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 states that traffic-control devices including curb markings carry the force of law only when placed by a local authority. In unincorporated Harris County, the Harris County Engineering Department maintains curb paint on county-maintained roads, while the Texas Department of Transportation handles state highways. Cities like Houston and Pasadena paint curbs within their limits. Red curbs prohibit parking, yellow indicate loading zones, and white may indicate passenger pickup. Property owners cannot paint a public curb to reserve their own parking; doing so is unauthorized alteration of a traffic-control device. Painting house numbers on residential curbs is technically an unauthorized alteration; deputies enforce on complaint.
Unauthorized curb painting may be charged as alteration of a traffic-control device under Transportation Code 544.011 and Penal Code 28.03 criminal mischief, with misdemeanor fines up to four thousand dollars depending on damage.
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See how Harris County's curb color rules rules stack up against other locations.
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