If any vehicle is found upon any street in violation of any provision of this article regulating the standing, stopping, or parking of vehicles and the identity of the operator cannot be determined, the owner or person in whose name such vehicle is registered shall be held prima facie responsible for such violation.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-186; Ordinance 62 adopted 2/20/1940; 1997 Code, sec. 72.01)
(a) 
Authority.
Any vehicle which shall be or remain standing or parked upon any public street, avenue, way, alley, or other public place may, under the following circumstances, be removed by or upon the order of the chief of police and placed in storage in a privately operated garage or other place designated or maintained by the city:
(1) 
When any vehicle is found upon a street, avenue, alley way or public place and a report has been previously made that such vehicle has been stolen, or a complaint has been filed and a warrant issued thereon, charging that such vehicle has been stolen or converted in violation of the law;
(2) 
When any police officer of the city has reasonable grounds to believe that any vehicle has been abandoned for longer than 48 hours;
(3) 
When any police officer arrests any person driving, or in control of, a vehicle for an alleged offense and such officer is or may be required by law to take the one arrested immediately before a magistrate, or if the arrested person is immediately taken before a magistrate, or when the arrested person is the sole occupant or the owner of the vehicle and is immediately placed in custody;
(4) 
When a vehicle is so disabled that its normal operation is impossible or impractical and the person in charge of the vehicle is incapacitated by reason of physical injury or other causes to such an extent as to be unable to provide for its removal or custody, or cannot be found, or is not in the immediate vicinity of such vehicle;
(5) 
When any vehicle is left standing or parked unattended for more than 48 hours in violation of any applicable provision of state law, city ordinance, rules or regulations; provided, however, that in the event the vehicle is adjacent to property owned by the owner of such vehicle or property rented by the owner of the vehicle, before such vehicle shall be removed, the owner thereof shall be given an additional 24 hours to remove or cause to be removed such vehicle. Such written notice may be given by depositing the same, addressed to the owner at the address given on the registration receipt of the vehicle or his or her last known address, in the United States mail.
(b) 
Claiming of vehicle by owner.
In order to obtain possession of any vehicle stored under the provisions of this section, the claimant must produce satisfactory evidence of the ownership or right to possession within 30 days from the date of such storage, and in addition thereto must pay all charges for storage and removal of such vehicle in addition to any fine.
(c) 
Sale of vehicle.
If the vehicle removed under this section is not claimed within 30 days from the date of storage, the same may be sold by the garage where the same is stored for recovery of charges, as provided by law.
(d) 
Liability.
The provisions of this section shall not be construed to relieve from, or lessen the responsibility of, any person who shall leave his or her vehicle parked on the streets of the city in such a manner that the same may be impounded, nor shall the city be held as assuming any liability by reason of the impounding, or the causing to be impounded, of such vehicle.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-187; Ordinance 4-83 adopted 1/10/1983; 1997 Code, sec. 72.02)
No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the keys from the ignition, and effectively setting the brakes thereon, and when standing upon any grade, turning the front wheels toward the curb or side of the roadway.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-188; Ordinance 4-83 adopted 1/10/1983; 1997 Code, sec. 72.03)
(a) 
Parking prohibited in certain places.
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with law, the direction of a police officer, or a traffic-control device, in any of the following places:
(1) 
On the roadway side of a vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;
(2) 
On a sidewalk;
(3) 
In an intersection;
(4) 
On a crosswalk;
(5) 
Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of a place on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the city designates a different length by signs or markings;
(6) 
Alongside or opposite a street excavation or obstruction if stopping, standing, or parking the vehicle would obstruct traffic;
(7) 
On a bridge or other elevated structure on a highway or in a highway tunnel;
(8) 
On a railroad track; or
(9) 
Where an official sign prohibits stopping.
(b) 
Moving vehicle of another.
No person shall move a vehicle not lawfully under his or her control into any prohibited area specified above or any distance from a curb, except as permitted by law.
(c) 
Parking for certain purposes prohibited.
No person shall park a vehicle upon any street in the city for the principal purpose of:
(1) 
Displaying such vehicle for sale;
(2) 
Washing, greasing, or repairing such vehicle, except such repairs as necessitated by an emergency;
(3) 
Advertising, except by permit issued by the chief of police and under the conditions stipulated therein.
(d) 
Ten feet of roadway to be left available for traffic.
No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle upon a street in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than ten feet of width of either lane of a roadway for free movement of vehicular traffic, except that a driver may stop temporarily during the actual loading or unloading of passengers or, when necessary, in obedience to traffic regulations, traffic signs, or signals of a police officer.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-189; 1997 Code, sec. 72.04)
(a) 
The street superintendent shall cause parking stalls to be maintained and marked off in and on such streets or parts thereof as may be designated by the city council from time to time, and such person shall cause spaces in which parking is prohibited to be maintained and marked off in and on such streets and parts thereof as may be designated by the city council from time to time. The street superintendent shall also cause time-limit parking areas to be marked off and maintained in and on such streets or parts thereof as may be designated by the city council from time to time. All such spaces or areas shall be clearly indicated by appropriate signs or by marking on the pavement or curb.
(b) 
In areas designated as time-limit parking areas, parking may be limited to any period prescribed by the city council, the same areas to be designated with clearly distinguished markings or signs at both ends of the time-limit areas and at reasonable intervals between the beginning and ending of such time-limit areas, indicating which parking established under this section shall apply on such days and between such hours as prescribed by the city council.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-192; 1997 Code, sec. 72.05)
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, allow, permit, or suffer any vehicle registered in such person's name or owned and operated by such person or in such person's possession or under such person's control to be or remain in any space or area in which parking is prohibited, as provided in section 11.06.005, or in a time-limit parking area for a longer period of time than that designated by the marking on the street or by clearly visible signs.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-193; 1997 Code, sec. 72.06)
(a) 
Parallel parking.
No person shall stand or park a vehicle in a roadway other than parallel with the edge of the roadway and headed in the direction of lawful traffic movement and with the right-hand wheels of the vehicle within 18 inches of the curb or edge of the roadway, except as otherwise provided in this article. On a one-way street, vehicles may be parked on the left side of the street with the left-hand wheels within 18 inches of the curb or edge of the roadway, unless signs prohibit such parking.
(b) 
Designation of angle parking areas.
The street superintendent, with the approval of the city council, shall determine upon which streets angle parking shall be permitted and shall mark or sign such streets, but such angle parking shall not be indicated on any federal-aid or state highway within this city unless the state department of transportation has determined by resolution or order, entered into its minutes, that the roadway is of sufficient width to permit angle parking without interfering with the free movement of traffic. Angle parking shall not be indicated or permitted at any place where passing traffic would thereby be caused or required to drive upon the left side of the street or upon any railroad track.
(c) 
Parking in angle parking area.
Upon those streets which have been signed or marked for angle parking, no person shall park or stand a vehicle other than at the angle to, and with the hood or front end of such vehicle next to, the curb or edge of the roadway indicated by such signs or markings.
(d) 
Vehicles to be parked within marked lines.
Whenever parking spaces are marked by lines on the pavement, whether for parallel or angle parking, a vehicle must be parked entirely within the lines of the parking space.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-194; 1997 Code, sec. 72.07)
(a) 
Obstruction of alley.
No person shall park a vehicle within an alley in such a manner or under such conditions as to block the free passage of other vehicles in such alley.
(b) 
Parking in fire limits.
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), it shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in the alley within the fire limits of the city, except when such vehicle is actually being used for the purpose of loading or unloading merchandise or passengers.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-196; 1997 Code, sec. 72.08)
It shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of any vehicle to allow, cause or permit such vehicle to remain standing or parked on any street, alley, avenue or public way within the city for more than 48 hours continuously.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-197; Ordinance 4-83 adopted 1/10/1983; 1997 Code, sec. 72.09)
No person shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked unless and until such movement can be made with safety.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-198; Ordinance 4-83 adopted 1/10/1983; 1997 Code, sec. 72.10)
The street superintendent is hereby authorized to determine and designate the locations of passenger and freight curb loading zones and shall place and maintain appropriate signs indicating the same and stating the hours during which the provisions therefor are applicable.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-199; 1997 Code, sec. 72.11)
The city council is hereby empowered and authorized to establish bus stops on such public streets in such number and at such places as it shall determine necessary for the greatest benefit and convenience to the public, and such stops shall be designated by appropriate signs.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-200; Ordinance 62 adopted 2/20/1940; 1997 Code, sec. 72.12)
(a) 
Definitions.
For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Commercial motor vehicle.
A motor vehicle designed or used for the transportation of property, or for delivery purposes, not including a passenger bus, passenger automobile, motorcycle, panel delivery truck or pickup truck or vehicle used in the delivery of the United States mail.
Mobile home/HUD-code manufactured housing.
Structures/vehicles as defined by state law, Texas Occupations Code, chapter 1201, as amended.
Pole trailer.
A vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach or pole, or by being boomed, or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle, and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, pipes, or structural members capable, generally, of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections.
Recreational vehicle/travel trailer/camper.
A vehicular portable structure designed for a temporary or short-term occupancy for travel, recreation or vacation. The term does not apply to mobile homes or HUD-code manufactured housing which are designed for year-round occupancy.
Semi-trailer.
A vehicle designed or used with a motor vehicle so that part of the weight of the vehicle and its load rests on, or is carried by, another vehicle.
Trailer.
A vehicle that is designed or used to carry a load wholly on its own structure and is drawn and designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle.
Truck-tractor.
A motor vehicle designed or used primarily for drawing another vehicle and not constructed to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load to be drawn.
Vehicle.
Any of the enumerated types of vehicles, trailers or trucks stated herein.
(b) 
Applicability.
It shall be unlawful for any person to leave, park or stand any of the following vehicles upon any public street, public right-of-way, highway or alley within the corporate limits of the city, except as otherwise provided herein:
(1) 
Boat;
(2) 
Boat trailer;
(3) 
Mobile home;
(4) 
Camper;
(5) 
Travel trailer;
(6) 
Recreational vehicle;
(7) 
Truck-tractor;
(8) 
Semi-trailer;
(9) 
Pole trailer; or
(10) 
Commercial motor vehicle or trailer exceeding five tons or containing two or more axles.
(c) 
Overnight parking in parking lot or vacant lot.
It shall be unlawful for any person to leave, park or stand any vehicles in a public or private parking lot or vacant lot overnight unless the same is an allowed use in the zoning ordinance.
(d) 
Parking on unimproved surface.
Parking shall only be upon an improved surface. For purposes of this section, an improved surface shall be concrete, asphaltic concrete or similar impervious surfaces and/or as otherwise designated in the city's construction standards and zoning ordinance, as adopted or amended. It shall be a violation to park on an unimproved surface such as grass or dirt in any zoning district.
(e) 
Use of designated parking and loading areas for other purposes.
It shall be unlawful to use designated parking and loading areas for the repair, storage, display for sale, dismantling or service (except for normal maintenance of a private vehicle) of vehicles or equipment, or for the storage of materials or supplies, or for any other use in conflict with the designated parking and loading areas.
(f) 
Vehicle owner presumed responsible for violation.
If any vehicle listed above is found to be in violation of any provision of this section, or of a state statute regulating the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle, and the identity of the driver cannot be determined, the owner or person in whose name such vehicle is registered is presumed to be the person who parked said vehicle at the time and place the offense occurred. This presumption is rebuttable and shall have the effects and consequences set forth in Texas Penal Code section 2.05. The state department of transportation's computer-generated record of the registered vehicle owner is prima facie evidence of the contents of the record.
(g) 
Temporary parking.
These provisions shall not apply to temporary parking or standing of said vehicles for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or contents, for the connection or disconnection of such vehicles or trailers, or for the performance of the function for which the vehicle was intended; provided, however, that the permitted activities herein stated shall occur during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and shall be of only the necessary duration to accomplish the permitted activity.
(h) 
Permit for parking in residentially zoned district.
Any person desiring to park any of the said vehicles in a residentially zoned district shall first obtain from the city police department a permit for such parking. Any person desiring a permit under this section shall make application for such permit to the police department, setting forth the location, time and date of said parking, the name and address of the person requesting the parking permit, and the vehicle identification number. The parking permit shall be issued upon payment of a fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(i) 
Number of parking permits; duration of permit.
Four parking permits may be issued per year per household covered by the permit application. No other parking permits shall be issued for that location during that year, which year consists of 365 days. Each parking permit shall be valid for three consecutive days, being Friday after 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. on the succeeding Monday. No more than four permits shall be issued for any one premises during said year.
(j) 
Permit for combination of vehicles.
For purposes of this section, only one permit shall be necessary for a combination of not more than two vehicles, including but not limited to a truck and semitrailer, [or] truck and trailer, coupled together by a towing device; provided, however, that a boat or other such vehicle is permitted to be coupled to the trailer to the extent the combination is not longer than the trailer itself, and the vehicle to be towed is securely attached to the trailer.
(k) 
Penalty.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this section shall be fined an amount not to exceed the sum of $500.00, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-153; Ordinance 4-2-96 adopted 4/23/1996; Ordinance O-12-02 adopted 12/10/2002; 1997 Code, sec. 72.13; Ordinance adopting 2023 Code)