Selling a dead car in Cibolo

Cibolo borrows the state's test

Cibolo does not write out its own definition. Section 46-140 says "junked vehicle" has "the meaning prescribed in § 683.071 of the Texas Transportation Code, currently in effect or as hereafter amended." Under that state section, a junked vehicle is self-propelled and either wrecked, dismantled or discarded, or dead for longer than 72 hours at a stretch on public property, or 30 days at a stretch on private property.

The exceptions come from the state too, through Section 683.077: a car completely enclosed in a building, stock kept at a dealer or junkyard, or a collector's antique stored in an orderly, screened way. The city code names no tarp or car-cover exception.

Section 46-141 brands a junked car, or even one of its parts, a public nuisance once it can be spotted from Cibolo's streets, other public places or rights-of-way. Section 46-147 makes keeping one an offense, and "no culpable mental state" has to be proved. The charge is a class C misdemeanor; the fine tops out at $200, and every day counts on its own. The city's code enforcement page puts it plainly: junked vehicles should not be parked anywhere in ordinary public view, and yards should not be used to store vehicles. Section 46-56 adds that dismantled vehicle parts piling up on a lot are a nuisance of their own.

From notice to tow truck

The chief of police or a designee mails the notice certified, five-day return requested. Each lienholder gets one, as does the registered owner and anyone who owns or lives at that Cibolo address. Section 46-142 orders the car removed "no later than the tenth day after receipt of the notice." If the letter comes back, "notice will be posted on the car," and nothing happens before the 11th day after the return or the posting, whichever comes later.

A hearing must be requested from the chief of police by the tenth day, in person or in writing. No bond is required. The assistant chief of police hears it no earlier than the 11th day after service and decides "by a preponderance of the evidence." The car "is presumed inoperable unless demonstrated otherwise by the owner." If it is found junked, you get ten more days to remove it before the chief does.

Skip the hearing and Section 46-143 treats the car as conclusively junked. From there it may be hauled off for scrap, handed to a demolisher, or taken to a government-run site, it "shall not be reconstructed or made operable after removal," and the chief must tell the Texas Department of Transportation within five days.

To report a car, use the Abandoned/Junk Vehicle category in the city's SeeClickFix tool, or call Code Enforcement at 210-658-9900 ext. 8121, 201 W Loop 539. Public-safety calls that are not emergencies go to the Schertz Dispatch Center at 210-619-1274.

Titles for a Cibolo sale

Cibolo straddles Bexar and Guadalupe counties. The Guadalupe County tax office, 307 W. Court, Ste 102, Seguin, (830) 379-2315, is about 15 miles east as the crow flies. Bexar County's office sits about 20 miles southwest, at 233 N Pecos La Trinidad, a San Antonio address, phone (210) 335-2251.

The buyer files the title there. On your end: sign the title, fill in the sale date and mileage, and sign Form 130-U showing the price. No notary. The transfer notice to TxDMV is due inside 30 days. No title? A used parts recycler can take a titleless car for parts or scrap once it reaches 13 years of age and has sat with no registration for seven years or longer. Otherwise see junk car with no title.

Asking for an offer

Fill in the offer form or call (877) 421-6008. Mention if it starts, if the wheels still roll, and where it is parked. Pickup is free in Schertz, Converse and the rest of Texas too.