Cities and towns may not ban booting vehicles on private property, and booting services must follow statewide rules, including a $90 to $150 booting fee, release within 30 minutes of a request, posted signs and a dispute process.
Official title: motor vehicle booting; fees; regulation
- September 12, 2026
What changes
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NowA city or town may not adopt any law or rule that prohibits booting a motor vehicle on private property. Cities and towns may regulate booting rates, signs and release practices, but only in ways consistent with the state rules.
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NowA booting service may charge at least $90 but not more than $150 to boot a vehicle. These amounts are automatically adjusted every 3 years based on the consumer price index. No extra fee may be charged for paying by credit card.
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NowA booting service must be able to release booted vehicles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and must release a vehicle within 30 minutes of a request. If release takes more than 30 but less than 60 minutes, the booting fee must be cut by 50%. If release comes after 60 minutes, no fee may be charged for the release. All booting charges and unpaid parking fees must be paid before release.
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NowA booting service may boot a vehicle on private property only if a law enforcement agency asks, or the property owner or agent gives written permission that complies with the sign rules. Those rules call for clearly visible signs in the parking area and at each entrance listing parking restrictions, what happens to violators, the maximum boot removal cost and a phone number and address for help. Without such signs, the property owner is deemed to allow unrestricted public parking.
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NowBooting services may not boot vehicles with tax-exempt plates, marked emergency vehicles, occupied vehicles, or vehicles parked less than 15 minutes past their paid parking time. Booting services or parking management companies must offer a dispute process and give a decision within 60 days. Breaking certain rules is a class 2 misdemeanor, and a driver who intentionally damages or does not return a boot may face an added fee of up to $250.
Who it affects
- Drivers who park in private paid parking areas
- Owners and operators of booted vehicles
- Motor vehicle booting services
- Parking area management companies
- Private property owners who allow booting
- Cities and towns
What you need to do
Nothing, unless your vehicle is booted. Then all booting charges and unpaid parking fees must be paid before release, and intentionally damaging or not returning the boot can bring an added fee of up to $250.
What the law doesn't answer
- What happens to existing city or town rules that ban or restrict booting
- Who enforces these rules or checks that booting services comply
- The fine or jail time for a class 2 misdemeanor
- How the consumer price index adjustment is calculated or announced
- Whether a driver can appeal a dispute decision beyond the booting service or parking company
- Any limit on the amount of unpaid parking fees that can be collected
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.