Parking Rules in Austin, TX (2026)
9 verified parking rules for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
Austin lets a homeowner keep up to two antique or recreational vehicles, including RVs, campers, and boat trailers, on residential premises under Sec. 25-2-893(B)(7), but only if the spot is not a health hazard and is either inside an enclosed building or screened by a solid six-foot wood or masonry fence.
Austin RV and Boat Storage at Home
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 25-2-893(B)
(B)This subsection provides for vehicle storage as an accessory use.(1)Not more than one motor vehicle for each licensed driver residing on the premises may be stored on the premises.(2)Notwithstanding the limitation of Subsection (B)(1), a private garage for the storage of not more than four motor vehicles is permitted.(3)Except for an antique vehicle or recreational vehicle, a motor vehicle w...
Driveway Rules
Austin bans parking a motor vehicle in the front yard or side yard of a residential property once that street is added to the city's restricted parking area map, unless the vehicle sits in a driveway or a paved parking space shown on an approved site plan. Neighborhood associations petition each February to add their blocks; fines start at forty dollars.
Austin Front and Side Yard Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 12-5-29
(B)This section applies to residential property within the areas depicted on the restricted parking area map.(C)A person may not park a motor vehicle in the front yard or side yard of a residential property, except in a driveway or a paved parking space depicted on an approved site plan.
Commercial & Oversized Vehicles
Austin prohibits parking any motor vehicle over 9,000 pounds gross vehicle weight on public streets posted 30 mph or less: the speed cap that covers virtually every residential street. Active loading and emergency utility repairs are the only exceptions.
Austin Bans Vehicles Over 9,000 Pounds on Slow Streets
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code § 12-5-9
§ 12-5-9 - PARKING MOTOR VEHICLES IN EXCESS OF 9,000 POUNDS ON CERTAIN STREETS. (A) Except as provided in Subsection (B), a person may not park a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight greater than 9,000 pounds on a public street with a speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less. (B) This restriction does not apply: (1) to a motor vehicle engaged in loading, or unloading, of materials or prope...
Street Parking Limits
Austin makes it a civil offense to park in violation of the city code or state law, so the Texas Transportation Code bans on blocking a driveway and parking against traffic are enforced on every Austin street.
Austin Street Parking: No Driveway Blocking, No Wrong-Way
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Section 12-5-1 (Responsibility for Violations)
(A) A person may not: (1) stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle in violation of this chapter or state law; or (2) allow a motor vehicle owned by the person or registered in the person's name to stop, stand, or park in violation of this chapter or state law. (B) If a motor vehicle is found parked in violation of this chapter or state law, proof that the motor vehicle is registered in a person's n...
Overnight Parking
Austin has no general citywide overnight parking ban on public streets. However, approximately 40 Residential Permit Parking (RPP) zones restrict overnight parking to permit holders, and vehicles may not remain in the same spot for more than 24 hours under Chapter 12-5.
Austin Overnight Parking Rules
Few RestrictionsTexas Transportation Code Sec. 683.002 (Abandoned Motor Vehicle)
Sec. 683.002. ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, a motor vehicle is abandoned if the motor vehicle: (1) is inoperable, is more than five years old, and has been left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours; (2) has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours; (3) has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person...
EV Charging
Austin City Code Sec. 12-5-24 reserves electric-vehicle charging spaces on City-owned and City-leased parking lots and garages for vehicles that actually run on a rechargeable battery and are plugged into the charging station. The same section separately restricts general employee and visitor parking on City lots to authorized users, effective February 24, 2025.
Austin EV Charging Space Parking Restrictions
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 12-5-24
§ 12-5-24 - CITY PARKING FACILITIES AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SPACES. (A)A person may not park on an off-street parking lot or parking garage at property owned or leased by the City that has been designated by the city manager for City employee parking, unless the person is an employee of the City or received special authorization by the director of the Austin Transportation and Public Work...
Abandoned Vehicles
Austin enforces Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683 and Austin City Code Chapter 12-5: a vehicle on public right-of-way is abandoned if inoperable for more than 48 hours or operable but apparently abandoned for more than 7 days. APD posts a warning tag and tows. Junked vehicles on private property are abated under Austin Code Chapter 9-2 as a nuisance with a 10-day notice.
Austin Abandoned Vehicle Rules (Code Ch. 12-5)
Some RestrictionsTexas Transportation Code Sec. 683.002 (Abandoned Motor Vehicle)
Sec. 683.002. ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, a motor vehicle is abandoned if the motor vehicle: (1) is inoperable, is more than five years old, and has been left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours; (2) has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours; (3) has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person...
Loading Zones
Austin requires a permit from the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department before a commercial vehicle can load or unload from a metered space, a designated commercial loading zone, or a curb-side travel lane. Operating without that permit, exceeding the posted time limit, or blocking an adjacent travel lane or bike lane are separate offenses under City Code Sec. 12-5-12, each carrying its own civil fine.
Austin Commercial Loading Zone Rules
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 12-5-12
(B)The director of the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department may issue a permit to an owner of a commercial vehicle to conduct loading or unloading activities from a metered space, commercial loading zone, or curb-side travel lane.(C)The owner of a commercial vehicle is in violation of this section if the owner or the owner's designee:(1)conducts loading or unloading activities with...
Preferential Parking Districts
Austin's Residents Only Zone rule lets the Transportation and Public Works Department restrict on-street parking near a neighborhood to permit holders only. A vehicle without a valid Resident or Visitor permit cannot stop, stand, or park in a designated zone during the restricted hours, and the director can add a pay-to-park option near parks, stadiums, hospitals, or universities under City Code Sec. 12-5-37.
Austin Residents Only Parking Zones
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 12-5-37
(A)A person may not stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle in a location and during a time period restricted to "Residents Only" parking by the City traffic engineer. This restriction does not apply to a person operating a motor vehicle displaying a valid "Resident" or "Visitor" permit, issued by the director of the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department.(B)The director of the Austin T...
Looking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
Parking Rules in Travis County →