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Facilities and
Campus Services

Boot/Tow Program

Parking Compliance and Enforcement

Cornell’s parking compliance program ensures safe, accessible parking for all community members and visitors. To keep parking available, all drivers are expected to follow campus parking rules. Drivers or vehicle owners are responsible for any citations issued.

Cornell is authorized by New York State to enforce its parking regulations as outlined in the Rules and Regulations.

Boot Program

A “boot” is a wheel-locking device used to immobilize vehicles that meet any of the following criteria:

  • Three or more unpaid parking citations
  • Forged, altered, or unauthorized parking permits
  • Unpaid fines and fees totaling $200 or more

Transportation Services Representatives (TSRs) use license plate recognition (LPR) to identify vehicles in violation. A boot may be placed on a vehicle whether it is legally or illegally parked.

How to Remove a Boot

  1. Log in to the Parking Portal.
  2. Pay the $150 boot release fee and any outstanding fines.
  3. A Transportation Services representative will be dispatched to remove the boot.

Pay the $150 boot release fee within 24 hours of deployment and any pay outstanding fines to prevent future immobilization or towing of vehicle.

After the Boot Is Removed

  • Pay remaining citations at myparking.cornell.edu.
  • Cornell community members can use their NetID to access Bursar payment options.
  • To contest a boot or towing fee, submit a written appeal within 10 days of release.

Towing Policy

Cornell reserves the right to tow any vehicle parked in violation of university rules, including:

  • Vehicles in designated tow-away zones
  • Vehicles blocking access or creating safety hazards
  • Vehicles identified as Scofflaw or Habitual Parking Violators

Towing is performed by private contractors. Payments or disputes related to towing and storage must be made directly with the towing company.

Citation Policy

  • Full payment is required; partial payments are not accepted.
  • $10 late fee applies after 10 days of nonpayment.
  • Appeals must be submitted within 10 days of citation issuance.
  • Unpaid citations may result in:
    • Transfer to collections (additional fee applies)
    • Loss of parking or transit privileges
    • Vehicle immobilization or towing

For student vehicles, unpaid citations are transferred to the Bursar after 15 days.