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RESEARCH TOOLS › MRSC Index › Public Safety - Junk vehicles, public nuisance vehicles

MRSC Index A topical index to MRSC's information resources.

Public Safety: PS 9.1087 - Junk vehicles, public nuisance vehicles

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  • No paper documents related to this topic were found.

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Expand Section Featured Inquiries (5 Results)

  1. How do cities and counties deal with junk vehicles which do not meet the strict definition established by RCW 46.55.010?
    The legislature amended  the definition of "junk vehicle" in the statute. It is now irrelevant whether the vehicle is currently registered and licensed. The vehicle only has to meet three of the four remaining criteria in the statute. See Chapter 176, Laws of 1994. Each jurisdiction wishing to take advantage of this new definition will need to pass an ordinance to bring its  regulations into compliance with the amended statute.

  2. How may junk vehicles be removed from private property?
    RCW 46.55.240 deals with situations in which the city, town or county wants to have junk vehicles removed as a public nuisance from private property within its jurisdiction. This statute provides specific authority for a city, town or county to adopt an ordinance establishing procedures for the abatement and removal as a public nuisance of junk motor vehicles or parts from private property.

    The statute establishes a procedure for notice to property owners and an opportunity for a hearing to determine responsibility for removal of a junk vehicle. After notice has been given and after a hearing, if requested, has been held, the jurisdiction may remove and dispose of the 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.

    RCW 46.55.240(3(c) exempts from local nuisance ordinances junk vehicles that are completely enclosed in a building and which are not visible from the street and junk vehicles that are stored in a lawful manner on the premises of a licensed dismantler or vehicle dealer.

  3. How may junk vehicles be removed from public property?
    RCW 46.55.230 sets forth the procedures for property owners (either public or private) to remove junk vehicles from their property. These are the procedures that counties, cities or towns would use to provide for the removal of junk vehicles from public property, or which private property owners would use to have an unauthorized junk vehicle removed from their property. The statute basically provides that a notice be sent to the registered owner of a junk vehicle, after which, if the vehicle remains unclaimed for more than 15 days, it may be disposed of or sold. The local government may also recover from the registered owner any costs incurred in the removal of a junk vehicle.

  4. How do Washington cities and counties regulate junk vehicles on public and private property?
    Junk vehicles on public or private property are generally regulated as a public nuisance. There are two basic enforcement situations which may confront local officials: (1) where the city or county, as property owner, wishes to remove a junk vehicle from public property; and (2) where the city or county provides for the removal of junk vehicles that are located on private property.  See MRSC Web page on Junk Vehicles

  5. What does the term "junk vehicle" mean under state law?
    The term "junk vehicle" is defined in RCW 46.55.010(4) to mean a vehicle meeting at least three of the following 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.


Expand Section Subject Pages (4 Results)

  1. Automobile Nuisances
    This page addresses three issues: automobile repair in streets and yards where it becomes an annoyance to neighbors; the parking of vehicles in front yards other then driveways; and the accumulation of inoperable vehicles on private property which are not screened from public view or are on public property.
  2. Discussion of Authority to Abate and Remove Vehicles
    Discussion of Authority to Abate and Remove Vehicles
  3. Junk Vehicles
    Provides sample junk vehicle nuisance ordinances which prohibit the storage of junk vehicles in open areas of private property.
  4. Property Maintenance and Clean-Up Programs
    Provides information and sample ordinance provisions regarding Property Maintenance and Clean-Up Programs