The Prohibited Yard Parking Program
is intended to protect neighborhood property values,
prevent damage to the City of Houston’s underground
infrastructure, and to stop the degradation of
the aesthetic appearance of single-family residential
areas. Parking of vehicles on any unimproved surface
in the front or side yard within single-family
residential areas will be prohibited where a Prohibited
Yard Parking Requirement Area has been established.
The Planning and Development Department will begin accepting applications for the Prohibited Yard Parking Program on April 1, 2009. Applications will be accepted on the first two business days of each month before 5:00 p.m.
Who may apply?
Active homeowner’s associations / civic clubs may apply for a Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area or a homeowner may gather 60% support from single-family residential property owners within the proposed Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area and file a petition with the City of Houston’s Planning and Development Department.
What is required for a homeowner's association or
civic club application?
Complete application
Copy of the meeting minutes denoting the resolution from the Board of the homeowner's
association or civic club authorizing the filing of the Prohibited Yard Parking
application
Copy of the homeowner's association's or civic club's bylaws
Letter of support by an authorized homeowner’s association or civic club that is
signed by the president
Map of the proposed boundary of the Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area - must
include a minimum of five contiguous blockfaces
Map of all property land uses within the proposed boundary
Copy of public notification wording
What is required for a homeowner's petition?
Complete application
Signed petition
Evidence of support from 60% of single-family property owners within the proposed
Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area
Map of the proposed boundary of the Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area - must
include a minimum of five contiguous blockfaces
Map of all property land uses within the proposed boundary
Copy of public notification wording
What criteria must the proposed Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area
meet to qualify for the program?
At least 60% of the proposed boundary area must be single family;
single family is defined as:
the use of a lot with one building designed for and containing not more than
two separate units with facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and eating therein; or
a lot upon which is located a free-standing building containing one dwelling unit and
a detached secondary dwelling unit of not more than 900 square feet; or
a building that contains one dwelling unit on one lot that is connected by
a party wall to another building containing one dwelling unit on an adjacent lot
The proposed boundary area must include a minimum of five (5) contiguous blockfaces
What happens after the application is submitted?
City staff will review applications for completeness; incomplete applications will be
returned to the applicant
Within ten (10) days of an application being deemed complete:
the Houston Planning and Development Department will mail a notification letter to all
property owners within the proposed Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area
the applicant must post signs in four locations within the proposed boundary
the aplicant must provide public notice to all property owners using a method approved
by the Planning and Development Department; a copy of the public notification must be
provided to the Planning and Development Department
The Planning Director will approve the application and forward it to City Council
for final consideration if no written protest is received
The Planning Director must refer the application to the Prohibited Yard Parking Hearing Officer
for consideration if a timely protest is filed with the Planning and Development Department
The Prohibited Yard Parking Hearing Officer will hold a public hearing with written notice
sent to the applicant and protestors fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing date
If approved, the Prohibited Yard Parking Hearing Officer will forwarded the application to
City Council for final action; if the Hearing Officer disapproves the application, it is denied
Can the application be protested?
Property owners in the proposed boundary area may file a written protest with the
City of Houston's Planning and Development Department within twenty (20) days of the
notice of the letter.
How long is the Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area in effect?
Once City Council approves the Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area,
it is recorded and in effect for twenty (20) years.
What is the fine for violating the Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area?
Any person who violates the Prohibited Yard Parking Requirement Area shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined up to $150.00 each day a violation occurs.
Contact Information --
Physical Address:
City of Houston
Planning & Development Department
ATTN: Nathan Kraus
611 Walker Street, Sixth Floor
Mailing Address:
City of Houston
Planning & Development Department
ATTN: Nathan Kraus
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251
