Selling a junk or dead car in Bremerton

What Chapter 6.06 covers

The chapter's stated aim is to "preserve the character and safety of the City's neighborhoods" by clearing junk vehicles from private property. Section 6.06.030 then declares that every junk vehicle "certified as such by a law enforcement officer or code enforcement officer" under RCW 46.55.230 and found on private property is "a public nuisance subject to removal, impoundment and disposal." It adds a flat ban: "It is unlawful for any individual firm, entity or corporation to allow, cause to allow or place a junk vehicle on any premises."

Certifying a car uses the state test in RCW 46.55.010. Three of these must fit: it is three or more years old; it is badly damaged, say with smashed glass or a missing engine, transmission, wheels or tires; it does not look like it can run; and it is worth scrap or less.

There is one carve-out. A car kept lawfully on private property "in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler or licensed vehicle dealer" and fenced as state law requires is exempt. A dead sedan in a home driveway does not qualify.

What the notice tells you

Section 6.06.050 lists what goes into it:

• the car's plate number or VIN, its model year and make, plus "the factors which render the vehicle a public nuisance"
• the date, time and place of the Hearing Examiner hearing, at least 10 days out
• notice that the city can haul away, impound and get rid of the car, then bill "all costs and expenses" to the landowner or registered owner as the Hearing Examiner decides

After an order, the car can go to "a licensed motor vehicle wrecker or hulk hauler or scrap processor," with notice to the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Licensing.

When the car is not yours

Landlords and renters should read one clause twice. If the Hearing Examiner finds a car "was placed on the property without the landowner's consent" and the landowner has not since accepted it, the costs "shall not be assessed against the landowner." State law adds weight on whoever left it: leaving a junk car on someone's land is a gross misdemeanor, and the owner of record is billed double the cost of hauling it away (RCW 46.55.230). See car abandoned on your property, or notice to remove a car if the letter is already in hand.

Title paperwork in Kitsap County

The Department of Licensing sets Washington's rules, and county auditor offices and subagent vehicle licensing offices handle the titles. We did not check a specific Kitsap County office for this page, so look up current locations on DOL's site before you go. DOL's advice is to do the handoff, money and signatures, at a vehicle licensing office.

The seller's list in Washington

1. Have a valid title. A car cannot be sold without one. A lost title is replaced first for $39.50 and mailed in 4 to 8 weeks, or DOL may take one of its two affidavits in place of the title.
2. Release your interest by signing the title's release section, then pass the title to the buyer with an odometer statement where the law calls for one (RCW 46.12.650).
3. Fill out a bill of sale if the title does not show the price and date. Bill of sale covers what to put on it.
4. Pull the plates. Washington makes that the seller's job. They can move to your next vehicle of that type, or go back to the state.
5. Tell DOL about the sale within 5 days. You file the Vehicle Report of Sale even when a wrecking yard takes the car, and it keeps tow bills and the new owner's mistakes off your plate.

The buyer, not you, signs the title application before a notary or at a licensing office. Emission testing is gone too; the state stopped it on January 1, 2020.

Nearby towns

Bainbridge Island is 12.1 miles from Bremerton in a straight line. Seattle and Burien are each 17.9 miles. Statewide rules are on the Washington page.

Getting an offer

Send the car's details through the form or call (877) 421-6008: year, make, model, odometer miles, whether it will start, and what the title situation is. Pickup can happen at the Kitsap County address where it is parked, even with a hearing notice taped to the windshield.