There's a parking lot in Central Austin that boots every single car that parks there. It's at 2718 Guadalupe Street near the University of Texas at Austin campus.
The small, triangular shaped lot sits at the corner of Guadalupe and 28th Street only has a handful of spots. Peter Brown thought he was lucky when he pulled in May 12.
"I pulled up, I got out, I went to go get a sandwich, I came back and there was a boot... And then it's 150 bucks cash or credit or you're getting towed... I had to call a friend to come down and give me $150 cash embarrassingly enough," said Brown.
That embarrassment turned to anger when Brown learned the businesses next to the parking lot weren't leasing it. Meaning their customers aren't legally allowed to park there. The owner of the Japanese restaurant, Daito, said it just got too expensive.
There are several signs up around. One read, "No Parking Anytime, no Daito or Love Goat parking, towing and booting enforced."Right next to it, another sign that read "Towing and Booting Enforced 2718 Guadalupe St. Lot, Customer Parking Only."
Brown said that's confusing.
"I guess I'm supposed to know from this on the side of the Japanese restaurant, that this address, 2718 is the empty lot. For the customers of this parking lot... So I don't know what I'm buying here at the empty lot. Nothing seems to be on sale here," said Brown.
Brown filed a complaint with APD. Detective Tom Ballard said they've gotten a handful of them about this parking lot.
"All having to do with the booting. The majority getting written up as disturbance calls because there's nothing really illegal," said Ballard.
Detective Ballard said the property owner is following all the rules. But he understood Brown's frustration.
"It is somewhat misleading, I will give you that especially on these customer parking on it when all you're looking at is a parking lot attached to no business," said Ballard.
Brown says he's learned his lesson. From now on, he plans on reading every single sign before parking his car.
We reached out to the property owner and he told KVUE that he's not making any money from the booting or from any rent from businesses.
Police said you can always take your case to JP court. If the judge sides with you, you could get some of your money back.
KVUE also reached out to Republic Parking Enforcement, the company hired to monitor the parking lot. A dispatcher told KVUE that in the past several months, they have booted 50-60 cars at 2718 Guadalupe Street.