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HomeHarbors and Navigation CodeDiv. 3Ch. 3Art. 1§ 513 Sale Of Perishable Wrecked Property

§ 513 Sale Of Perishable Wrecked Property

Harbors and Navigation Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 513 Sale Of Perishable Wrecked Property

This law lets the sheriff ask a judge to sell wrecked stuff that’s going bad, and the money left after costs goes into the state’s general fund.

Key Takeaways

  • •The sheriff can only sell wrecked property that is perishable (e.g., rusting, decaying).
  • •A judge must approve the sale after reviewing a verified petition.
  • •The sale must be a public auction as directed by the judge.
  • •All costs (salvage, storage, sale) are taken out first, and the rest goes to the General Fund.

Example

A car that was in a serious crash is rusting and can’t be fixed.

The sheriff files a petition with the judge asking to sell the car at a public auction. If the judge agrees, the car is auctioned and, after paying for storage and the sale, the remaining money is sent to the state treasury.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 513 Sale Of Perishable Wrecked Property

If wrecked property is in a perishable state, the sheriff shall apply to the judge of the superior court, upon a verified petition, for an order authorizing the sheriff to sell it. If the judge is satisfied that a sale of the property would be beneficial to the persons interested, he or she shall make the order applied for, and the property shall then be sold at public auction, as specified in the order. The proceeds, deducting the expenses of salvage, storage, and sale as settled and allowed by the judge, shall be transmitted to the Treasurer for deposit in the General Fund. (Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 930, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1998.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

wrecked propertyperishable stateverified petitionpublic auctionGeneral Fund

Related Statutes

  • § 518 Unclaimed Wrecked Property Sale
  • § 511 Salvage Claims On Wrecks
  • § 512 Sheriff Handling Abandoned Wrecks
  • § 514 Wrecked Property Claims Process
  • § 519 Wrecked Property Sale Notice

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 513.
View Official Source