Environmental Health - Junk Vehicle Program
About the Program
Montana was one of the leading states in enacting junk vehicle legislation. Its primary purpose is to control junk vehicles and prevent them from being scattered throughout the countryside, thereby helping to help preserve the beauty of our state.
This program also provides for the recycling of the junk vehicles collected so that this valuable resource may be utilized again.
This program is paid for from the small fee you are assessed when you license your vehicle. The benefits of this program are available to all Montanans; please use it.
If you have a junk vehicle you want to have hauled away for free, complete a Release Form and return it to the Health Department.
Montana Code Annotated 75-10-501
Contact Information
Contact Person: Richard Corrigan
Phone: (406) 258-4755
Fax: (406) 258-4781
Email: corriganr@ho.missoula.mt.us
Address: 301 West Alder Street, Missoula MT 59802
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the Montana Junk Vehicle Law?
- Q: What is a "Junk Vehicle"?
- Q: What is a "Public View"?
- Q: Do I have to shield my vehicles if I'm not in the commercial motor vehicle wrecking business?
- Q: If I only have one junk vehicle do I need to shield it?
- Q: How can I shield my junk vehicles from public view?
- Q: Can I do anything else other than removing or shielding the vehicle?
- Q: What if I no longer want to keep the vehicle?
- Q: Do I need to shield items such as engines, transmissions, and fenders?
- Q: Do I need to obtain a motor vehicle wrecking facility license for my own junk vehicles?
- Q: If I have more than four junk vehicles and decide I want to start dealing in used parts who do I contact for licensing information?
- Q: How can I comply with the law if a junk vehicle has been abandoned on my property?
- Q: What are the penalties if I don't comply with the junk vehicle law?
- Q: Who can I contact for more information or to arrange to have a junk vehicle removed from my property?
Q: What is the Montana Junk Vehicle Law?
A: In 1973 the Montana Motor Vehicle Recycling and Disposal Act was enacted for the establishment, control, operation, and licensing of public and private motor vehicle wrecking facilities. This law requires commercial and county motor vehicle storage and wrecking yards to obtain an annual license, keep pertinent records and shield their junk vehicles from public view. This law also requires the control of junk vehicles at locations other than motor vehicle wrecking facilities.
Q: What is a "Junk Vehicle"?
A: A junk vehicle is defined as any "discarded, ruined, wrecked, or dismantled motor vehicle, including component parts, which is not lawfully and validly licensed and remains inoperative or incapable of being driven." A vehicle must meet all three parts of the definition to be classified as a junk vehicle.
Q: What is a "Public View"?
A: Public view is defined as "any point 6 feet above the surface of the center of a public road from which a junk vehicle can be seen. " A public road is any publicly owned or maintained highway, street, road or alley.
Q: Do I have to shield my vehicles if I'm not in the commercial motor vehicle wrecking business?
A: Yes, all vehicles which meet the three part definition of a junk vehicle must be shielded from public view.
Q: If I only have one junk vehicle do I need to shield it?
A: Yes, all junk vehicles regardless of number must be shielded from public view.
Q: How can I shield my junk vehicles from public view?
A: You can move the vehicle to a location that will shield it, such as into a garage or behind a solid fence, hill or building. You may also construct shielding using permanent fencing materials. Certain construction specifications are required for proper shielding. If you intend to shield your vehicles, contact the agency listed on the back of this pamphlet for more information prior to construction. Placing tarps or plastics over the vehicles is not acceptable shielding.
Q: Can I do anything else other than removing or shielding the vehicle?
A: Yes, you may repair the vehicle to make it operable. or license it. Either action will remove the vehicle from the classification of a junk vehicle.
Q: What if I no longer want to keep the vehicle?
A: If the vehicle has value from its parts, contact a licensed private motor vehicle wrecking facility. Most commercial wrecking facilities will buy vehicles that have marketable parts. If the vehicle's value is low, they may haul it away free in exchange for its parts. Some vehicles have little or no parts value and the private wrecking facility may not be interested in buying or hauling it. If this is the case, contact your local county junk vehicle program listed on the back of this pamphlet. They will arrange to haul and dispose of your junk vehicle at no charge to you.
Q: Do I need to shield items such as engines, transmissions, and fenders?
A: Yes, any component part of a vehicle must also be shielded.
Q: Do I need to obtain a motor vehicle wrecking facility license for my own junk vehicles?
A: If you have four or more junk vehicles at anyone location or if you buy, sell or deal in secondhand motor vehicle parts you are required to obtain a license.
Q: If I have more than four junk vehicles and decide I want to start dealing in used parts who do I contact for licensing information
A: Information on the requirements for obtaining a Montana motor vehicle wrecking facility license can be obtained from your County Sanitarian; the office listed on this pamphlet; or the Montana Department of Health & Environmental Sciences, Solid & Hazardous Waste Bureau, Helena, MT 59601.
Q: How can I comply with the law if a junk vehicle has been abandoned on my property?
A: Montana has specific laws regarding the disposition of abandoned vehicles. Contact your local law enforcement agency and request their help in contacting the owner or in obtaining authorization to have the vehicle removed.
Q: What are the penalties if I don't comply with the junk vehicle law?
A: The junk vehicle statutes provide for criminal penalties of up to $250 and/or 30 days in jail. Civil fines of up to $50 for each day of violation may also be imposed.
Q: Who can I contact for more information or to arrange to have a junk vehicle removed from my property?
A: You may contact your Board of County Commissioners, County
Sanitarian, or the office listed below:
Missoula City-County Health Department
301 W. Alder
Missoula, MT 59802-4123
Forms
Junk Vehicle Program Release Form
Links
Visit the State's Junk Vehicle Program site.
Program News
Richard Corrigan, Missoula's Junk Vehicle Coordinator, has been hard at work ridding Missoula County of unsightly junk vehicles and car parts.
Watch this site for news on the "numbers." Missoula has been significantly depopulated of its junk vehicles.
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