Definitions.

Houston Code of Ordinances § 28-302

in effect

Sec. 28-302. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Blockface means that portion of a block that abuts a street between two intersecting streets, or between an intersecting street and the termination of the street. Civic club means an association, whether or not incorporated, that encompasses a residential area and that, by means of action or efforts by such association or its membership, actively seeks to promote or protect the interests of the area as a separate or identifiable neighborhood or community. At a minimum, a civic club shall have or maintain a name related to or identifying its connection to a residential area, a membership list, a slate of officers, whether paid or volunteers, and a means of communicating with owners of residences in the area on issues or matters of interest to that residential area. Director means the director of the department of planning and development or his designee. Front yard means an area extending the full width of an improved single family lot between its side property lines, the front property lot line and a line that is an extension of the front line of the residential structure located on a lot, excluding a driveway. The front yard of a corner lot shall be determined by the street address of the residence located on such lot. Homeowners association has the meaning ascribed in section 47-601 of this Code. Improved surface means an area, excluding a driveway, the surface of which is comprised of selected materials constructed to a depth sufficient to distribute the weight of a vehicle or equipment over such area to preclude deterioration and deflection of the area due to vehicle or equipment load, adverse weather, or other conditions. Examples of materials with which an improved surface might be constructed include asphalt, concrete, permeable pavement, or other materials approved by the Director of Houston Public Works or his designee. Lot means contiguous land under common ownership, as shown on the most recently approved ad valorem tax rolls of the city, that is used or developed as a unit for residential or nonresidential uses, regardless of whether the land consists of a platted lot or a portion of a platted lot or a combination thereof. Two or more platted lots that have been combined in their entireties as a single building site shall not constitute a single lot for purposes of an application or petition filed pursuant to this article. Park has the meaning ascribed in section 26-2 of this Code. Owner means the owner of a single-family residential lot in a residential area that seeks the application of this section to such residential area, as such ownership is reflected in the records of the Harris County Appraisal District at the time of the filing of an application or petition as defined in this article. Residential area means an area in which not less than 60% of the lots are developed and used for single-family residential structures and purposes. Side yard means an area of an improved single-family lot circumscribed by a line parallel to and extending along the side of a residential structure located on the lot which line is joined at right angles by lines parallel to and that extend along the front and rear lines of the residential structure on the lot to the side property line of the lot, excluding a driveway. Single-family residential has the meaning ascribed in section 42-1 of this Code. Vehicle or equipment means and includes any house trailer, mobile home, motor vehicle, truck, passenger motor vehicle, motor home, camper cabin, motorcycle, trailer, boat, farm machinery or similar equipment or any truck with more than two axles or any trailer, mobile home or motor home with a length exceeding 20 feet. (Ord. No. 09-59, § 2, 1-28-09; Ord. No. 2018-11, § 49, 1-10-2018)

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_CH28MIOFPR_ARTXPAVEREPR_S28-302DEFetched: 10/26/2026