cars.

Words the zoning code defines

The zoning chapter, Section 27-502, uses the state's terms. A car is abandoned when it "is physically inoperable and is left unattended on a street or other public property for more than 48 hours." A nonrepairable vehicle "has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap only." The chapter's definition of junk covers "parts for motor vehicles." Licensed junk premises must drain "all gasoline and oil" from any car they take in.

Inspection in Adams County

Adams County is not one of Pennsylvania's 25 emissions counties. Cars here get the yearly safety inspection, and light vehicles also get a visual anti-tampering check. If the safety inspection is what sank the car, its replacement gets ten days on the road after purchase before a current certificate is required.

Title and plates

Adams County has no title office; Pennsylvania titles are a state matter, transferred through notaries, tag services and dealers acting as PennDOT agents. Before the agent, the seller signs, prints a name and enters the mileage, along with any co-owner. The buyer then has 20 days from the assignment to apply for a title. Salvage dealers and scrap metal processors can accept a title with no notary involved. Replacing a lost one costs $72.00 on Form MV-38O.

Pull the plate off before pickup; it stays yours. Return it to PennDOT by mail, or move it onto a different car for $11.00. PennDOT's guidance for sellers lists no release-of-liability form to file. The Pennsylvania page has more.

Nearby

In straight-line miles: Chambersburg 23.4, Carlisle 25.6, York 28.2, Harrisburg 35.9.

Getting an offer

Gettysburg owners can call (877) 421-6008 or reach us through the form. We offer free pickup anywhere in the US, so the tow can come to a house off Baltimore Street, a borough alley, or a farm outside town.