towing defenseUnited States · Maryland (Baltimore City)Difficulty: Medium
Baltimore Boot Removal — 3-Citation Threshold Challenge
Baltimore City Code Art. 31 §40-25 authorizes immobilization (booting) only when a vehicle has 3 or more outstanding citations 30+ days past due. Where the city boots based on fewer than 3 valid citations (e.g., counting one paid, one dismissed, or one issued to a different plate) the boot is improper and fees are recoverable.
Legal basis
Baltimore City Code Art. 31 §40-25; §40-26 (release procedures); Md. Code, Transportation §26-305
Sample appeal wording
[DATE] Parking Authority of Baltimore City Director / Boot Adjudication RE: Demand for Refund of Boot Fee - Vehicle [PLATE] My vehicle was booted on [DATE]. I have paid the boot fee under protest. The boot was improper because I did not have 3 outstanding citations 30+ days past due as required by Baltimore City Code Art. 31 §40-25. PABC Claimed Citations: 1. #[NUMBER1] — Status: [paid on DATE / dismissed / wrong plate] 2. #[NUMBER2] — Status: [paid on DATE / dismissed / wrong plate] 3. #[NUMBER3] — Status: [issued less than 30 days before boot, not yet ripe] Fewer than 3 valid past-due citations existed, so booting eligibility was not met. Demand: 1. Refund of $[BOOT FEE] within 30 days 2. Reversal of any storage fees 3. Written confirmation of boot expungement Authority: Baltimore City Code Art. 31 §40-25(a); §40-26; Md. Code, Transp. §26-305. If refund is not issued, I will pursue the matter administratively and in District Court. Sincerely, [NAME]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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- Baltimore City Code Art. 31 §40-25
- Baltimore City Code Art. 31 §40-26
- Md. Code, Transportation §26-305