Decatur has set the maximum booting fee in privately owned parking lots at $75. The typical charge has been $90 to $100, and Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne said the lower fee’s comparable with City of Atlanta.
“It’s hard for me to speak in favor of the practice,” Menne said. “But we have to balance the rights of the property owners and businesses while also creating a positive environment for people eating and shopping downtown.”
Along with a lowered fee, the city is also requiring clearer signage. The name of the company doing the booting and the name of the parking lot’s owner must be on all signs. Also all booting operators must wear an identification badge.
Additionally, each sign must point out that even if you patronize a business associated with the lot you’ve parked in, when no longer attending that business or if you leave the lot altogether, even for a brief time, you’re subject to getting booted.
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