Bonney Lake junk car rules, and selling yours whole

What the chapter targets

Chapter 8.12 is titled "PUBLIC NUISANCE VEHICLES – PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES – PENALTIES – REMOVAL." Its stated aims include to "Declare that it is a public nuisance and unlawful to accumulate, dismantle, park, place, or store public nuisance vehicles." The definitions in Section 8.12.020 build up from there:

• Inoperable describes a vehicle that "does not appear to comply with requirements for vehicles used on public streets with regard to brakes, lights, tires, safety glass or other safety equipment."
• Junk describes a vehicle, or parts of one, "which meets three of the following criteria." The section then lists the criteria.
• Vehicle is defined broadly. It covers cars, trucks, campers and several kinds of trailer, and it "shall also include parts of vehicles." A pile of parts counts.

The two ways a car is exempt

1. It "is completely and permanently screened from the street or other public or private property." The screening and the land use must follow the city's own screening and zoning chapters, with "no harborage for rodents or other pests."
2. It's on fenced property belonging to a licensed wrecker, dismantler or dealer, or to a junk, salvage or wrecking yard.

A partial fence or a temporary tarp falls short of "completely and permanently."

If the car gets towed

Section 10.33.040 reads: "Not more than 24 hours after impoundment of any vehicle, the tow contractor shall mail a notice by first class mail to the last known legal and registered owners." That notice must spell out the right to redeem and the chance to contest the impound or the bill. Getting the car back in Bonney Lake costs the towing contractor's charges plus a city administrative fee. The legal owner can also redeem the car "before the start of an auction," the code says. An unclaimed Bonney Lake car goes to auction 15 days after Washington's notice of custody and sale was put in the mail. See towed or impounded.

Title office and paperwork

Bonney Lake's closest quick title office is in Tacoma at 2401 S 35th, Suite 200, roughly 14 miles to the west on a map. It's the only one we checked; Pierce County may have others.

The Vehicle Report of Sale is due 5 days after the sale. DOL credits it with keeping the seller clear of tow bills and of legal trouble, civil or criminal, that the next owner causes. Pulling the plates is your job under state law, and the plates never transfer to the buyer. On the title, sign the release block. No price and date on the title means the two of you also put your names on a bill of sale.

Nearby

Puyallup is 6.2 miles away, Auburn 7.6 and Federal Way 11.3. Maple Valley is 13.0 miles north. For statewide rules, see Washington.

Getting an offer

Got a car to sell in Bonney Lake? For Bonney Lake, call (877) 421-6008 or use the form. We collect from plateau side streets, cul-de-sacs and repair shops.