Columbia Immobilization of vehicles for outstanding parking tickets ordinance (§ 14-312)
Chapter 14: Motor Vehicles and Traffic · Article V. Stopping, Standing and Parking
In short: The city may put an immobilization device ("boot") on a vehicle with four or more unpaid parking tickets, or one tied to a failure-to-appear warrant on a parking case. Owners have 72 hours to pay the tickets or post a cash or surety bond before the vehicle can be towed. Driving a booted vehicle is a violation.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) A vehicle may be immobilized by means of an immobilization device if:
(1) There are four (4) or more parking tickets issued against the vehicle that remain unpaid; or (2)
There has been no appearance or plea made by a party with a valid interest in the vehicle cited for a violation of the parking ordinances contained within this code after having been duly summoned by the judge of the municipal court and for which a warrant for failure to appear has been issued.
An "immobilization device" is a device that can be attached to a motor vehicle to prevent it from being driven. It is a violation of this Code to operate a vehicle secured with an immobilization device.
(b) Immobilization by means of an immobilization device shall be subject to the following:
(1) No vehicle shall be immobilized unless the vehicle is found on a public street, public parking garage or public parking lot.
(2) No vehicle shall be immobilized within the traveled portion of any street or portion of any street or sidewalk when the immobilization would create a hazard.
(3) If the registered owner or operator of the vehicle fails to pay the outstanding parking tickets or fails to post a cash or surety bond for all unresolved parking tickets within seventy-two (72) hours of installation of an immobilization device, the city may have the vehicle towed to a place of impoundment.
(4) Whenever a vehicle has been immobilized by means of an immobilization device, a notice shall be placed on the vehicle stating the time and date the immobilization device was placed on the vehicle, and briefly describing the means of securing removal of the immobilization device within the seventytwo-hour period.
(c) The registered owner or operator of an immobilized vehicle may secure removal of the immobilization device within the seventy-two-hour period either by payment of all outstanding parking tickets or by posting a cash or surety bond for all unresolved parking tickets.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 14-312
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.