Proposed Ordinance Feedback
Proposed Ordinance Feedback
The City of Houston is proposing the following ordinance(s) below. We invite you to comment on the ordinance(s) by clicking the link(s) to read the proposed language and submit your comments online.
- No Texting While Driving
- There is a high incidence of Houston drivers using wireless communication devices for texting while operating motor vehicles upon public roadways. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, drivers who text message while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash, near crash or a crash relevant conflict than those driving while not distracted. To combat this problem the city is considering a ban on texting while driving in Houston. This proposed ordinance is to be considered by City Council in the event the state legislature does not pass a statewide ban.
- Vulnerable Road User
- By law, bicyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users are allowed to use the roadway under certain circumstances in Texas, but these users do not have the same physical protection as conventional motorists and are at a greater risk of injury or death in connection with use of the roadway. The proposed ordinance is dedicated to ensuring that the City’s streets are safe for vulnerable road users.
- Residential Buffer Ordinance (Mechanical Equipment Noise)
- City Council adopted the Residential Buffer Ordinance in 2011 related to location and buffering of high rise buildings.
- Questions were raised about noise from mechanical equipment adjacent to single family residential properties. This summary and amendment to the construction code address this issue.
- Proposed Utility Billing Improvements (Chapter 47)
- The City of Houston water and wastewater utility sends 440,000 bills to its customers each month. Sometimes, customers receive an unusually large bill. Perhaps they have an unknown water leak or some other problem that has caused the consumption of more water than usual. The City Legal Department and Department of Public Works and Engineering are proposing amendments to Chapter 47 that would expand the circumstances under which bill adjustments are allowed. The proposed revisions would:
- Add an additional exceptional circumstance adjustment for some customer classes
- Establish a Water Review Board to provide an additional level of review for customer issues.
- The City of Houston water and wastewater utility sends 440,000 bills to its customers each month. Sometimes, customers receive an unusually large bill. Perhaps they have an unknown water leak or some other problem that has caused the consumption of more water than usual. The City Legal Department and Department of Public Works and Engineering are proposing amendments to Chapter 47 that would expand the circumstances under which bill adjustments are allowed. The proposed revisions would:
- Payday Loans (Chapter 28)
- The lending practices employed by various credit access businesses, commonly referred to as payday loan or title loan institutions, are currently subject to only limited state regulations.
- Because of such limited regulation and in spite of borrower’s best intentions, there are those that suffer financial setbacks after they obtain credit and have difficulty repaying their financial obligations. Proposed changes to Chapter 28 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances would establish minimum business practices for these institutions in hopes of substantially curtailing the likelihood of borrowers becoming trapped in a cycle of debt.
- Mobile Food Units (MFU)
- At this time, there is no date set for City Council consideration of these changes. There are four key changes. One change affects Downtown Houston. The other changes are citywide. The downtown change would allow MFUs to use up to a 40lb propane tank for their food service. There are three changes that would apply citywide:
- Allow MFUs to be within 60 feet of one another (if there are more than 4 MFUs next to each other, a standby fire marshal must be present)
- Allow MFUs to be within 100 feet of existing outdoor tables and chairs
- Allow MFUs to place up to 3 tables and 6 chairs in front of their units when in service
- At this time, there is no date set for City Council consideration of these changes. There are four key changes. One change affects Downtown Houston. The other changes are citywide. The downtown change would allow MFUs to use up to a 40lb propane tank for their food service. There are three changes that would apply citywide:
- Chapter 42 Amendments
- The Planning & Development Department presents amendments to Chapter 42 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. These amendments attempt to balance the needs of protecting neighborhoods and encouraging redevelopment in order to position Houston for continued growth and change. Specifically, these amendments will:
- Make the City more competitive with the extraterritorial jurisdiction;
- Improve development standards that lead to a better quality built product;
- Provide additional resources for neighborhoods to manage their future; and
- Eliminate confusion/discrepancies with the existing code.
- The Planning & Development Department presents amendments to Chapter 42 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. These amendments attempt to balance the needs of protecting neighborhoods and encouraging redevelopment in order to position Houston for continued growth and change. Specifically, these amendments will: