Selling a junk car in Norristown

Four ways to be "abandoned"

The parking chapter's removal article, Section 305-53A, presumes a car abandoned in any of these cases:

• it is "physically inoperable and is left unattended on a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours"
• it has sat in a no-parking spot on public property in Norristown for more than 48 hours
• it sits unattended on public property past 48 hours lacking items the code requires
• it has been on private property for over 48 hours without the owner's consent

Each presumption can be rebutted "by a preponderance of the evidence." Construction and utility equipment parked out of traffic's way is not counted.

Chapter 301 adds its own ban. Under Section 301-3, no abandoned car "shall be parked on any street" in Norristown, or on private land unless whoever controls it agrees. Section 301-1 explains why: abandoned cars get in the way of street cleaning and repairs, block fire and emergency vehicles, and draw vandalism.

Alleys and municipal lots

Norristown treats alley parking as a hazard of its own, because fire trucks, snowplows and maintenance vehicles cannot get through. A car that dies in an alley is a problem on day one.

In a municipal lot, a car parked in violation can be towed and impounded "at the sole cost and expense of the owner." The code adds that paying towing and storage "shall not relieve the owner" of the fine. If you have a letter in hand, see notice to remove a car.

Emissions in Montgomery County

For emissions, PennDOT groups Norristown's county into its Philadelphia region, along with Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties. On top of that, Pennsylvania wants a yearly safety inspection for every car. Plenty of Norristown cars that fail one or both just stay parked; see failed emissions.

Title and plates

Pennsylvania has no county title office, so a Montgomery County sale is signed at a PennDOT-authorized agent: typically a tag service, a notary or a car dealer. In the agent's presence you put down your signature, your hand-printed name and the mileage, and each co-owner adds theirs. No notary is required if a scrap processor or salvage dealer is the one taking the title.

Pull the plate before the car goes. PennDOT takes it back through the Return Tag Unit; the other choice is an $11.00 transfer to a different vehicle.

Getting an offer

Use the site or call (877) 421-6008. Got a dead car in Norristown? Send the offer form and we will reply. Pickup is free anywhere in the US: a Norristown driveway, a side street or a garage near the courthouse. Phoenixville is 9.7 miles away as the crow flies; the Pennsylvania page covers the statewide rules.