REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF A BOOT.
Austin City Code § 13-7-42
in effect§ 13-7-42 - REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF A BOOT.
(A) A licensee or permittee, either personally or through an employee or agent, is required to:
(1) install at least one boot on a tire located on the driver's side of the vehicle when immobilizing a vehicle;
(2) either:
(i) remove the boot, in exchange for the vehicle immobilization fee, not later than one hour after the time the owner or operator of the vehicle contacts the licensee responsible for installation of the boot to request removal of the boot; or
(ii) immediately send a code, signal, communication, or other remote means of unlocking the boot to the vehicle owner or operator via smartphone or other similar device, in exchange for the vehicle immobilization fee, that will enable the vehicle owner or operator to self-remove the boot if the owner or operator of the vehicle wants to remove the boot themselves; however, the licensee or permittee must remove the boot within one hour in exchange for the vehicle immobilization fee, as required in Subsection (A)(2)(i), if the vehicle owner or operator requests the licensee remove the boot;
(3) waive the amount of the fee for removal of a boot, excluding any associated parking fees, if the licensee fails to have the boot removed within the time prescribed by Subsection (A)(2)(i);
(4) remove a boot without charge to the vehicle owner or operator, or to the parking lot owner, if the removal is requested before the boot is completely installed and a conspicuous notice has been adhered to the front windshield or driver's side window of the vehicle at the time of immobilization as required under Section 13-7-44 (Notification of Vehicle Owner);
(5) remove a boot upon the order of a peace officer or parking enforcement officer; and
(6) wear high-visibility retro-reflective safety apparel when installing or removing a boot.
(B) A licensee responsible for the installation of more than one boot on a vehicle may not charge a total amount for the removal of the boots that is greater than the amount of the fee for the removal of a single boot.
(C) If a licensee or permittee installs a boot that may be self-removed by the vehicle owner or operator, as described in Subsection (A)(2)(ii), the licensee is required to install, or have a third-party install, an accessible and secure receptacle in which vehicle owners or operators can deposit self-removed boots. The receptacle must be installed in a well-lit and clearly marked area of the parking lot where the immobilized vehicle is parked.
Source: Ord. No. 20180823-075, Pt. 2, 8-23-2018; Ord. No. 20220519-031, Pt. 2, 5-30-22.
Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT13TRSE_CH13-7VEIMSE_ART4VEIMRE_S13-7-42REINREBOFetched: 10/27/2026