Maintenance and display.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 40-454
in effectSec. 40-454. - Maintenance and display.
(a) Any newsrack requiring a permit under this article shall:
(1) Be in a neat and clean condition and in good repair at all times, i.e., reasonably free of dirt and grease; no chipped, faded, peeling, or cracked paint; no rust and corrosion; no broken or cracked plastic or glass parts; and no broken structural parts.
(2) Be constructed, installed, and maintained in a safe and secure condition.
(3) Be made of solid material on all sides; no wire or other open form of newsrack will be permitted.
(4) Be kept free of graffiti.
(5) Be painted or covered with a protective coating, so as to keep it free from rust and graffiti, and shall be cleaned and repaired on a regular basis.
(6) Other than the display of the publication contained therein, not display or be affixed with any words or pictures, except for identifying information and coin return information as required herein; however, the front and back of each newsrack may be affixed with a single sign or decal, no larger than 15 inches by 17 inches, containing only the information relating to the display, sale or distribution of the publication contained in the newsrack.
(7) Be affixed with identifying information, which shall contain the name, address and telephone number of the newsrack owner and of the distributor of the publication contained therein. Such information shall be placed in a visible location on the front of the newsrack, and shall be legible. The size of the identifying information shall be no larger than three inches by five inches.
(8) Be affixed with one face plate, no larger that four inches by seven inches, on the front or top of the newsrack near the coin-operated mechanism, if applicable, containing only the information indicating the publication(s price(s) and the acceptable coin combinations or indicating that the publication is free of charge.
(b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, any coin-operated newsrack requiring a permit under this article shall:
(1) Be equipped with a coin-return device that is maintained in good repair and working order.
(2) Display information on how to secure a refund in the event of coin return malfunction. Such information shall be placed in a visible location on the front or top of the newsrack, shall be legible, and no larger than three inches by five inches.
(Ord. No. 07-225, § 7, 2-14-07)
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_CH40STSI_ARTXXNE_S40-454MADIFetched: 10/26/2026