> ParkHouston > Frequently Asked Questions
ParkHouston
Frequently Asked Questions
Parking Citations
- How do I pay my citation online?
- How can I contest my citation?
- What if I am dissatisfied with the hearing officer's decision?
- I received a parking violation notice in the mail for a vehicle I no longer own. How do I update the ownership?
- Why can't I park anywhere in my own community?
- Where can I find a list of all parking violations?
- I received an email or a text asking me to pay a parking citations
Parking Meters
- When are parking meters enforced?
- Why can't I feed the meter to continue parking in a space beyond the posted time limits (overtime parking)?
- Where can I report a nonfunctioning meter?
- Can I legally park at a nonfunctioning meter?
- Can I park at a bagged meter?
Permits
- How can I obtain a residential permit?
- What is the fine for parking in a Residential Parking Permit area without a valid permit?
- How do I request a meter bagging permit?
- I parked my vehicle in a non-City owned parking lot and it’s been booted? What do I do?
- What is a commercial vehicle loading / unloading zone (CVLZ)?
Disabled Parking
- I forgot to hang my disabled parking placard and I received a citation. What do I do?
- I have a disabled parking placard or license plate; can I park free at a meter?
Towing and Booting
- My car was towed. How do I locate it?
- I do not think my car was properly towed. Is there anything I can do?
- What is a boot?
- How does a vehicle get "booted"?
- What are the boot fees?
- I received a notice that my vehicle is "boot-eligible." What do I do?
- My car was booted. What do I do now?
- What is a boot hearing?
Customer Service
- What are your office hours?
- How can I send you an email?
- Where is your office located?
- Where can I park?
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about parking.
- For fee schedules, go to www.houstoncityfees.org
Parking Citations
Question: How do I pay my citation?
Answer: It's easy! Have your citation number and credit card handy, and go to: Pay Your Citation via the Online Service Center. For additional payment methods, go to the Resolve a Citation page.
Question: How can I contest my citation?
Answer: You have 30 days from the date the citation was issued to contest your citation. If the citation prefix is P or V and it is not in the system, email a copy to parking@houstontx.gov for data entry and a customer service rep will let you know when it is available online. You can contest your citation online at: https://houstonparking.t2hosted.com/Account/Portal. You may contest in person at the Parking Adjudication Office, 1400 Lubbock , Mon. – Fri., between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. or Saturday, 8:00 am to 5 p.m. Appointments aren't necessary, all hearings are held on a first-come, first-served basis. Hearings are only held at Municipal Courts. Citations cannot be contested at the ParkHouston office.
An online hearing is an official hearing and the results are binding. All evidence and testimony is required to be provided when the hearing is submitted. There will not be an additional opportunity to provide additional evidence and testimony.
Question: What if I am dissatisfied with the hearing officer's decision?
Answer: You can appeal to the Municipal Court by filing a petition no later than the 30th day after the filing of the hearing officer's order.
The petition must be filed with the ParkHouston Cashier at the Municipal Court, 1400 Lubbock. You must pay the fine for each parking citation(s), and an administrative fee for each parking citation appealed. If the appeal is successful, the fines and fees are refunded.
Question: I received a parking violation notice in the mail for a vehicle I no longer own. How do I update the ownership?
To view, please complete and email to parking@houstontx.gov or mail to ParkHouston at P.O. Box 4997, Houston, TX, 77210-4997.
This form below cannot be saved to your computer.
Answer: Please fill out the Declaration of Non Ownership Form and mail to: ParkHouston, P.O. Box 4997, Houston, TX, 77210-4997. Please also fill out this form: Texas Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification form to ensure files are updated with the Texas Department of Transportation.
Question: Why can't I park anywhere in my own community?
Answer: ParkHouston enforces parking regulations to ensure the safety of our citizens. Yes, citations do generate revenue, but the restrictions are enforced for the benefit of safety. For instance, vehicles parked on both sides of "skinny" streets make it extremely difficult for large emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances to pass through. ParkHouston must enforce restrictions, such as 'No Parking Zones,' in some communities to make way for these vehicles.
Question: Where can I find a list of all parking violations?
Answer: Click Parking Regulations and Violations. You can also view the City of Houston parking ordinances Chapter 26 at: www.houstontx.gov/codes.
Question: I received an email or a text asking me to pay a parking citations
Answer: ParkHouston has not authorized anyone to use this method to collect parking citation payments. If you receive this type of communication, please forward to parking@Houstontx.gov. You can call 832.393.8690 for additional assistance.
Parking Meters
Question: When are parking meters enforced?
Answer: Parking meters are enforced Monday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except where pay station or posted signs indicate otherwise. Parking meters are not enforced on Official City Holidays.
Question: Why can't I feed the meter to continue parking in a space beyond the posted time limits (overtime parking)?
Answer: Curbside parking is the most convenient parking available for visitors and patrons in a business district. Time limits are enforced to encourage turnover of these parking spaces and leave them open for drivers requiring short-term parking.
Parkers requiring long-term parking are encouraged to park off-street in a surface lot or garage.
When time limits are not enforced, spaces tend to be taken by employees who keep the spaces busy for eight to 10 hours per day. This creates a lack of parking for short-term visitors and they are forced to use parking spaces that may not be located close to their final destination. The lack of convenient parking also encourages some drivers to circle locations diminishing the air quality as they search for an available curbside space.
Moving long-term parkers into off-street parking allows patrons to enjoy convenient parking while visiting area attractions.
Parking time-limits vary depending on the business type within the vicinity. Downtown Houston has time limits ranging from 30 minutes for loading zones to two to four hours in other areas. Blocks on the outskirts of downtown have time limits which extend to 10 hours.
Question: Where can I report a nonfunctioning meter?
Answer: Visit the Service Request Portal or call 3-1-1 (inside City limits) or 713.837.0311 (outside City limits). You may also send an e-mail to parking@houstontx.gov.
Question: Can I legally park at a nonfunctioning meter?
Answer: According to City Ordinance, parkers may receive a citation while parked at a non-functioning meter. We encourage public parkers to report non-functioning meters as soon as possible with the exact location and meter number.
Question: Can I park at a bagged meter?
Answer: Red-bagged meters are reserved at all times for the permit holder’s vehicles. Parking is permitted at blue-bagged meters. Payment can be made by app or at another meter.
Permits
Question: How can I obtain a residential permit?
Answer: Simply fill out the Residential Permit Form and return, along with payment, to:
ParkHouston / P.O. Box 4997 / Houston, TX, 77210-4997
- The maximum number of permits per household is equal to the number of vehicles registered to that address.
- The number of visitor hangtags is limited per address. Please contact customer service at 832.395.9487 or parking@houstontx.gov for assistance.
Question: What is the fine for parking in a Residential Parking Permit area without a valid permit?
Answer: Vehicles parked in a Residential Permit area without a valid permit are subject to citation. The violation fine is $70. If the vehicle is towed, additional towing and storage fees will apply. For a complete list of parking fines, see www.houstontx.gov/parking/violationcodes.html.
Question: How do I request a meter bagging permit?
Answer: Meter bagging permits are issued for construction, film/photo productions and special events. Commercial loading/unloading zone meters are not available for rent. In addition, if parking restrictions exist on the meter(s) you have rented, these restrictions still must be followed.
For example, Louisiana Street has mobility restrictions from 7 - 9 a.m. and 4 - 6 p.m., Mon. - Fri. Even though you have rented the meter for the entire day, parking is not allowed at the meter during these hours. If restrictions are not followed, vehicles will be subject to a parking citation.
Please complete the Meter Bagging Permit Application and email to parking@houstontx.gov or mail to ParkHouston at 2020 McKinney, Houston, TX, 77003.
Question: I parked my vehicle in a non-City owned parking lot and it’s been booted? What do I do?
Answer: If you paid to park in the lot and can provide a copy of your receipt, the lot owner must release your vehicle, but an administrative fee may be charged. If you cannot provide proof of payment for the parking, you may be charged up to $100 plus the parking fees to remove the boot. If you feel you were unfairly booted, you may request a boot hearing in the Harris County Justice of the Peace Court.
- For fee schedules, go to www.houstoncityfees.org
If you would like to report unfair business practices of a booting operator, please contact the Police Department’s Auto Dealers Detail at 713.308.1440.
Question: What is a commercial vehicle loading / unloading zone (CVLZ)?
Answer: City Ordinance requires only commercial vehicles can park in a CVLZ. The vehicle must display a valid or pay the designated parking meter for a fee.
To view, please email to parking@houstontx.gov or mail to ParkHouston at 2020 McKinney, Houston, TX, 77003.
Disabled Parking
Question: I forgot to hang my disabled parking placard and I received a citation. What do I do?
Answer: Within 30 days of the citation issue date, you can you can contest the parking citation online or in person. You must provide a copy of a valid disabled parking placard and ID.
If you reside outside of Harris County, you can mail or email your testimony and evidence to ParkHouston.
ParkHouston / 2020 McKinney / Houston, TX, 77003
Email: parking@houstontx.gov
Question: I have a disabled parking placard or license plate; can I park free at a meter?
Answer: Yes, you can park free for the time limit posted at the meter. After the time limit, you must move your car.
Towing and Booting
Question: My car was towed. How do I locate it?
Answer: Visit www.findmytowedcar.com or call 311 (713-837-0311)
Question: I do not think my car was properly towed – is there anything I can do?
Answer: You may request a tow hearing with the Justice of the Peace. If they find the car was improperly towed, they will instruct the storage facility to issue a refund. Click here for more details: Harris County Justice of the Peace Court.
Question: What is a boot?
Answer: The boot is a device designed to immobilize a vehicle. Boots do not damage a vehicle as long as no attempt is made to move a booted vehicle.
Question: How does a vehicle get "booted"?
Answer: Vehicles that have three or more delinquent citations or one delinquent citation for parking in a handicapped zone (APK-21) are boot-eligible. A citation becomes delinquent if it is not paid within 30 days after it is issued.
Question: What are the boot fees?
Answer: Besides the outstanding parking citations, booted vehicles accumulate the booted vehicle fee and administration fee. See the City of Houston Fee Schedule for the charges.
Question: I received a notice that my vehicle is "boot-eligible." What do I do?
Answer: You received the notice because you are the registered owner of the vehicle when the citations were issued or the registered owner has identified you to us as being the actual owner of the vehicle at the time the citations were issued. You have until the date on the notice to take action on the parking citations.
Question: My car was booted. What do I do now?
Answer:
- Pay the fees online and return the boot to ParkHouston the next business. View more information on booted vehicles.
- Pay all the outstanding parking citations and applicable fees by credit card or cash only at: Municipal Courts – Parking Adjudication Office,1400 Lubbock, Houston, TX 77002 or ParkHouston, 2020 McKinney, Houston, TX 77003
- At the Parking Adjudication Office, request a boot hearing to verify if the car was properly booted. Delinquent parking citations cannot be contested.
- For additional information or assistance, please call 311 or 713.837.0311
Question: What is a boot hearing?
Answer: At the boot hearing, the hearing officer will determine if you were properly booted according to City Ordinance. If the hearing officer finds you liable, you are responsible for the outstanding citations and fees. If the hearing officer finds you not liable, those fees will be waived.
Customer Service
Question: What are your office hours?
Answer: Our customer service reps are available to assist you in person or by phone, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM. You can reach us by phone at 832-393-8690 or you can also call 311 or 713-837-0311, 24/7 for assistance.
How can I send you an email?
Answer: Our email address is parking@houstontx.gov. You will receive a response within 24 hours, Monday – Friday.
Where is your office located?
Answer: We are located at 2020 McKinney at St. Emmanuel