Covington's nuisance-vehicle rule, and selling a dead car whole

Reading chapter 8.10

The purpose clause talks about keeping "the character and safety of the city's neighborhoods" by clearing nuisance vehicles off private property, using removal powers the state grants.

The core rule: "all nuisance vehicles placed or situated upon private property within Covington City limits are public nuisances to be abated." Exemptions and penalties sit in other parts of the city code. Section 8.10.020 also lists conditions a vehicle has to meet first, so read it against your own car.

Three procedural lines worth knowing:

• Findings go on paper. The certification "shall record the make of the vehicle, the vehicle identification number, and the license plate number of the vehicle, if available."
• The city may skip notifying the last owner on record when the VIN can't be read or "if the property owner has prevented access to the vehicle."
• When the city does the abating itself, the vehicle "shall be removed by a licensed tow truck operator or hulk hauler."

The chapter exempts a car kept lawfully as part of a licensed dismantler's or dealer's business is exempt when it is fenced the way state law spells out. We saw no day count in these lines, so if a notice shows up, ask Covington how long you have, and read a notice to remove a car.

The hulk hauler angle

Hulk haulers appear in Covington's code as the people who remove cars. State rules also let a licensed one "acquire cars for resale to a wrecker or scrap processor." WAC 308-65-080 accepts a properly signed-off title for that, or the owner of record's lost-or-stolen title affidavit paired with a release of interest.

Out at the curb, state law takes over. A Covington car on a public street with tabs lapsed beyond 45 days is open to impound.

From Covington to a title counter

Seattle's quick title office at 201 South Jackson Street, Suite 206, phone (206) 477-4000, is one we checked. It lies about 19 miles northwest of Covington's center, as the crow flies. Subagent and county auditor offices handle titles as well, and one of those may be easier to reach.

The seller releases interest by signing the marked section of the title, passes it to the buyer, and adds an odometer disclosure where one is needed. If the Covington title leaves out the price and date, both seller and buyer sign a bill of sale. The notarized signature is the buyer's, on their title application.

Plates and the DOL report

In Washington the seller unscrews the plates, and the buyer may not use them. A Covington seller has 5 days to send DOL form 420-062, called the Vehicle Report of Sale. That way tow bills and the buyer's later actions are not pinned on you. A sale to a wrecking yard still needs one.

Getting an offer

For a Covington offer, use our form or call (877) 421-6008. We haul it from a Covington cul-de-sac or a shop in Kent or Maple Valley. Statewide details are on the Washington page.