Junk Vehicle
Richland County Receives state grant funding to haul away and recycle junk vehicles.
What qualifies as a "junk vehicle"?
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. The Richland County Sanitarian and the junk vehicle hauler can help you determine if a vehicle meets this definition.
How much will this cost me?
If your vehicle meets the definition of a junk vehicle and you choose to utilize the junk vehicle program, hauling and disposal of the vehicle is free of charge.
I have a vehicle I want hauled, what do I do?
Call the Health Department. We'll review the criteria, take the details of the vehicle, and connect you with the Public Works Department. Someone from Public Works will contact you directly to arrange to haul the vehicle. You will sign a form that you acknowledge that you will not receive funds for the vehicle, that you are the legal owner, and that your vehicle will be recycled. You must remove all personal items from the vehicle prior to disposal.
Do I have to have the title for the vehicle?
You do not necessarily have to have the title available, though you must prove that there is no lien on the vehicle.
There are abandoned vehicles on my property, can I have them hauled?
In most circumstances, yes. By law, the registered owner of the vehicle, if any, has to be offered the opportunity to retrieve their vehicle. We work with the Richland County Sheriff to notify the last owner. Notification can take longer than a month to complete. If the last owner does not respond, or does not want the vehicle, the Sheriff will release the vehicle and it can be hauled.
Can I recycle a boat?
We cannot take boats or other watercraft.
Can I recycle a motorhome, RV or trailer house?
We set aside funds each grant cycle for the reimbursement for the disposal of junk non-motorized vehicles and motor homes. These items cannot be recycled, but can be disposed at the landfill. You must apply for funds BEFORE disposal and receive approval. We have three slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. There may be additional, limited funds available should each slot not be fully disbursed. The program is a reimbursement-YOU are responsible for disposal of the item at the landfill and paying any up-front costs. You must turn in receipts for reimbursement up to the amount set aside for each slot. This amount varies by grant cycle. Call the Health Department for more information.
I want to start salvaging vehicles, how do I get started?
A license is required to operate a motor vehicle wrecking facility. Visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Motor Vehicle Recycling & Disposal program website for information on regulated facilities and license requirements. Possession of four or more junk vehicles at a single location qualifies as potential operation of a motor vehicle wrecking facility, and one or more junk vehicles at a single location must be shielded from view.
My neighbor has a lot of junk vehicles, where do I file a complaint?
You can file a complaint on our complaint page. Be aware that many vehicles that appear to be "junk" do not meet the full definition of junk in Montana law, and therefore cannot be disposed. Farms and ranches are exempt from junk vehicle laws. Junk vehicle compliance may take several months.
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. The Richland County Sanitarian and the junk vehicle hauler can help you determine if a vehicle meets this definition.
How much will this cost me?
If your vehicle meets the definition of a junk vehicle and you choose to utilize the junk vehicle program, hauling and disposal of the vehicle is free of charge.
I have a vehicle I want hauled, what do I do?
Call the Health Department. We'll review the criteria, take the details of the vehicle, and connect you with the Public Works Department. Someone from Public Works will contact you directly to arrange to haul the vehicle. You will sign a form that you acknowledge that you will not receive funds for the vehicle, that you are the legal owner, and that your vehicle will be recycled. You must remove all personal items from the vehicle prior to disposal.
Do I have to have the title for the vehicle?
You do not necessarily have to have the title available, though you must prove that there is no lien on the vehicle.
There are abandoned vehicles on my property, can I have them hauled?
In most circumstances, yes. By law, the registered owner of the vehicle, if any, has to be offered the opportunity to retrieve their vehicle. We work with the Richland County Sheriff to notify the last owner. Notification can take longer than a month to complete. If the last owner does not respond, or does not want the vehicle, the Sheriff will release the vehicle and it can be hauled.
Can I recycle a boat?
We cannot take boats or other watercraft.
Can I recycle a motorhome, RV or trailer house?
We set aside funds each grant cycle for the reimbursement for the disposal of junk non-motorized vehicles and motor homes. These items cannot be recycled, but can be disposed at the landfill. You must apply for funds BEFORE disposal and receive approval. We have three slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. There may be additional, limited funds available should each slot not be fully disbursed. The program is a reimbursement-YOU are responsible for disposal of the item at the landfill and paying any up-front costs. You must turn in receipts for reimbursement up to the amount set aside for each slot. This amount varies by grant cycle. Call the Health Department for more information.
I want to start salvaging vehicles, how do I get started?
A license is required to operate a motor vehicle wrecking facility. Visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Motor Vehicle Recycling & Disposal program website for information on regulated facilities and license requirements. Possession of four or more junk vehicles at a single location qualifies as potential operation of a motor vehicle wrecking facility, and one or more junk vehicles at a single location must be shielded from view.
My neighbor has a lot of junk vehicles, where do I file a complaint?
You can file a complaint on our complaint page. Be aware that many vehicles that appear to be "junk" do not meet the full definition of junk in Montana law, and therefore cannot be disposed. Farms and ranches are exempt from junk vehicle laws. Junk vehicle compliance may take several months.