How Garland Handles Parking Rules: A Practical Guide

Garland maintains 154 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with parking rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Garland falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Overnight Parking

Garland generally allows overnight on-street parking in residential areas, but restricts vehicles parked continuously in the same spot for more than 48-72 hours and prohibits commercial trucks over one ton overnight.

Key details: Prohibition: No blanket overnight parking ban on residential streets. Vehicle: Vehicles cannot stay in same spot longer than 48-72 hours. Vehicle: Commercial vehicles over 1 ton prohibited overnight in residential areas. Vehicle: Trailers and semi-trucks not allowed on residential streets. Rule: HOAs may enforce stricter overnight rules.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://www.garlandtx.gov/153/Code-Compliance) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Garland gives residents more flexibility on overnight parking.

EV Charging

Garland EV charger installation requires an electrical permit; Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2157 prevents HOAs from prohibiting Level 2 chargers at owner-occupied units, subject to reasonable conditions.

Key details: Level: Level 2 EV charger installation requires electrical permit. Licensed Texas Electrician: Licensed Texas electrician must perform installation. Hoas Cannot Ban: HOAs cannot ban EV chargers (TX Occupations Code Ch. 2157). Garland Power &: Garland Power & Light offers EV charging guidance. New Multi: New multi-family projects must include EV-ready infrastructure.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/OC/htm/OC.2157.htm) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Garland gives residents more flexibility on ev charging.

Driveway Rules

Garland requires vehicles parked at single-family homes to be on an approved hard surface (concrete or asphalt driveway), with parking on lawns and unimproved surfaces prohibited under the property maintenance code.

Key details: Vehicles must park: Vehicles must park on concrete, asphalt, or approved surface. Parking on Grass: Parking on grass or dirt in front yard is prohibited. New Driveways Require: New driveways require Building Inspection permit. RVs, Boats, Trailers: RVs, boats, trailers must be behind front building line or. Commercial Vehicles over: Commercial vehicles over 1 ton banned from residential overnight parking.

Abandoned Vehicles

Garland follows Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683, defining vehicles as junked or abandoned if inoperable, unregistered, wrecked, or left on public property over 48 hours, with removal authorized after notice.

Key details: Junked Definition: Junked = inoperable, wrecked, or unregistered/uninspected. Public Streets: Tagged on public streets after 48 hours; towed thereafter. Private Property: Private property: 10-day written notice before abatement. Reporting: Report to Garland Code Compliance: (972) 205-3340. Cost Recovery: Owner pays towing and impound fees if removed.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.683.htm) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Garland restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones with weight, size, and signage limits. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited. TX Transportation Code §545.307 applies for overnight restrictions where posted.

Key details: Residential: Weight/size limits apply. Heavy Trucks: Overnight prohibited. State Law: TX Trans. Code §545.307. Surface: Improved surface required.

Code violation for non-compliant storage. Traffic citation for posted street violations.

RV & Boat Parking

Garland regulates RV, boat, and trailer storage on residential property. Must be on improved surfaces. Front yard storage may be restricted. HOAs often impose additional RV storage rules.

Key details: Surface: Improved surface required. Front Yard: May be restricted. Condition: Must be operable. HOA Rules: Often restrict further.

Code compliance notice with correction period. Fines $100 to $500/day. HOA fines per CC&Rs.

Street Parking Limits

Garland requires all vehicles to park on improved surfaces per city ordinance. Front lawn parking is prohibited. State Transportation Code §§545.302-305 and Garland Chapters 32-33 govern parking regulations.

Key details: Improved Surface: Required for all parking. Lawn Parking: Prohibited. City Code: Chapters 32 and 33. STR Guests: No on-street parking. State Law: TX Trans. Code §§545.302-305.

Parking on unimproved surface: code violation. Obstructive parking: traffic citation.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Garland gives residents more room on parking rules. 2 of the 7 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Garland can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.