Freeway towing.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 8-103
in effectSec. 8-103. - Freeway towing.
(a) Wrecked or stalled vehicle; traffic hazard. A wrecked or stalled vehicle on a freeway is a traffic hazard and a threat to public safety. Wrecked vehicles, regardless of location, or stalled vehicles in a moving lane shall be removed from a freeway at the earliest possible opportunity consistent with safety and proper police procedures. Stalled vehicles on a shoulder shall be removed as directed by a law enforcement officer.
(b) Police scene; law enforcement jurisdiction. A wrecked or stalled vehicle on a freeway shall constitute a police scene.
(c) Persons authorized. A wrecked or stalled vehicle may be towed from a freeway only by an auto wrecker operated by:
(1) A tow operator holding a contract to conduct Tow and Go freeway towing under section 8-127 of this Code;
(2) A PATSA tow operator called to a police scene on a freeway by a law enforcement officer; or
(3) A tow operator called by the vehicle owner of a wrecked or stalled vehicle who arrives at the location of such vehicle before the law enforcement officer in charge of the scene directs the removal of the vehicle, including but not limited to an auto wrecker operated by an automobile club, insurance company or other person having a contractual obligation to provide the vehicle owner with towing services.
(d) Except as provided in item (3) of subsection (c) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any auto wrecker not operated pursuant to items (1) or (2) of subsection (c) of this section to be present or remain at, or to tow any vehicle from, a freeway. It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution under this subsection that (i) the wrecker driver was acting under the direction of a law enforcement officer, (ii) the auto wrecker is a heavy-duty wrecker summoned to the scene by a law enforcement officer pursuant to section 8-123 or (iii) the auto wrecker is acting to provide a warning to oncoming traffic pursuant to section 8-118 of this Code.
(Ord. No. 05-1271, § 3, 9-22-05; Ord. No. 2021-753, § 3, 9-1-2021)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH8AUDEAUWR_ARTIIIAUWRSTYA_DIV1GE_S8-103FRTOFetched: 10/26/2026