How Many Junk Cars Can You Have On Your Property

The hobby of vehicle restoration or customization can be common. Unfortunately, this often finds many donor vehicles used for spare parts. Because of this, you could end up seeing junk cars in front yard accumulate.

Questions can arise as neighbors complain of the eyesore, not just how many cars are allowed per household, but most for junk cars. How many junk vehicles can you have sitting on your property?

While you may think there is no harm in having vehicles with missing wheels and apparently inoperable sitting in your yard. There is a clear distinction between junk vehicles and how the local government looks at them. At the most basic of guidelines, you are only allowed to have one junk car on your property, and it has to be stored inside at all times to prevent it from becoming an eyesore to neighbors.

junk cars

In our guide, you can learn more about junk vehicles as there is more to it than this. By the end, you’ll have a much better understanding of what can be classed as junk vehicles and what you may park on your property, for your daily driver, your hobby, or for a business. (Learn How To Fix A Car Sun Visor)

What are Junk Cars?

Junk automobiles can be defined as vehicles that fit some of the following criteria: they must be at least five years old, irreparably broken, immobile, or only marketable as scrap.

Extensively damaged vehicles no longer worth spending money on repair or maintenance are referred to as junkers.

Here are the basics of a junk car:

  • Cars parked on the street or property for an extended period.
  • Vehicles are no longer road worthy.
  • The cost of repair is higher than vehicles value
  • Vehicles can’t be moved from one place to another
  • Nobody wants to buy it in the condition it is
  • An insurance company won’t repair the car
  • The car is empty of disassembled essentials such as the engine, transmission, and others.

junk car on property

How Many Junk Cars Are Allowed On Your Property?

Keeping a junk car on your property is dangerous as a rusting car has sharp edges that can cut and cause tetanus, and fluids in the old systems are dangerous to people and toxic to the environment.

This can be extremely dangerous for young children who are unsure of what to play with and what not to.

One junk car is permitted if necessary, and you are forced to park it on your property; however, it must be hidden from view inside an enclosed structure.

For everyone’s safety, all laws governing the parking of junk automobiles, storage, and disposal must be followed. (Read Removing Car Battery Corrosion Guide)

Why Do People Keep Junk Cars in Yard?

It isn’t easy to decide to sell a vehicle, regardless of the shape, especially if it has been useful to you and your family for an extended period.

Mostly, car owners keep their vehicles for a little while because they are not always ready to part with them.

Here are some reasons people hang onto what would otherwise be abandoned cars:

  • They enjoy the memories the car provides.
  • They want to fix it at some point.
  • They can get money for scrap or spares.
  • The car can be used for spares for another family car.
  • They can’t afford to pay for removal or towed.
  • The hobby is collecting or customizing old cars.

car garage

Can a House Have Too Many Cars?

There is no thing as too many cars if you have a big enough property and enough money; thus, you can have as many cars as you want. No city yet has any rules on the number of cars per property.

However, if your car occupies your neighbors property, there is a chance they would object.

Don’t get so many cars that won’t fit on your property. Even then, some neighbors may object if it causes them an inconvenience, and if any cars around your house are deemed junk, for safety, you could be asked to get rid of them or keep them in your garage.

People have reasons for having multiple cars, and there are no rules prohibiting it.

When Can A Junk Car Be Parked On Your Driveway?

Parking a junk car does not always mean it is an abandoned car. However, your car may rust and degrade beyond repair if you neglect it for an extended period and without maintenance.

Replace necessary fluids, inspect the car tires, change the oil, and other maintenance procedures regularly to prolong the life of your car.

Whatever its state, a junk car can still generate money through the sale of usable parts, renovation, and sale to auto repair shops.

Providing the owner has informed the city police department of their intention to actively repair the vehicle, and all repairs are finished within 30 days of the notification. Parking a junk car to be actively repaired in the driveway of your property is possible.

Reasons Not to Leave Junk Car on Your Property

Do you have an old junk car sitting on your property for ages? Even if you love vintage cars, not everyone has the same point of view.

Many car owners struggle to get rid of old cars, such as sentimental value, they want to give the old car to their children, or they have underestimated the market value, and no one wants to buy it.

However, here are some reasons not to have a junk car on your property. (Read Spilled Oil On Engine How To Clean Guide)

1. Lowers Property Value

A home owners junk vehicles can devalue their property. Your junk car can drive down the property value of your home and your neighborhood.

2. Old Vehicles Can Be An Eyesore

Often, an old car looks unsightly and is often seen as neglect because they get covered in weeds. Unless you use the junk car, it’s wise to start selling it before the city comes knocking.

3. Law of Torts

The “attractive nuisance doctrine” is the U.S. tort law. Owners can be liable to pay if an object on their land attracts and injures minors, even if they’re trespassing. The rule covers abandoned cars, swimming pools, and more.

4. Attracting Unwanted Visitors

Junk cars can house pests such as insects, rats, wild cats, and stray dogs. A junk car on your property may also attract vagrants and thieves.

5. They Are Dangerous

Sharp edges on a rotting car can require stitches or a tetanus injection. Peeling paint and seeping fluids are toxic to humans and the environment. Some oils are combustible, making abandoned cars a potential disaster.

ARTICLE 13. – ABANDONED AND JUNK VEHICLES

You can see outtakes from state law regarding the state abandoned vehicle regulations. While state law may differ in your location, this Indiana code is an excellent example of what you may face.

Abandoned vehicle:

  • A vehicle parked on public property illegally
  • A vehicle left on public property and not moved for three days
  • A vehicle left on public property causes a hazard or obstruction for pedestrians or vehicle traffic on a public right-of-way.
  • The vehicle has remained on private property for over forty-eight hours without owner consent or person in control.
  • A vehicle where the engine, transmission, or differential has been partially dismantled or removed and left on public property.
  • A vehicle removed by towing service upon request of an officer and vehicle impounded is not claimed by the owner or within fifteen (15) days of removal.
  • A vehicle six or more model years old, mechanically inoperable, and on private property in a location visible from public property for over thirty (30) days.

Junk Car

  • Any motor vehicle remains without a valid license plate and is not in a garage or building.
  • All junk cars and abandoned cars in Syracuse, Indiana, are a public nuisance and may be removed as provided below or by law.
  • Junk cars and abandoned cars in lawfully operated junk yards, automobile sales lots, or areas lawfully operated for vehicles awaiting junking permission from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles of the State of Indiana.
  • Junk cars or abandoned cars specifically adapted or constructed for operation on privately owned raceways; junk cars and abandoned cars stored as the property of an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces;

Removal of Abandoned Vehicles.

Any police can remove an abandoned car 72 hours after posting a notice on it.

The abandoned car is abandoned;

  • If the abandoned car is retrieved within 72 hours, the following charges can be avoided:
  • The car of the abandoned car will be responsible for all charges abandoned with its removal, storage, and disposal.

Citations

Any officer may issue or arrange for the issuance of a civil citation against the owner of a junk car or abandoned car and the occupant or owner of the real estate where said junk car or abandoned car is located.

In cooperation with the Town Attorney, civil penalties and other remedies as provided herein or by other applicable law may be pursued. (Learn How To Clean Vortec Spider Injectors)

Penalties

If any such notice as provided is not heeded within the time fixed, the owner of the abandoned car, the occupant, and the owner of the real land it is located shall be subject to a civil penalty.

  • Each day the abandoned car remains on the property after the notice’s deadline is a separate offense.
  • The owner or person in charge of a junk car and the occupant and owner of the property where it is located face a civil penalty and costs of $50 to $100.
  • Each day the junk car remains on public or private property is a separate violation, and costs are applied according to the report.

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