Interchange of Service or Common use of Tracks, poles, etc.
Houston City Charter, art. II, § 5-A
in effectSection 5-A. - Interchange of Service or Common use of Tracks, poles, etc.
The City of Houston shall have the power by ordinance, to provide for the interchange of service or common use, by and between every person, firm, corporation, assignee, trustee or receiver, including the City of Houston, owning, using, operating or controlling any franchise or public utility in the City of Houston, over and of the lines, tracks or properties owned, held, maintained or operated by such person, firm, corporation, assignee, trustee or receiver under such franchise, and to have the power to enforce all ordinances passed hereunder by appropriate provisions, penal or otherwise, including the repeal and forfeiture of any of said franchises for non-compliance with the provisions of any ordinance or requirement passed under authority hereof.
By the term "interchange of service or common use" as herein used is meant, that any person, firm, corporation, assignee, trustee or receiver holding a franchise from the City for any public utility shall allow the use by the City of Houston, or any other person, firm, corporation, etc. owning, using, operating or controlling any franchise or public utility in the City of Houston upon the payment of a reasonable rental for such use of any of its poles, tracks, wires, conduits, electric current, right of way or other properties or equipment.
The City of Houston shall also provide such reasonable rates of charge and conditions of use as in its judgment may be meet and proper, and the City Council shall especially have the power to compel any railroad or terminal company, whether operated by steam, electricity or other power to allow any other terminal or railroad company or the City of Houston to use its tracks or physical property under such reasonable regulations as to time and manner of use and compensation therefor as the city council may fix. (Added by amendment October 15, 1913)
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=CH_ARTIICOGEPO_S5-AINSECOUSTRPOETFetched: 10/26/2026