New parking rules take effect today

Starting today, Columbia drivers with multiple parking tickets will receive notices before their vehicles are towed and impounded by the city.

The new rules were approved by the Columbia City Council in October. The towing notices, which will be bright green and 6 inches by 3 inches, will be placed on vehicles at least 24 hours before they are towed.

Illegally parked vehicles are subject to towing when the owner already has at least four or more unpaid parking tickets that have remained unpaid for at least 15 days.

The notices will include information on how to pay tickets and how to contest them in Municipal Court.