Georgetown, TX Environmental Rules: Vehicle Idling Restrictions (2026)

Section 10.04.080, adopted by Ord. No. 2006-35, applies seasonally from April 1 through October 31 of each year. Subsection C prohibits causing, suffering, allowing, or permitting a vehicle's primary propulsion engine, defined as the gas or diesel internal combustion engine that propels the vehicle, to idle for more than five consecutive minutes while the vehicle is not in motion. Subsection D lists nine affirmative defenses: vehicles under 14,000 pounds gross weight; vehicles stopped by traffic conditions beyond the operator's control; military, National Guard, reserve, emergency, or law enforcement vehicles; engines idling to power non-propulsion mechanical equipment; engines being serviced or diagnosed; engines defrosting a windshield; commercial passenger transportation vehicles (buses/motorcoaches carrying more than ten passengers) or school buses idling up to 30 minutes for passenger heating/cooling; passenger transit vehicles idling up to 30 minutes; and airport ground support equipment. The person asserting a defense bears the burden of proving it by a preponderance of the evidence.