VEHICLE IMMOBILIZATION REGULATIONS.

Austin City Code tit. 13, ch. 13-7, art. 4

in effect

Austin City Code § 13-7-41 REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMOBILIZATION.

§ 13-7-41 - REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMOBILIZATION. (A) A person is prohibited from immobilizing, or causing to be immobilized, a vehicle on a parking lot, unless: (1) at the time the vehicle is immobilized: (a) the parking lot owner signs written authorization for immobilization of the vehicle by the licensee, or (b) a current written agreement exists between the parking lot owner and the licensee authorizing immobilization of unauthorized vehicles on the parking lot and a photograph is taken reasonably showing that the immobilized vehicle was unauthorized on the parking lot; and (2) at the time the vehicle is to be immobilized and for at least 24 hours prior to immobilization: (a) the parking lot has posted the signs required by Subchapter G, Chapter 2308, Texas Occupations Code (Signs Prohibiting Unauthorized Vehicles and Designating Restricted Areas); (b) all numbered parking spaces in the parking lot are correctly numbered and easily readable both day and night; and (B) The written authorization for immobilization required by Subsection (A)(1)(a) must contain: (1) a description of the vehicle to be immobilized including the make, model, color, state license plate number, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle; (2) the date and time of the vehicle's immobilization; (3) the location at which the vehicle is immobilized; (4) the reasons for immobilizing the vehicle; and (5) the signature of the parking lot's owner or agent. (C) The written agreement required by subsection (A)(1)(b) must: (1) contain a clear election, signed by the parking lot owner or the parking lot owner's duly authorized agent, as to whether the licensee is authorized to immobilize unauthorized vehicles on the parking lot 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or only during the normal business hours of the parking lot owner; and (2) be renewed at least every two years or whenever there is a change in ownership of the parking lot. (D) Except for signs required Subchapter G, Chapter 2308, Texas Occupations Code (Signs Prohibiting Unauthorized Vehicles and Designating Restricted Areas), a licensee in connection with immobilizing a vehicle in a parking lot may not directly or indirectly give anything of value to a parking lot owner. (E) A licensee may not for compensation immobilize vehicles in a parking lot in which the parking lot owner has a direct or indirect monetary interest in the licensee. (Ord. No. 20180823-075, Pt. 2, 8-23-2018)

Austin City Code § 13-7-42 REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF A BOOT.

§ 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.

Austin City Code § 13-7-43 PROHIBITIONS AGAINST IMMOBILIZING AND TOWING THE SAME VEHICLE.

§ 13-7-43 - PROHIBITIONS AGAINST IMMOBILIZING AND TOWING THE SAME VEHICLE. (A) A vehicle may not be immobilized and towed from a parking facility before the expiration of 16 hours after the initial installation of the boot. (B) After the initial 16 hour prohibition against immobilizing and towing in Subsection (A), immobilized vehicles may not be towed unless the vehicle immobilization licensee or permittee placed a conspicuous notice on the vehicle informing the vehicle owner or operator that: (1) unless the boot is removed, in exchange for the vehicle immobilization fee, within 16 hours, the vehicle may be towed; and (2) vehicle tow service and storage fees that exceed the vehicle immobilization fee may be incurred. (C) This section is applicable to vehicles that remain immobilized and have not been removed from the parking lot for a continuous 16 hour period. (D) This section is not applicable to an immobilized vehicle if the owner or operator poses an imminent threat to the booting permittee, or causes, attempts to cause, or threatens to cause damage to the boot. Source: Ord. No. 20180823-075, Pt. 2, 8-23-2018.

Austin City Code § 13-7-44 NOTIFICATION OF VEHICLE OWNER.

§ 13-7-44 - NOTIFICATION OF VEHICLE OWNER. (A) A licensee or permittee shall provide the owner of any vehicle immobilized on a parking lot by the licensee with written notice containing the following information: (1) The company name, address, telephone number, and vehicle immobilization service license number of the licensee; (2) A statement that the vehicle has been immobilized and damage may occur if the vehicle is moved; (3) The date and time the vehicle was immobilized; (4) An explanation of how to request removal of the boot from the vehicle, including a telephone number, answered 24 hours a day, at which a vehicle owner or operator may obtain information to have the boot removed from the vehicle; (5) The amount of the immobilization fee and any outstanding parking fees; (6) A statement approved by the police chief explaining how and to whom a complaint concerning the vehicle's immobilization or a violation of this chapter can be made; and (7) A statement that the vehicle owner or operator has a right to request a hearing under Subchapter J, Chapter 2308, Texas Occupations Code (Rights of Owners and Operators of Stored or Booted Vehicles), regarding whether probable cause existed to immobilize the vehicle. (B) The notice must be conspicuous, and adhered to the front windshield or driver's side window of the vehicle at the time of immobilization. (C) The licensee shall include with the notice required under this section, a notice that complies with the content requirements of Section 2308.455, Texas Occupations Code (Contents of Notice). Source: Ord. No. 20180823-075, Pt. 2, 8-23-2018.

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_ART4VEIMREFetched: 10/27/2026