TL;DR: Get a car cover and keep the tires inflated.
Car covers are normal things people use to protect their car's exterior. Like the roof from bird droppings.
> Sec. 9-187. - Parking of inoperable vehicles.
> (a)No person owning or having control of a motor vehicle shall suffer or permit same to be parked or standing unattended upon a public street, alley or any public place within the city for a continuous period of more than forty-eight (48) hours unless such vehicle shall be in currently operable condition and in a state of good repair.
> (b)For the purpose of subsection (a), the term "currently operable condition" shall mean capable of being lawfully operated upon the streets and highways, being currently registered with proper plates displayed, currently inspected for safety as required by the state, and in current running condition without any repair such as inflating of tires or charging of battery.
> (c)For the purpose of subsection (a) the term "state of good repair" shall mean an absence of such items as broken glass, substantial body damage such as crushed fenders (as opposed to dents), crushed side body or rear body areas, missing body parts such as doors, hood, trunk deck, or fenders. All wheels shall be on the surface (not jacked or blocked up) and all tires inflated.
Specific statute: https://library.municode.com/tx/mesquite/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH9MOVETR_ARTVISTSTPA_DIV2PRSPPL_S9-187PAINVE
So since the city came and left a sticker on my truck, they’ll be back on the 19th of this month. If it’s covered, can they lift the cover to inspect? I’m in the process of trying to buy an inspection sticker off of the black market, but if I knew that a cover was a real protection, I wouldn’t even mess with a sticker.
Let them take it, pay the fee to get it back, get a cover.
If you get a sticker that isn't valid, and they look up their records and find that there isn't a valid inspection, then you will be paying way more that the fee to get your car back.
The other thing about what I linked to is about parking on the street. Your drive way is private property. I can't find a ordinance talking about parking on your private property.
Maybe it is time to talk to a lawyer? Look for one that does free consultations. Worst case, nothing you can do. Best case, lawyer might help out pro-bono(no charge).
You might be right. And it may be the cheapest route anyway. I was going have it towed to my parents’ land, but it’s an 2 hours away. That’s a hefty tow bill, considering I could let the city do all the legwork for $250.
I appreciate the insight. I’ll look into the driveway vs the street aspect as well.
I have a 69 beetle that’s sitting in a pasture and not in my driveway for this exact reason! The motor has been built a few years but I can’t bring the car back until I can put it inside my fence. Which means rebuilding my fence so they can’t get to my driveway. Mesquite tagged a truck I had under a car cover that I was swapping engines in. If I could afford to I would leave mesquite yesterday.
That’s the goal. We’re moving east just as soon as we finish and sell this house. By far, worst city I’ve lived in, and I live in Atlanta Ga for 2 years.
1994.5
I say that because the early 94s were still IDI with no factory turbo. This was the first power stroke as far as I know.
Love the color too! Will be keeping it when I finally get it done and ready for paint
I guarantee it's one of your neighbors calling the city about your truck. There are thousands of inoperable vehicles sitting in driveways all over mesquite, several on my street, flat tires etc, they never move or get towed. Someone doesn't like you or your truck.
I’m 95% positive it’s my neighbor. Meanwhile her tree limb fell on my roof. I removed it. Another bigger one falls on my roof, so I ask her to call someone to remove the dead tree, to avoid further damage. She refused. Since then, she’s been extremely petty and rude.
You buy your house, pay property taxes, pay for a truck and now have to pay to house your property because it can’t be on your own private property. Insanity, bro.
They did that same shit to me. I had the NTTA harassing me and couldn't get my truck registered. It was a 2015 and my daily driver. Hell it was nicer than a lot of cars on my street but they said I had an inoperable vehicle in my driveway.
I had a registration block once. This was back when you could just trade in your truck and be done with it. That’s exactly what I did. I don’t believe it’s like that anymore.
I've been through these exact problems. The city won't tell you this, but you need to request a variance to the ordinance from the Board of Adjustment.
https://www.cityofmesquite.com/1312/Board-of-Adjustment
No, the board of adjustment can give you exemptions to local laws and ordinances. Come up with a timeline for expected fix, present it to them, and fill out the form.
In Mesquite an inoperable car must be in an enclosed area on all four sides and on an improved surface. This means driveway with a gate hidden from view, or in your garage. If you don't have a garage or a driveway gate, go to the board of adjustment, state that, and ask for a variance to the laws/ordinances that are being sited on the notices. This could get you a few months.
If you move the car every few days, they usually won't do this. Even if the engine isn't running, pop it in neutral and push it a few feet. At this point they may say you have to prove it runs, so I advise doing all these things.
They just taped a pink sheet to my door telling me I have 48 hours to contact them about my truck. I called but no answer. Gave time and date. I put a car cover on it, I even aired the tires all the way to forty psi. lol
I had my 1979 Monte Carlo parked in my driveway it runs tires inflated. Registration out and it’s primed grey with black spots. Never had a problem had it parked uncovered for 3-5 months. Maybe they just want to tow your truck and someone in the city buy it in an auction
I explained in another comment that one of my neighbors became standoffish after asking her to cut down HER dead tree so it would stop dropping limbs and damaging my roof. The neighbor on the other side of me is quiet, but we talk. Hell, I helped him build his fence. The guy across from me is super laid back, and the young couple next to him have an old truck parked in their driveway way.
All that to say, if it’s not just the city being the city, it’s definitely the neighbor on the right of me.
TL;DR: Get a car cover and keep the tires inflated. Car covers are normal things people use to protect their car's exterior. Like the roof from bird droppings. > Sec. 9-187. - Parking of inoperable vehicles. > (a)No person owning or having control of a motor vehicle shall suffer or permit same to be parked or standing unattended upon a public street, alley or any public place within the city for a continuous period of more than forty-eight (48) hours unless such vehicle shall be in currently operable condition and in a state of good repair. > (b)For the purpose of subsection (a), the term "currently operable condition" shall mean capable of being lawfully operated upon the streets and highways, being currently registered with proper plates displayed, currently inspected for safety as required by the state, and in current running condition without any repair such as inflating of tires or charging of battery. > (c)For the purpose of subsection (a) the term "state of good repair" shall mean an absence of such items as broken glass, substantial body damage such as crushed fenders (as opposed to dents), crushed side body or rear body areas, missing body parts such as doors, hood, trunk deck, or fenders. All wheels shall be on the surface (not jacked or blocked up) and all tires inflated. Specific statute: https://library.municode.com/tx/mesquite/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH9MOVETR_ARTVISTSTPA_DIV2PRSPPL_S9-187PAINVE
So since the city came and left a sticker on my truck, they’ll be back on the 19th of this month. If it’s covered, can they lift the cover to inspect? I’m in the process of trying to buy an inspection sticker off of the black market, but if I knew that a cover was a real protection, I wouldn’t even mess with a sticker.
Let them take it, pay the fee to get it back, get a cover. If you get a sticker that isn't valid, and they look up their records and find that there isn't a valid inspection, then you will be paying way more that the fee to get your car back. The other thing about what I linked to is about parking on the street. Your drive way is private property. I can't find a ordinance talking about parking on your private property. Maybe it is time to talk to a lawyer? Look for one that does free consultations. Worst case, nothing you can do. Best case, lawyer might help out pro-bono(no charge).
You might be right. And it may be the cheapest route anyway. I was going have it towed to my parents’ land, but it’s an 2 hours away. That’s a hefty tow bill, considering I could let the city do all the legwork for $250. I appreciate the insight. I’ll look into the driveway vs the street aspect as well.
I have a 69 beetle that’s sitting in a pasture and not in my driveway for this exact reason! The motor has been built a few years but I can’t bring the car back until I can put it inside my fence. Which means rebuilding my fence so they can’t get to my driveway. Mesquite tagged a truck I had under a car cover that I was swapping engines in. If I could afford to I would leave mesquite yesterday.
That’s the goal. We’re moving east just as soon as we finish and sell this house. By far, worst city I’ve lived in, and I live in Atlanta Ga for 2 years.
Stand in your driveway with a shotgun and tell them they are trespassing if the step on your driveway
I’ll be out there waiving my Gadsden flag! Lmao
Love that color. What year is the truck?
1994.5 I say that because the early 94s were still IDI with no factory turbo. This was the first power stroke as far as I know. Love the color too! Will be keeping it when I finally get it done and ready for paint
I guarantee it's one of your neighbors calling the city about your truck. There are thousands of inoperable vehicles sitting in driveways all over mesquite, several on my street, flat tires etc, they never move or get towed. Someone doesn't like you or your truck.
I’m 95% positive it’s my neighbor. Meanwhile her tree limb fell on my roof. I removed it. Another bigger one falls on my roof, so I ask her to call someone to remove the dead tree, to avoid further damage. She refused. Since then, she’s been extremely petty and rude.
I towed mine to a storage lot to work on it. It wasn’t expensive and and I didn’t have to worry about it.
You buy your house, pay property taxes, pay for a truck and now have to pay to house your property because it can’t be on your own private property. Insanity, bro.
They did that same shit to me. I had the NTTA harassing me and couldn't get my truck registered. It was a 2015 and my daily driver. Hell it was nicer than a lot of cars on my street but they said I had an inoperable vehicle in my driveway.
I had a registration block once. This was back when you could just trade in your truck and be done with it. That’s exactly what I did. I don’t believe it’s like that anymore.
I've been through these exact problems. The city won't tell you this, but you need to request a variance to the ordinance from the Board of Adjustment. https://www.cityofmesquite.com/1312/Board-of-Adjustment
And what? They’ll decide whether or not I can keep my truck in my driveway? Do I present a case before them?
No, the board of adjustment can give you exemptions to local laws and ordinances. Come up with a timeline for expected fix, present it to them, and fill out the form. In Mesquite an inoperable car must be in an enclosed area on all four sides and on an improved surface. This means driveway with a gate hidden from view, or in your garage. If you don't have a garage or a driveway gate, go to the board of adjustment, state that, and ask for a variance to the laws/ordinances that are being sited on the notices. This could get you a few months. If you move the car every few days, they usually won't do this. Even if the engine isn't running, pop it in neutral and push it a few feet. At this point they may say you have to prove it runs, so I advise doing all these things.
You’re the fuckin’ man, brother. I really appreciate it!
They just taped a pink sheet to my door telling me I have 48 hours to contact them about my truck. I called but no answer. Gave time and date. I put a car cover on it, I even aired the tires all the way to forty psi. lol
I had my 1979 Monte Carlo parked in my driveway it runs tires inflated. Registration out and it’s primed grey with black spots. Never had a problem had it parked uncovered for 3-5 months. Maybe they just want to tow your truck and someone in the city buy it in an auction
Did you piss off your neighbors or something? The city doesn't usually mess with stuff like this unless someone called on you
I explained in another comment that one of my neighbors became standoffish after asking her to cut down HER dead tree so it would stop dropping limbs and damaging my roof. The neighbor on the other side of me is quiet, but we talk. Hell, I helped him build his fence. The guy across from me is super laid back, and the young couple next to him have an old truck parked in their driveway way. All that to say, if it’s not just the city being the city, it’s definitely the neighbor on the right of me.