The Administration and Regulatory Affairs (ARA) Department Director recommends that City Council approve an ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the City of Houston’s Code of Ordinances relating to removal and storage of vehicles.
The proposed ordinance removes the restrictions in Chapter 26 on a parking compliance officer’s authority to order a tow of a vehicle illegally parked in violation of Chapter 26. As a result, the proposed ordinance would update Chapter 26 to align with House Bill 914 (and Section 2308.354(a) of the Texas Occupations Code), recently introduced and passed by the 87th Texas Legislature to authorize an employee designated by the City of Houston to request the removal and storage of illegally parked vehicles or abandoned vehicles without a peace officer’s presence.
As a result of House Bill 914, parking compliance officers may authorize the towing of abandoned and illegally parked vehicles that will empower ARA to better manage abandoned vehicles service requests. ARA receives about 5,000 service requests per year for abandoned vehicles.
Currently, parking compliance officers are attending to abandoned vehicles by citing vehicles parked more than 24 hours when necessary. In order to tow abandoned vehicles, there must be three consecutive violations of being parked more than 24 hours on the public right of way. ARA’s ParkHouston Division (ParkHouston) manages the first two violations. ParkHouston then coordinates with the Houston Police Department (HPD) for a peace officer to issue the final citation and tow the vehicle.
The proposed ordinance will enable ParkHouston to address the abandoned vehicle entirely and HPD can reduce the amount of resources directed to this neighborhood nuisance.
The proposed ordinance amendments to Chapter 26 were presented by ARA to the Quality of Life Committee on September 22, 2021.
Fiscal Note:
There are no revenues or expenditures associated with this item. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
Departmental Approval Authority:
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Tina Paez, Director Other Authorization
Administration & Regulatory
Affairs Department