If you happen to operate a private parking lot in downtown Houston, bad times are a-brewing.

City Council is considering an amendment to chapter 26 of the city's Code of Ordinances this week that has the potential to increase your cost of doing business. If the amendment is passed, owners will be responsible for providing parking receipts (something that apparently isn't going on much) by either installing automated gates and ticket machines or hiring attendants, The Houston Chronicle reports.

Other regulations include having to block entrances during non-business hours, provide rate and hours signage and make sure the place looks pretty (i.e. no graffiti, weeds, or litter).

Council also plans to crack down on the way booting and towing are regulated. Right now, cars can be booted or towed even if a parking receipt has not been issued, which has produced a bevy of complaints from incapacitated drivers. However, the majority of said booting is done by an Atlanta-based company, which means less booting business for Mom and Pop Houston.

And--surprise, surprise-- local towing companies are downright pleased with the measure, mostly because their booting brethren (ahem, competition) are currently unregulated, something the amendment also seeks to fix through various regulations including a fee cap and employee attire.

If the amendment passes, try to get your fill of downtown parking within the next six months. The city plans to implement the new regulations by March.