Parking Rules in Harris County, TX (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Harris County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Harris County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Overnight Parking

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.307 prohibits parking commercial motor vehicles on residential streets between 10 PM and 6 AM where signs are posted. Unincorporated Harris County relies on state law and deed restrictions for overnight parking enforcement.

Parking: Overnight Parking

Light Restrictions

Texas Transportation Code Sec. 683.002 (Abandoned Motor Vehicle — 48-Hour Rule)

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...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Abandoned Vehicles

Harris County enforces abandoned vehicle regulations under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683. Vehicles left on public roadways for 48+ hours or on private property without consent can be towed. The county works with private tow companies for removal.

Parking: Abandoned Vehicles

Light Restrictions

Texas Transportation Code Sec. 683.002 (Definition of 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 in...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Curb Color Rules

Texas Transportation Code section 544.011 makes only the local authority responsible for painting and maintaining curb markings such as red, yellow, and white zones. Harris County Engineering paints curbs in unincorporated areas. Private painting of public curbs is prohibited without authorization from the county or city.

Texas Transportation Code 544.011 controls curb markings

Light Restrictions

Texas Transportation Code Sec. 544.011

Sec. 544.011. LANE USE SIGNSGoReset Texas Constitution and Statutes chevron_right Texas Constitution chevron_right Agriculture Code chevron_right Alcoholic Beverage Code chevron_right Auxiliary Water Laws chevron_right Business & Commerce Code chevron_right Business Organizations Code chevron_right Civil Practice and Remedies Code chevron_right Code of Criminal Procedure chevron_right Education...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Towing & Impound Rights

Harris County's tow truck ordinance, Subchapter 28G, covers only tows a law enforcement officer initiates, and only in the unincorporated parts of the county. It does not reach a private property trespass tow from an apartment lot or a strip center, which Tex. Occ. Code ch. 2308 and the TDLR rate caps govern statewide. If a Sheriff's Office deputy or a constable ordered your vehicle hooked at a collision, an arrest, a recovered-stolen call or a freeway breakdown outside every city limit, this ordinance is what applies, and it gives the vehicle owner four concrete things: certified-mail notice from the storage lot no later than five calendar days after intake, the right to pull personal property out before paying any fee, a fixed $27.50 law enforcement administrative fee collected at release, and, under the county freeway towing program, a $60.00 tow rate with no storage charge for the first 48 hours.

Harris County Ordinance Covers Law Enforcement Tows Only

Significant Restrictions

Harris County Code ch. 28, subch. 28G, art. VI(F), (G), (I)

The Storage Facility operator shall send written notice to the towed vehicle's registered owner and primary lienholder, not earlier than 24 hours but not later than five calendar days after the date the vehicle is received. ... The notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall contain: The date the vehicle was accepted for storage; The first day for which a daily s...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗