Waco, TX Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)

Section 25-190, adopted from the 1967 Code as § 34-126, closes a gap that would otherwise let anyone paint a private "no parking" zone on a public curb and have it look official. Only the city traffic engineer, or the city council itself, can authorize a reserve zone, no-parking zone, loading zone, or restricted parking zone marking under this chapter; every other painted or placed curb marker is unlawful regardless of who put it there or why. The rule dovetails with Section 25-188, which requires the traffic engineer to post signs or "other clearly distinguished markings" at both ends of any lawfully designated no-parking or limited-time zone before the restriction can be enforced, and with Section 25-189, which only penalizes parking in areas marked under that authorized process.

Because unauthorized markings are not legally binding, a driver who parks in a spot marked by an unofficial "reserved" or "loading zone" paint job cannot be cited under Section 25-189 for violating it, but the person who painted it is separately liable under Section 25-190. Enforcement runs through the police department: officers may issue a citation requiring a municipal court appearance within ten days under Section 1-15(a). Since Section 25-190 does not set its own penalty, the citywide general penalty in Section 1-14(a) applies, and because painted or placed markings persist over time, Section 1-14(c) allows each day the unauthorized marking remains in place to be charged as a separate offense.