07/27/2026
-- Petoskey Approves Towing and Vehicle Immobilization for Unpaid Parking Tickets --
July 27, 2026 – At its last City Council meeting, Petoskey approved new enforcement options for vehicles with unpaid parking tickets.
Previously, the city relied primarily on citations, late fees, civil-infraction enforcement, and payment plans.
- What was approved -
• The city may tow or immobilize a vehicle once unpaid parking tickets tied to that vehicle total at least $100.
• The ordinance passed 4–1, with Councilmember Tina DeMoore casting the only no vote.
• City officials said more than $300,000 in parking tickets remains unpaid.
• Council also approved a 60-day late-fee reprieve. During that period, people can pay the original ticket amounts without accumulated late fees.
• The city will mail notices to people who owe $200 or more.
• The late-fee measure passed 5–0.
- How enforcement could work -
City staff presented a process that could include warning letters, vehicle immobilization, and towing.
DeMoore questioned why the proposed process used both $100 and $250 thresholds when the ordinance gives the city authority to act once the unpaid balance reaches $100.
Staff said the additional steps would give vehicle owners more notice and more opportunities to pay.
- The debate over vehicle boots -
DeMoore opposed the possibility of leaving a vehicle immobilized in a downtown parking space for up to 72 hours.
She argued that doing so would work against the city’s goal of keeping busy parking spaces available.
DeMoore called immobilization “ill advised” in a tourist town and said she would not support the ordinance if that option remained.
Other council members said a visible immobilization device could serve as a deterrent by encouraging people to pay parking fees and outstanding tickets.
City staff acknowledged that downtown parking spaces are especially valuable during the summer and said the city would not boot a vehicle during periods of heavy parking demand.
- Tourism and downtown parking -
The discussion also turned to paid parking and Petoskey’s image as a tourist destination.
Councilmember Joseph Nachtrab shared feedback from a man who organizes Northern Michigan golf trips and had recently brought a group of 24 people from Florida to the area.
Nachtrab said the group had a positive experience in Harbor Springs and specifically mentioned that it did not charge for parking.
Their feedback about Petoskey was different. Nachtrab said they questioned why the city charged for parking and commented that several downtown buildings were empty.
Mayor John Murphy responded that it was disappointing for the group to visit Petoskey and focus on something negative.
Murphy defended paid parking, saying the revenue helps pay for parking lots, repaving, curbs, and gutters. He also said parking fees encourage vehicles to move so other people can find spaces.
Murphy noted that paid parking is common in Michigan communities and questioned how someone who could pay for golf would be unable to use a credit card at a parking meter.
Nachtrab then told Murphy not to be so defensive.
“I’m just providing you some feedback,” Nachtrab said, adding that the golfers had enjoyed their dinner downtown and that he was simply passing along what they had told him.
Murphy responded that he considered it negative feedback and said he preferred to look at the positive side of life.
- What the late-fee reprieve means -
The 60-day reprieve could substantially reduce what some people owe.
City staff gave the example of a $25 ticket that had grown to $230 over several years. During the reprieve, that ticket could be resolved by paying the original $25.
The exact start and end dates of the 60-day period have not yet been confirmed.
