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STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING GENERALLY

Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 45, art. VI
in effect

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-111 Sitting, standing, and walking in certain areas prohibited.

Sec. 45-111. - Sitting, standing, and walking in certain areas prohibited. (a) Except as otherwise permitted by law, a person commits an offense if the person sits, stands or walks on a median strip that measures six feet or less in width or in areas between divided roadways where no median strip exists. (b) This section does not apply if the person: (1) is crossing a divided roadway in the most direct route possible; (2) is the victim of or rendering aid in an emergency situation or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer; (3) is performing work in the right-of-way in accordance with a permit issued under another section of this Code; or (4) has prior authorization from the city or is otherwise in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. (Ord. No. 2025-755, § 2, 8-27-2025)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-113 Parking or standing on left side of one-way roadway.

Sec. 45-113. - Parking or standing on left side of one-way roadway. If a street or highway includes two or more separate roadways and traffic is restricted to one direction upon any such roadway, the traffic engineer is authorized to determine when standing or parking may be permitted upon the left-hand side of any such one-way roadway and to direct that signs be erected giving notice thereof. (Code 1968, § 46-125; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-114 Cut-back curb sections for parking—Consent required to cut curb.

Sec. 45-114. - Cut-back curb sections for parking—Consent required to cut curb. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to cut back any curb in front of any place or establishment for the purpose of providing individual parking space or parking space for the use of customers of such person without the consent of the director. (b) The director shall notify the appropriate district council members and all at large council members in writing of such requests to cut back a curb within their districts within 14 days of application (Code 1968, § 46-126; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07; Ord. No. 2013-110, § 2, 2-6-2013)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-115 Same—Method of parking.

Sec. 45-115. - Same—Method of parking. (a) As approved by the traffic engineer, parking may be at an angle to the curb. (b) The traffic engineer is authorized to prohibit angle parking when, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, it is determined that such practice is hazardous or dangerous to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (c) The traffic engineer shall notify the appropriate district council members and all at large council members in writing of such requests for angle parking within their districts within 14 days of application. (Code 1968, § 46-127; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07; Ord. No. 2013-110, § 2, 2-6-2013)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-117 Parking on narrow streets.

Sec. 45-117. - Parking on narrow streets. The traffic engineer is hereby authorized to designate a no parking zone upon any street when the width of the roadway does not exceed 20 feet, or upon one side of a street as indicated by appropriate signs, when the width of the roadway does not exceed 30 feet. The traffic engineer and the parking official, as authorized by the traffic engineer, are hereby authorized to erect and maintain signs indicating no parking upon any street within a no parking zone designated by the traffic engineer. (Code 1968, § 46-129; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-118 Parking adjacent to schools.

Sec. 45-118. - Parking adjacent to schools. The traffic engineer is hereby authorized to designate a no parking zone upon either or both sides of any street adjacent to any school property when such parking would, in his opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation. The traffic engineer and the parking official, as authorized by the traffic engineer, are hereby authorized to erect and maintain signs indicating no parking upon any street within a no parking zone designated by the traffic engineer. (Code 1968, § 46-130; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-119 Stopping, standing or parking near hazardous or congested places.

Sec. 45-119. - Stopping, standing or parking near hazardous or congested places. The traffic engineer is hereby authorized to designate a no parking zone upon any street where the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles would create an especially hazardous condition or would cause unusual delay to traffic. The traffic engineer and the parking official, as authorized by the traffic engineer, are hereby authorized to erect and maintain signs indicating no parking upon any street within a no parking zone designated by the traffic engineer. (Code 1968, § 46-131; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-125 Designation of curb loading zones.

Sec. 45-125. - Designation of curb loading zones. The traffic engineer is hereby authorized to determine the location of curb loading zones and traffic engineer shall place and maintain appropriate signs indicating the same and stating the hours during which the provisions of this section are applicable. (Code 1968, § 46-138; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-128 Parking areas for persons with disabilities.

Sec. 45-128. - Parking areas for persons with disabilities. (a) The traffic engineer is hereby authorized and directed, pursuant to the provisions and procedures of sections 45-5 through 45-7 of this Code and Chapter 681 of the Texas Transportation Code, to designate and establish spaces on the streets of the city and on any property owned or controlled by the city, and the owner or person in control of any other private or public property may similarly designate and establish spaces thereon, for the exclusive use as parking spaces or parking areas for vehicles transporting persons with disabilities. Such spaces shall be marked with signs in the manner provided by law. (b) The traffic engineer shall cause the various parking spaces for the exclusive use of vehicles transporting persons with disabilities that are established on the public streets to additionally be marked and designated as tow-away zones. Any vehicle parked in such a marked tow-away zone parking space that does not display a placard or plate with the international symbol of access issued in a form prescribed by the Texas Department of Transportation (or an equivalent symbol issued by another state if the vehicle is not registered in Texas) shall be subject to towing and impoundment by authority of any police officer of the city in the manner provided in this Code. (Code 1968, § 46-140.1; Ord. No. 80-3073, § 2, 10-22-80; Ord. No. 89-669, §§ 1, 2, 5-10-89; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-129 Public carrier stops and zones generally.

Sec. 45-129. - Public carrier stops and zones generally. (a) The traffic engineer is hereby authorized and required to establish bus stops, bus zones, and zones for other passenger common-carrier motor vehicles on such public streets in such places and in such number as he shall determine to be of the greatest benefit and convenience to the public, and every such bus stop, bus zone, or other zone shall be designated by appropriate signs. (b) The traffic engineer is hereby authorized and directed, pursuant to the procedures of sections 45-5 and 45-7 of this Code, to establish traffic lanes for the exclusive use of passenger buses during specified hours and days. When such lanes are designated by traffic markings and signs, such lanes shall be deemed to have been established in accordance with this subsection and any person operating a motor vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle therein during prohibited times, other than crossing said lanes at intersections, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined as provided in section 1-6 of this Code. (Code 1968, § 46-141; Ord. No. 75-825, § 1, 5-20-75; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-130 Taxi zones.

Sec. 45-130. - Taxi zones. (a) The traffic engineer and his authorized assistants, in consultation with the parking official, are authorized and directed to designate spaces on the streets of the city for the exclusive use as taxi zones and to mark the same with appropriate signs and to install standard signs to indicate the location of such zones, such locations to be determined after traffic engineering surveys, studies and conclusions. (b) Taxi zones shall be designated at or near entrances to principal hotels and passenger depots, such as bus depots, passenger train depots, and airports. Such zones shall be designated by the traffic engineer. (c) No portion of any street in the city shall be used as a taxi zone other than the ones prescribed as such by ordinance, unless such taxi zone is approved as such by the traffic engineer in consultation with the parking official. Any person establishing a taxi zone in violation of this provision and any person driving a taxicab who uses any such taxi zone established in violation of this provision shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. (Code 1968, § 46-142; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-131 Standing and parking of buses.

Sec. 45-131. - Standing and parking of buses. (a) The operator of a bus shall not stand or park such vehicle upon any street at any place other than a bus stop or bus zone designated as provided in this article. (b) The operator of a bus shall not stop such vehicle upon any street at any place for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or their baggage, other than at a bus stop or bus zone designated as provided in this article, except in case of an emergency. (c) The operator of a bus shall enter a bus stop or bus zone on a public street in such a manner that the bus, when stopped to load or unload passengers or baggage, shall be in a position with the right front wheel of such vehicle not further than 18 inches from the curb, with the bus approximately parallel to the curb so as not to unduly impede the movement of other vehicular traffic. (Code 1968, § 46-143; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-132 Standing or parking of taxicabs.

Sec. 45-132. - Standing or parking of taxicabs. (a) The operator of a taxicab which is in-service shall not stand or park such vehicle upon any street at any place other than in a taxi zone designated as provided in this article, and in no case shall the operator of an in-service taxicab leave his vehicle while it is parked at a taxi zone. This provision shall not prevent the operator of a taxicab from temporarily stopping at any place in accordance with other stopping or parking regulations for the purpose of and while engaged in the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers. (b) The operator of any taxicab which is out-of-service shall park his vehicle in conformity with the provisions of this article and article II of chapter 26 of this Code relating to the parking and standing of motor vehicles generally. In no case shall the operator of a taxicab which is out-of-service park at a taxi zone. (c) No driver shall load or unload passengers while his vehicle is out-of-service. (d) The number of taxicabs occupying a taxi zone shall not exceed the number designated on the official sign establishing such zone. (e) As used in this section, a taxicab is "out-of-service" whenever a sign reading "taxi is out-of-service" is affixed to the visor of such taxicab so as to be visible from the outside of the taxicab. Lettering for such a sign shall be at least one-and-a half inches high. A taxicab is "in-service" whenever it is not "out-of-service" in accordance with the foregoing definition. (Code 1968, § 46-144; Ord. No. 83-894, § 1, 6-14-83; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07; Ord. No. 09-2, § 22, 1-7-09)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-136 Establishment of "tow-away" zones.

Sec. 45-136. - Establishment of "tow-away" zones. The traffic engineer is hereby authorized to establish "tow-away zones" in conjunction with no-parking regulations upon any street of the city, and for whatever times his study of such streets shows that an illegally parked vehicle would cause an undue hazard or delay to moving traffic. The traffic engineer and the parking official, as authorized by the traffic engineer, are hereby authorized to erect and maintain signs indicating a tow-away zones upon any street within a tow-away zone established by the traffic engineer. (Code 1968, § 46-149; Ord. No. 68-1965, § 1, 12-11-68; Ord. No. 79-1339, § 1, 7-5-78; Ord. No. 79-1214, § 3, 7-25-79; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-138 Assimilated offenses.

Sec. 45-138. - Assimilated offenses. The elements of those various offenses that are set forth in Subtitles C and H of Title 7 of the Texas Transportation Code that relate to the parking and stopping of vehicles, including any amendments thereto, are adopted as a part of this article by reference. Violations of any of the aforesaid provisions that are adopted by reference shall also constitute city ordinance violations and may be adjudicated as provided in article IV of chapter 16 of this Code. (Ord. No. 95-186, § 2, 2-22-95; Ord. No. 07-464, § 17(Exh. D), 4-11-07)
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_CH45TR_ARTVISTSTPAGEFetched: 10/26/2026

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