Selling a dead or junk car in Princeton

What counts as a junked vehicle here

In Princeton, the article reaches every self-propelled vehicle missing an unexpired plate or a valid inspection certificate. Princeton adds one more test. Princeton means a car that's been thrown away, wrecked or partly or fully stripped. Princeton also counts a car that won't run if it stays on public property for 72 hours in a row, or on private property for 30 days in a row. "Inoperable" means not capable of being used or operated "due to legal or mechanical incapability."

Section 26-73 makes it a public nuisance when it is in view of a road or other public spot. A conviction is a misdemeanor; the fine is capped at $200, and the court orders the nuisance cleared.

Throwing a tarp, car blanket or similar cover over it is not screening. The exemptions are a car kept fully inside a building and hidden from view, and dealer, junkyard or collector vehicles that are orderly and screened.

The ten-day removal clock

Under Section 26-75:

• Notice comes in person, or by certified mail marked for a five-day return. Princeton sends the notice to the car's last registered owner and each recorded lienholder. The owner or occupant of the lot, or of land next to the right-of-way, gets one too. With no owner address on file, it can be placed on the car.
• The nuisance "must be abated and removed not later than the tenth day" after it was delivered or mailed. Ask for a hearing before that day.
• A letter returned "as refused or unclaimed" still counts: "the notice is considered as delivered." Mail returned undelivered for any other reason delays action to day 11 after the return, or later.
• The municipal court judge holds the hearing "not earlier than the 11th day after the date of service of notice." The owner has to prove the car works; the judge presumes it does not.

The chief of police or the code enforcement officer runs the process and may go onto private property to examine and remove the car. Moving it to another spot in Princeton after the case starts has no effect. The removal order forbids rebuilding the car or making it operable. Notice goes to the Department of Public Safety within five days, and the title is cancelled.

Loose parts are junk too

Princeton's junk rule defines junk to include "used vehicle components and parts not currently in use." A stack of doors, a spare engine or old wheels in the yard can be a nuisance on their own. The city gives a minimum of seven days' written notice. If the owner does not comply, the city may do the work, the cost becomes the owner's personal liability, and unpaid charges become a privileged lien on the property.

The street-parking article sets no hour limit for ordinary cars and bars boats, trailers, campers and RVs from public streets.

Code compliance sits with the Development department: 972-736-2416, option 4. Police non-emergency is 972-736-3901. The Police Department at 2000 E Princeton Drive is open Monday through Friday, 7 am to 5:30 pm, except certain holidays.

Collin County title steps

Call (972) 547-5014 for Collin County's tax office in McKinney, 2300 Bloomdale Rd, Ste 2302. As the crow flies it is about 8 miles northwest of Princeton.

Texas puts the buyer on a 30-day deadline to retitle the car. Miss it, and you, the seller, could still answer for the car's tickets, tolls, even crimes. The Vehicle Transfer Notification is the seller's protection: filed within 30 days, it keeps the buyer's later parking and toll violations from landing on you. It does not transfer ownership, so the buyer still files with the county. No notary is needed on the title, and the plates can come off with you. Car titled to a relative or an ex? Read car not in your name.

Getting an offer

Ask online or at (877) 421-6008 about selling your Princeton car. Pickup works at a house on a new street, a rural lot or a shop in town. Pages for Melissa, McKinney and Wylie are close by, and Texas has state rules.