Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Sales Of Vehicles On Roads And Private Property

PRESS RELEASE:

DATE: July 29, 2011
CONTACT: Wendy Thomas, 406-455-8432
Deputy Director, Planning & Community Development

SALE OF VEHICLES ON ROADS AND PRIVATE PROPERTY

GREAT FALLS, Montana – The City of Great Falls Planning and Community Development Department in conjunction with the Police Department would like to remind residents that the State of Montana regulates the sale of vehicles on streets and on private property.

The Montana Code (MCA 61-4-143 and 61-8-356) states that a person may not park a motor vehicle offered or posted for sale on property in which the person does not have a legal interest, if the primary purpose is to sell the vehicle. For example, parking your vehicle, posted for sale, along the road or adjacent to a road to maximize exposure to encourage the sale of the vehicle is unlawful. However, if you have a “For Sale” sign in your car and you park the car on the road while you are enjoying a picnic at the adjacent park that is lawful.

Areas within the City have become informal “lemon lots” where people park vehicles that are for sale. Selling vehicles in a manner that does not meet state code may result in the owner receiving a written warning for the first violation and a fine of between $250 and $500 for a second violation. Violations of the state statute may be reported to the City of Great Falls Police Department by calling 771-1180 or through the City of Great Falls web site, http://www.greatfallsmt.net/people_offices/police/crimereport.php

According to Wendy Thomas, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development, “Our goal is to ensure that people wanting to sell a vehicle know what state law requires and comply with the law. We don’t want our residents to be in a position where they find a citation on their vehicle.” For more information on the Montana Code requirements regarding vehicle sales, please contact the City Attorney’s Office, at 406-455-8535.

1 comment:

Publius II said...

For some folks, their only option is this method that's 'illegal' while the CITY keeps losing YOUR money in failed ventures AGAINST city law. Wow.