Vehicle Immobilization Services

Saint Paul Legislative Code tit. XXIX, ch. 383

in effect

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 383.01 Definitions.

Sec. 383.01. - Definitions. As used in this chapter: Locking wheel boot. A mechanical clamp or boot which is professionally manufactured and designed to lock the front left wheel of a motor vehicle, immobilizing the vehicle and preventing anyone but a keyholder from removing the clamp. Vehicle immobilization. Use of a locking wheel boot that, when attached to the wheel of a vehicle, prevents the vehicle from moving without damage to the tire to which the locking wheel boot is attached. Vehicle immobilization service. A person, firm or corporation who at the request of a private property owner engages in the act of vehicle immobilization of vehicles that have been parked or placed on a private parking lot without permission of the owner or payment of a parking fee. (C.F. No. 01-1243, § 1, 12-26-01)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 383.02 License required.

Sec. 383.02. - License required. No person, firm or corporation shall provide vehicle immobilization services as described herein without being licensed. (C.F. No. 01-1243, § 1, 12-26-01)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 383.03 License fee.

Sec. 383.03. - License fee. The fee for a vehicle immobilization service license shall be as set forth in section 310.09(b) and 310.18 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code. (C.F. No. 01-1243, § 1, 12-26-01)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 383.04 Application for license.

Sec. 383.04. - Application for license. An application for a license under this chapter shall be made upon forms provided by the department of safety and inspections, and shall contain such information as the department may require, including the following: (1) The name, date of birth, and street address of the place where the applicant resides, and if the applicant is a partnership, corporation or other entity, the names and addresses of its officers and shareholders. (2) Whether the applicant has been convicted of any crime or ordinance violation within the past seven years preceding the date of the application or is currently on probation for any crime the conviction date of which is older than seven years, including the specific charge, date of conviction, place of conviction and the sentence imposed. (3) The street address and telephone number of the place where the applicant proposes to operate the licensed business. (4) The location of any private property locations where the vehicle immobilization service will be conducted and the names and contact information of all persons authorized to order vehicle immobilization at each such location. (C.F. No. 01-1243, § 1, 12-26-01; C.F. No. 07-149, § 140, 3-28-07)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 383.05 Rules of operation.

Sec. 383.05. - Rules of operation. In addition to any other applicable regulations contained in this chapter or code all licensees under this chapter shall operate in strict accordance with the following: (1) Prior to installing a locking wheel boot on any motor vehicle at the request of someone other than the vehicle's owner, the licensee shall determine that the parking lot has warning signs advising that failure to pay the required parking fee may result in immobilization. (2) Vehicle immobilization service licensees shall use a printed order form which includes the name, address and telephone number of the licensee's business, as well as space to enter the name of the person authorizing the service, the time the service was performed, the name of the person installing the locking wheel boot, the location where the service is being provided and a description of the vehicle to be immobilized. Every form shall be completed in a legible manner and signed by the person who authorized the service. The person authorizing the service shall be present when the locking wheel boot is attached to the vehicle and must be the owner of the property, the licensee of the parking lot or a duly authorized employee or agent of the owner or parking lot licensee. The vehicle immobilization service licensee shall have this authorized order form signed, fully completed and in possession before installing the locking wheel boot. The amount charged for the service, including any parking fees due, shall be included on this order form and a copy of the form shall be given to the person reclaiming the vehicle. The original completed order forms must be maintained at the licensee's place of business for a period of at least two (2) years and shall be made available for review upon request of the director of the department of safety and inspections or his/her designated representative. (3) A licensee under this chapter shall maintain a chronological log or record of all vehicles that have been immobilized. The log shall indicate a description of the vehicle, location that the service was performed, time or service, and time of vehicle release. This log shall be made available for renew upon request of the director of the department of safety and inspections or his/her designated representative. (4) Whenever a locking wheel boot is installed on a vehicle, a blaze orange warning decal at least forty-seven (47) inches square in size shall be prominently placed in the center of the driver's side window or on the front windshield directly in front of the steering wheel. The decal must clearly and legibly state that a locking device has been installed on the front left wheel of the vehicle and that attempting to move the vehicle will cause serious damage to the vehicle. The decal shall display the telephone number and the address of the licensee. Upon payment of the service fee, the licensee shall offer to remove the decal and shall have in possession the appropriate materials to remove the decal and residue. (5) Vehicle immobilization service licensees shall maintain twenty-four (24) hour telephones and wheel locking removal services, and shall respond to a request to remove a wheel locking device within sixty (60) minutes. If a licensee does not appear to remove the wheel locking device within sixty (60) minutes of a customer request, the locking device shall be removed at no charge except that the customer shall still be required to pay the parking fees due. (6) Vehicle immobilization service licensees shall not install a wheel locking boot on any marked emergency vehicle or any United States military vehicle without a city parking enforcement officer being present. (7) In the event a vehicle is not claimed within twenty-four (24) hours, the licensee shall notify the city police department of the license number and description of the vehicle. If the vehicle was reported as stolen, the licensee shall, at the direction of a police office, remove the vehicle immobilization device without a charge. (8) The vehicle immobilization service may not attempt to collect service or parking fees after the vehicle has been impounded by a licensed tow truck. (C.F. No. 01-1243, § 1, 12-26-01; C.F. No. 07-149, § 141, 3-28-07)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 383.06 Insurance required.

Sec. 383.06. - Insurance required. Each applicant for a vehicle immobilization service license under this chapter shall at all times keep in full force and effect a public liability insurance policy written by an insurance company authorized to do business in the state in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for injury or death to one (1) person, three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) for each injury or death from each occurrence, and twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) for property damage. Proof of the required insurance policy must be submitted to the department of safety and inspections. (C.F. No. 01-1243, § 1, 12-26-01; C.F. No. 07-149, § 142, 3-28-07)

Saint Paul Legislative Code § 383.07 Service fee.

Sec. 383.07. - Service fee. The maximum service fee for vehicle immobilization shall not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of the fee charged for a tow by the city impound facility, plus any commercial parking lot fees due. No other service charges or parking fees may be charged as a condition of removing the locking wheel boot by the licensee under this chapter or by the parking lot where the vehicle immobilization service is performed. Vehicle immobilization service licensees shall honor all forms of payment currently accepted by the city impound facility. (C.F. No. 01-1243, § 1, 12-26-01)

Source: City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, City Charter, Legislative Code and Administrative Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/st._paul/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILECO_TITXXIXLI_CH383VEIMSEFetched: 11/1/2026