Administrative modification of parking requirement.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 26-504
in effectSec. 26-504. - Administrative modification of parking requirement.
(a) The director is authorized to approve a reduction of up to five parking spaces for an existing use classification that proposes an alteration that meets the application requirements of this section. To qualify for an administrative modification under this section, the applicant shall:
(1) File an application in the form prescribed by the director;
(2) Pay the non-refundable fee set forth for this provision in the city fee schedule and all costs associated with the notice provisions of this section; and
(3) Provide documentation regarding the current and anticipated demand for parking spaces as a result of the alteration, including evidence or data in studies relating to the proposed use or unique parking characteristics of the use classification.
(b) Upon receipt of a complete application pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the director shall:
(1) Within five business days, post a copy of the application materials on the department website and maintain a copy of the application on the website until the director approves or denies the application;
(2) Give notice of the request by first class mail to neighboring property owners;
(3) Give notice of the request by electronic mail to the district council member in whose district use classification is located; and
(4) Give notice of the request by electronic mail to each neighborhood association registered with the department in whose area the use classification is located.
(c) The director shall establish a formal process for the community to submit comments to the department regarding the request. The comment period shall be not less than 30 days after the notice to neighboring property owners has been placed in the mail pursuant to this section. The director shall review the comments received prior to consideration of the administrative modification.
(d) The director shall approve a modification under this section only if the director finds that the modification meets all of the following criteria:
(1) The documentation supplied by the applicant supports the approval of a modification;
(2) The number of parking spaces is sufficient to meet the anticipated change in the demand for parking spaces as result of the alteration to the use classification;
(3) The approval of the modification is not likely to cause substantial harm or spillover parking into adjacent properties or streets within an 800-feet radius of the boundary of the property for which an administrative modification is requested;
(4) The modification is not likely to be injurious to public health, safety, and welfare; and
(5) The modification is consistent with the intent and general purposes of this article.
(e) On or before the 15th day after the close of the public comment period or the date of the most recent submittal of documentation by the applicant, whichever date is longer, the director shall inform the applicant, in writing, whether the director approved the modification.
(f) The director shall not grant at any time an administrative modification under this section to any use classification that was previously granted a variance pursuant to division 5 of this article.
(g) The maximum reduction in the number of parking spaces authorized under this section shall not exceed five parking spaces for any use classification.
(h) The director shall maintain a list of approved administrative modifications on the department website.
(Ord. No. 2017-151, § 11, 3-1-2017)
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_CH26PA_ARTVIIIOREPALO_DIV2REPASPBISP_S26-504ADMOPAREFetched: 10/26/2026