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Residential Permit Parking Program FAQs


What is Houston's Residential Permit Parking Ordinance?

Houston Residential Permit Parking Ordinance is intended to enhance the quality of life in neighborhoods experiencing chronic non-resident parking along their streets. It provides for the establishment of parking permit areas in residential neighborhoods with documented problems from parking that "spills over" from nearby nonresidential activity centers. If an area is designated a "decal-only" area, only residents with the proper decal on their vehicles will be allowed to park along the street during the designated times.

The ordinance provides a basis for residents to apply to the City for the designation of permit parking areas in Houston's neighborhoods. The application must include a signed petition that has been circulated to residents of the proposed area. Once the area is approved, residents will be able to purchase parking permits for their vehicles and their visitors' vehicles that would allow curbside parking. With a few exceptions, all other vehicles not displaying the proper permit for on-street parking will be subject to ticketing.

Completed Application
Due Date

Estimated Public
Hearing Date

March 1

April 28

June 1

July 21

September 1

October 20

December 1

January 26

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

How do I get permits for my block?
The process involves two parts: (1) applying for and becoming a residential parking permit area, and (2) applying for and receiving annual parking permits.

What areas are eligible to apply for a residential parking permit area?
Any residential block within city limits that has chronic commuter parking problems may apply for a permit area.

What is considered a chronic commuter parking problem?
A chronic commuter parking problem is the regular occupancy of curbside parking spaces by commuter vehicles at the same hours and same days. This does not include parking for events that occur on a frequency of less than once every two weeks.

What is a commuter vehicle?
A commuter vehicle is a non-resident vehicle parked in a residential area in which it is not registered with TXDOT.

What is considered a residential area?
Residential areas are streets with at least 75% front footage along the blockface with residential property. The ordinance defines the following as residential property: single-family homes, duplexes, and condominiums and apartment complexes with eight or fewer units.

What are the criteria considered in determining the approval of a permit area?

  • Evidence of resident support for proposed area.
  • Results from parking survey with the following information for the identified problem period (days and times):
    • The days and times of greatest commuter (non-resident) parking along the street.
    • 60% or more of on-street parking spaces are occupied.
    • 25% or more of on-street parking spaces are used by non-resident vehicles

Who initiates the process to designate a permit area?
Any resident of the block with a chronic commuter parking problem may initiate the process by completing an application and petition.

How does a resident obtain an application form?
The application, petition and brochure can be downloaded here www.houstontx.gov/parking/forms_and_applications.html. The petition should be signed by the occupant of the property. Property owners are not required to sign the petition. For duplexes or apartment buildings, a signature is needed from a resident of each unit.

Who must sign the petition?
Each residential address in the proposed permit area must be listed on the petition and its representative resident contacted to sign the petition regardless of support or non-support of the area.

Property owners are not required to sign the petition. For duplexes or apartment buildings, a signature is needed from each unit.

Where does a resident submit the application and petition form?
The application and petition should be submitted to:

City of Houston Parking Management Division
2020 McKinney
Houston, TX 77003

Keep copies for your records.

Once the application and petition are submitted, what are the next steps in designating a permit area?

  1. The Parking Management staff reviews the application and petition for completeness, verifying each residential address is listed, calculating residential support, and clarifying parking problem details and proposed regulations.
  2. The completed application and petition are forwarded to Public Works for review.
  3. Parking Management conducts a parking survey
  4. Parking Management Official conducts a public hearing. Notice to all addresses on the block is sent 15 days before hearing.
  5. Based on parking survey and hearing results, the Parking Official makes a recommendation to City Council.
  6. City Council decides on the application by motion.

Are holidays or special events exempt from these restrictions?
No. The ordinance instead provides for restrictions for "chronic" parking problems. Those problem days and times might coincide with holidays and special events.

Do the restrictions affect delivery, service, or emergency vehicles?
No. Marked delivery or service vehicles and emergency vehicles will be allowed to park curbside in permit parking areas.

Which residents must I contact if I apply for permit area designation?
lf you live on a street where the two facing blocks are residential, you need residents on both sides of the street to sign the petition that accompanies your application. A permit area on one side of a street is an option only if the facing block is non-residential.

Who can purchase permits?
Only current residents of designated permit areas can obtain resident and visitor parking permits.

How long are the permits valid?
Resident and visitor permits are valid for one year. To ensure permit holders live in the permit areas, residents must renew permits each year to continue on-street parking privileges during restricted periods.

What happens once the area is designated?
Residents of the block are notified by mail of the permit area designation, days and times of the regulations, and procedures to purchase permits from Parking Management. Enforcement begins 60 days after Council approval.

Which City departments are involved in the Residential Permit Parking Program?

  • Administration & Regulatory Affairs - Parking Management: coordinates the program and processes applications for permit areas; issues parking permits and enforces permit areas.
  • Public Works & Engineering Department - Traffic Engineering Branch: technical review and installation of signs.
  • For more information, e-mail: melonie.curry@houstontx.gov