City Code Amendment for Vehicle Immobilization (Booting)

Questions & Answers

  • Yes. No person may engage in booting motor vehicles within Chattanooga without first obtaining and keeping in force a license from the Parking Authority. Operating without a license violates this chapter.

  • Licenses are issued by the Chattanooga Parking Authority. Both Licensed Booting Operators and Licensed Parking Enforcement Vendors must renew their license annually.

  • A Licensed Booting Operator must: (1) be an employee of a Licensed Parking Enforcement Vendor; (2) hold a valid, non-suspended/non-revoked license issued by the Parking Authority; and (3) be employed to enforce parking rules on Contracted Property.

  • As a condition of licensure, each vendor must file a surety bond of no less than $250,000 with the City Treasurer's Office, recorded with the Hamilton County Register of Deeds.

  • Booting is only permitted on a Commercial Parking Lot or Contracted Property. It is not allowed on public streets, public rights-of-way, or publicly owned parking lots/garages.

  • Item descriptionIt is an offense to boot any motor vehicle that is clearly identifiable by: (A) a USDOT number issued by the FMCSA; (B) a registration plate on a motor vehicle under Tenn. Code Ann. §55-4-113(a)(2); or (C) a registration plate on a trailer under §55-4-113(a)(5). (§24-514(2))

  • Signs must be posted in conspicuous locations at each entrance and exit. They must be clearly visible and readable, state that unauthorized vehicles are subject to booting, include a 24/7 phone number for removal support, the vendor's license number, and notice that violations may be reported to the attorney general.

  • The device must be a self-releasing device — meaning the vehicle owner can remove it without third-party help, it releases automatically upon payment, accepts credit/debit card payment electronically, and provides clear written and visual removal instructions without damaging the vehicle.

  • The removal fee may not exceed the actual delinquent parking fees owed plus a vehicle immobilization device removal fee of no more than $75.00.

  • Yes. The initial non-payment ticketing fee is capped at the lot's maximum parking rate plus $25.00. Fee escalation over time is capped at no more than $20.00 above the initial fee. Daily parking on any Commercial Parking Lot may not exceed $18.00.

  • No fee may be charged to remove a vehicle immobilization device from any person who had paid to park and was improperly booted.

  • No. If a vehicle owner intentionally damages a boot device or fails to return it to a clearly designated on-site storage location, they may be subject to an additional fee of up to $100.00.

  • Any person injured by a violation may file a private right of action for injunctive relief and may recover actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorneys' fees against the Licensed Booting Operator or Vendor. They may also file a claim against the vendor's surety bond.

  • Consumers may file and track complaints against a Licensed Booting Operator or Licensed Parking Enforcement Vendor by contacting the Parking Authority at 1362 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402 or by calling (423) 629-1411.

  • Yes. Any license may be revoked or suspended by the Parking Authority for good cause, including violation of this chapter. Violations of licensing requirements or the Motion Act can result in immediate revocation.

  • Yes. The Parking Authority must timely investigate consumer complaints and provide quarterly reports of all such complaints to the Chattanooga City Council.