Houston Code of Ordinances Chapter 26 authorizes the City to establish and mark commercial loading zones, typically painted yellow with signage, restricted to active loading or unloading of goods or passengers within posted time limits. Unauthorized standing in a loading zone draws citation and potential tow.
Loading zones along Houston city streets are installed by Houston Public Works Traffic Engineering under Chapter 26 (Traffic and Vehicles) of the Code of Ordinances. Yellow curb markings paired with regulatory signage signal a commercial loading zone, while green markings indicate short-term passenger or general loading. Vehicles using the zone must be actively engaged in loading or unloading goods or passengers within the time posted on the sign (commonly 15 to 30 minutes). Outside posted hours general parking rules typically resume. Downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and warehouse districts have heavier loading-zone density. Texas Transportation Code Chapter 545 backs municipal authority to regulate stopping, standing, and parking for traffic-control purposes.
Standing in a loading zone without active loading, exceeding the posted time, or parking in the zone outside loading use draws Houston Chapter 26 citations and potential tow under Houston Police Department or contractor enforcement.
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