Definitions.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 38-1
in effectSec. 38-1. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) Major street. Any street within the city which:
a. Is a through or express street as designated by the city traffic engineer on the express street plan pursuant to section 45-39(a) of this Code; or
b. Has a traffic count of 10,000 motor vehicles or more per day over any railroad track intersecting it, where the total traffic count is the total of the number of vehicles crossing the railroad track from each direction per day.
(2) Person in charge. That physical person accompanying a train who is empowered to direct its operations.
(3) Principal officer or manager. The principal person in charge of all operations of a railroad company in the city.
(4) Railroad company. Any individual, partnership, association, corporation, trustee, receiver or other person that lays out, constructs, maintains or operates any railroad or operates any trains, engines or cars on a line of railway in the city.
(5) Switch train. Any train engaged solely in moving freight or passenger cars within the city from one railroad yard to another railroad yard, or in the same railroad yard, or in transferring railroad cars to and from the various switch tracks or spur tracks within the city. A switch train is distinguished from a through passenger or freight train operating intrastate or interstate into or through the city.
(Code 1968, § 39-1; Ord. No. 82-1854, § 1, 11-23-82; Ord. No. 90-635, § 79, 5-23-90; Ord. No. 93-514, § 57, 5-5-93)
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_CH38RA_S38-1DEFetched: 10/26/2026