Philly council considers ban on windshield 'barnacles' in private lots

Philadelphia city council member Cindy Bass is pushing to restrict the use of “barnacles”—devices suctioned to vehicle windshields that obstruct drivers’ vision—in private parking lots, following reports of abusive enforcement.

Proposal aims to curb predatory towing practices

The bill, introduced recently, would prohibit the deployment of these devices in situations where towing is already illegal under existing city ordinances. A 2017 ordinance prevents towing before a parking ticket is issued, a restriction Bass hopes to extend to barnacles, which effectively create an immediate impediment to leaving a parking space.

Residents have voiced concerns about questionable enforcement at some lots. Jerry Ehrlich, a Northern Liberties resident, recounted an incident where a woman found a barnacle on her windshield at a shopping plaza on North 4th Street. “She was upset,” Ehrlich said. “We called the police, and they told them to take the boot off because what they did was illegal.” He has witnessed similar situations at the plaza, noting instances of fluctuating fees—a driver with a company truck initially charged $250, later offered a reduced price if paid in cash.

“This is predatory towing,” Ehrlich stated. “You have one price here and then they’re asking a different price when you have the boot on the car.”

While property owners’ concerns about unauthorized vehicles are understood, the tactic has drawn criticism. Yauheni Marchamka, visiting from out of town, acknowledged the property owner’s rights but questioned the aggressive approach. “I think you should respect the owner’s private property,” he said. “But at the same time, I don’t think you should have been that rough on people for a five- or 10-minute delay.”

If approved, Bass’s bill would levy a $1,000 fine on violators. The proposal seeks to balance property rights with fair treatment of drivers navigating private parking.

Signs at the affected lots warn of private property status and associated fees, though barnacles haven’t been readily visible lately. The debate highlights a growing tension between property owners seeking to control access and drivers facing increasingly complex parking regulations.