Dalton Police Clarify Used Car Law

In May of 2007, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed House Bill 144 into law.  It changed the law that governs the sale or advertising of used cars parked on property.

Under the new act, Georgia Code 40-2-39.1 reads:

(a) (1) An owner or lessee of any real property shall not authorize more than five used motor vehicles within any 12 month period displayed or parked on such real property for the purpose of selling or advertising the sale of such used motor vehicles by the owner or lessee of such vehicles.

(2) An owner or lessee of any real property shall not authorize more than two used motor vehicles at the same time displayed or parked on such real property for the purpose of selling or advertising the sale of such used motor vehicles by the owner or lessee of such vehicles.

(3) An owner or lessee of any used motor vehicle shall not display or park such used motor vehicle on the real property of another for the purpose of selling or advertising the sale of such used motor vehicle if the display or parking of such vehicle will cause the owner or lessee of the real property to be in violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection.

(4) An owner or lessee of any used motor vehicle shall not display or park such used motor vehicle on the real property of another for the purpose of selling or advertising the sale of such used motor vehicle unless the owner or lessee of such vehicle has the prior permission of the owner or lessee of the real property.

The Dalton Police Department has received complaints about local parking lots with too many used cars for sale parked on the premises, in violation of the law.  Because this is a relatively new statute, the police department wants to get the word out about the changes, so citizens can be aware and get into compliance.

The code does provide for several exceptions.  For example, the driver of a used car marked for sale can park that vehicle at a property if he or she works there, or has business there, but not for longer than 24 hours at a time.  You can read the entire code by clicking here and searching for Georgia Code Section 40-2-39.1.