Parking, and the sidewalk rule

Neighbors in Timberwood have reported being cited for parking across their own sidewalk. This page sets out what the rule actually is and who enforces it. What it cannot yet say is how often it is enforced here, or why so many driveways on these streets are too short to park in without blocking the walk.

The rule is state law, not a city ordinance

Parking on a sidewalk is prohibited across Texas. Transportation Code section 545.302(a) says an operator "may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle," and the second item on that list is "on a sidewalk."¹ There is no exception in the statute for parking on the sidewalk in front of your own house, and none for parking there briefly.

The same section bars stopping or parking "in front of a public or private driveway," within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, and within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.¹

The City of Humble's own parking rules do not mention sidewalks. Article 11.03 of the city code runs to 22 sections covering angle parking, alleys, commercial vehicles, curb loading zones and bus stands, and none of them addresses sidewalks.² Section 11.03.032 states that the city's regulations are not exclusive,² so state law applies on top of them. A citation for a vehicle across a sidewalk rests on the state statute.

Other parking rules that are on the books here

Article 11.03 does carry three rules that come up on residential streets:²

• Parking for more than 72 hours in one place is prohibited, under section 11.03.007.²
• Habitual parking on the portion of street abutting somebody else's property is addressed by section 11.03.006.²
• Commercial vehicles are covered separately by section 11.03.008.²

The text of those three has not been read for this page. The section titles are quoted from the code's own table of contents.

Who enforces it

The city publishes a phone number for code enforcement and nothing else. Its code enforcement page has no list of what the office covers, no complaint form and no description of the process.³ See who to call.

What this page still needs

This is the part only a neighbor can fill in.

• How the rule is actually enforced here. Warning first, or a citation straight away? What does the fine come to? Does it come from code enforcement or from a patrol officer?
• Whether the driveways really are too short. Timberwood's sidewalks are set back into the yard rather than running along the curb, which shortens the space between the garage and the walk. Whether that distance is under the length of an ordinary vehicle is something somebody can measure, and nobody has. A tape measure and three driveways would settle it.
• Whether the city has ever acknowledged the layout as a problem. This has been said in the neighborhood, and no document has been produced for it. A council minute or a letter would turn it from a claim into a fact.
• What a household with more cars than driveway is supposed to do. Parking on the street is legal where it is not otherwise restricted, and that appears to be the answer, but it is worth confirming.

See also

• Permits
• Who to call
• Deed restrictions