Junk Vehicles
Contents
- Introduction
- Statutes and Regulations
- Discussion of Authority to Abate and Remove Vehicles
- Ordinance Provisions and Informational Brochures
Introduction
The presence of an excessive number of junk vehicles can threaten the character and safety of neighborhoods. They may cause deterioration of neighborhoods partly due to visual blight which affects property values. Junked vehicles can create attractive nuisances for children, and provide harborages for rodents, insects and other pests. Most municipalities have approached this problem through the adoption of junk vehicle nuisance ordinances which prohibit the storage of junk vehicles in open areas of private property.
Statutes and Regulations
- Chapter 46.55 RCW Towing and Impoundment
- Chapter 308-61 WAC Unauthorized and Abandoned Vehicles
Discussion of Authority to Abate and Remove Vehicles
RCW 46.55.240 grants specific authority for cities, towns, and counties to adopt an ordinance establishing procedures for the abatement and removal, as public nuisances, of junk vehicles or vehicle parts from private property. Such ordinances must, however, contain the applicable provisions of Chapter 46.55 RCW, including certain notice and hearing requirements.
"Junk vehicle" is defined in RCW 46.55.010(5) as meeting at least three of the following four requirements: (a) Is three years old or older; (b) Is extensively damaged, such damage including but not limited to any of the following: A broken window or windshield or missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission; (c) Is apparently inoperable; (d) Has an approximate fair market value equal only to the approximate value of the scrap in it.
After notice has been given and a hearing, if requested, has been held, the municipality may remove and dispose of a junk vehicle. Costs of the removal may be assessed against the last registered owner of the vehicle, or the costs may be assessed against the owner of the property on which the vehicle is being stored.
The state law, RCW 46.55.240(3)(c), does contain an exemption for vehicles that are "completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not visible from the street or other public or private property" or vehicles that are "stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler or licensed vehicle dealer."
Ordinance Provisions and Informational Brochures
- Algona Municipal Code Ch. 10.48 - Junk Vehicles
- Bothell Municipal Code Ch. 8.22 - Unauthorized Vehicles and Junk Vehicles
- Brewster Municipal Code Ch. 10.16 - Junk Vehicles
- Clark County Code, Section 9.24.010 (2)(d) - Nuisances Enumerated
- Cowlitz County "Hulk Permit" Junk Vehicle Verification, Notification and Affidavit - Web Page
- Edmonds Junk Vehicles (
) - Brochure
- Everett Municipal Code Ch. 8.22 - Junk and Inoperable Motor Vehicle Abatement
- Friday Harbor Municipal Code Ch. 10.08 () - Junk Vehicles
- King County Code Ch. 23.10 ()- Abandoned, Wrecked, Dismantled or Inoperative Vehicles
- Lynnwood Permitted Residential Parking, Junk Vehicles, Recreational Vehicles, and Boats () - Brochure
- Mountlake Terrace Ordinance Municipal Code Section 8.15.050 - Recreational, utility and motor vehicles
- Mount Vernon - Junk Vehicles - Web Page
- Mukilteo Municipal Code Ch. 9.47 - Outdoor Storage of Junk and Nuisance Vehicles
- Pierce County Code Ch. 8.10 () - Public Nuisance Vehicles –Prohibited Activities–Penalties–Removal (Ordinance No. 2003-32S2), passed 6/03)
- Public Nuisance (Junk) Vehicles - Web Page
- San Juan County Code Ch. 10.20
- Sumner Municipal Code Section 18.16.030 (26) - Public Nuisances Declared - Re unscreened areas
- Tacoma Municipal Code Ch. 8.23 () - Junk Vehicles
- Thurston County Junk Vehicle Website
- Union Gap Municipal Code Ch. 9.28 - Abandoned and Junk Vehicles
- Wilbur Municipal Code Ch. 8.16 - Junk Vehicle Abatement - Prohibiting the Storage of Junk Vehicles on Public or Private Property
- Woodinville Junk Vehicle FAQ () - Brochure
Related MRSC Resources