The provisions of this article prohibiting the standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times herein specified or as indicated on official signs, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 120, adopted 2/21/49; 1972 Code, sec. 23-27)
The provisions of this article imposing a time limit on parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions prohibiting or limiting the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 121, adopted 2/21/49; 1972 Code, sec. 23-28)
Members of the police department are authorized to remove a vehicle from a street or highway to the nearest garage or other place of safety, or to a garage designated or maintained by the police department, or otherwise maintained by this city, under the circumstances hereinafter enumerated:
(1) 
When any vehicle is left unattended upon any bridge, viaduct, or causeway, or in any tube or tunnel where such vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic.
(2) 
When a vehicle upon a highway is so disabled as to constitute an obstruction to traffic and the person or persons in charge are by reason of physical injury incapacitated to such an extent as to be unable to provide for its custody or removal.
(3) 
When any vehicle is left unattended upon a street and is so parked illegally as to constitute a definite hazard or obstruction to the normal movement of traffic.
(4) 
When a vehicle is parked in violation of any of the provisions of this article.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 132, adopted 2/21/49; 1972 Code, sec. 23-43; Ordinance adopting 2023 Code)
In any prosecution charging a violation of any law or regulation governing the standing or parking of a vehicle, proof that the particular vehicle described in the complaint was parked in violation of any such law or regulation, together with proof that the defendant named in the complaint was at the time of such parking the registered owner of such vehicle, shall constitute in evidence a prima facie presumption that the registered owner of such vehicle was the person who parked or placed such vehicle at the point where, and for the time during which, such violation occurred.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 129, adopted 2/21/49; 1972 Code, sec. 23-42)
No person shall park a vehicle unattended in an alley within the city except for the actual loading and unloading of merchandise. While parked for this purpose the vehicle must be parked in such a way as to permit the free movement of vehicular traffic in the alley.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 105, adopted 2/21/49; Ordinance 421, sec. I, adopted 10/13/58; 1972 Code, sec. 23-29)
No person shall park a vehicle upon any roadway for the principal purpose of:
(1) 
Displaying such vehicle for sale;
(2) 
Washing, greasing or repairing such vehicle, except repairs necessitated by an emergency.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 107, adopted 2/21/49; 1972 Code, sec. 23-30)
(a) 
The city manager is authorized to erect signs indicating no parking upon that side of any street adjacent to any school property when such parking would, in his opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation.
(b) 
When official signs are erected indicating no parking upon that side of a street adjacent to any school property, no person shall park a vehicle in any such designated place.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 108, adopted 2/21/49; Ordinance 753, sec. 1, adopted 11/13/79; 1972 Code, sec. 23-31)
(a) 
The city manager is hereby authorized to determine and designate by proper signs places not exceeding one hundred (100) feet in length in which the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles would create an especially hazardous condition or would cause unusual delay to traffic.
(b) 
When official signs are erected at hazardous or congested places as authorized herein, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any such designated place.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 112, adopted 2/21/49; Ordinance 753, sec. 1, adopted 11/13/79; 1972 Code, sec. 23-32)
In the event a highway includes two (2) or more separate roadways and traffic is restricted to one direction upon any such roadway, no person shall stand or park a vehicle upon the left-hand side of such one-way roadway unless signs are erected to permit such standing or parking. The city manager is authorized to determine when standing or parking may be permitted upon the left-hand side of any such one-way roadway and to erect signs giving notice thereof.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 111, adopted 2/21/49; 1972 Code, sec. 23-33)
(a) 
Consent required; posting of signs.
It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle upon any private property belonging to any other person, without the consent of the owner of such private property, or his duly authorized agent having the lawful possession or control of such private property; provided, however, the owner of such private property shall post and maintain a conspicuous sign thereon with the words “PRIVATE PARKING,” or “NO PARKING,” or “RESERVED FOR CUSTOMERS,” or any other words of a similar nature clearly showing the intention of such owner not to permit parking except with his consent. The fact that a vehicle is found parked in violation of this subsection shall be prima facie evidence that the duly registered owner of such vehicle unlawfully parked the same.
(b) 
Illegal removal of sign.
It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally remove, injure or deface any sign posted in compliance with subsection (a) of this section without the consent of the owner of such sign, or his duly authorized agent.
(Ordinance 349 adopted 10/10/55; 1972 Code, secs. 23-34, 23-35)
The driver of a bus or taxicab shall not park upon any street in any business district at any place other than at a bus stop, or taxicab stand, respectively, except that this provision shall not prevent the driver of any such vehicle from temporarily stopping in accordance with other stopping or parking regulations at any place for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 118, adopted 2/21/49; 1972 Code, sec. 23-38)
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle other than a bus in a bus stop, or other than a taxicab in a taxicab stand, when any such stop or stand has been officially designated and appropriately signed, except that the driver of a passenger vehicle may temporarily stop therein for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers when such stopping does not interfere with any bus or taxicab waiting to enter or about to enter such zone.
(Ordinance 262, sec. 119, adopted 2/21/49; 1972 Code, sec. 23-41)
(a) 
Streets where angle parking is permitted.
(1) 
The city manager shall determine upon what streets angle parking shall be permitted and shall mark or sign such streets; but such angle parking shall not be indicated upon any federal-aid or state highway within this city unless the state transportation commission has determined by resolution or order entered in its minutes that the roadway is of sufficient width to permit angle parking without interfering with the free movement of traffic.
(2) 
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.
(b) 
Obedience to signs or markings.
On those streets which have been signed or marked by the city manager for angle parking, no person shall park or stand a vehicle other than at the angle to the curb or edge of the roadway indicated by such signs or markings.
(Ordinance 753, sec. 1, adopted 11/13/79; 1972 Code, secs. 23-45, 23-46)
(a) 
Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. To the extent not otherwise defined, all words and phrases used in this section shall have the same meaning as set forth in pertinent sections of V.T.C.A., Transportation Code section 541.001 et seq.
Automobile
means a four-wheeled, self-propelled vehicle designed for passenger transportation.
Bus
means every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than ten (10) passengers and used for the transportation of persons, and every motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, designed and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.
Commercial motor vehicle
means any motor vehicle designed or used for the transportation of property, or for delivery purposes, operating primarily for profit, not including a passenger automobile, passenger bus, motorcycle, panel delivery truck, pickup truck or vehicle used in the delivery of the United States mail.
Motor vehicle
means any vehicle which is self-propelled by mechanical power such as automobiles, trucks, motorcycles or buses designed to carry one (1) or more persons, but excluding construction equipment, forklifts and farm implements.
Oversized commercial vehicle
means any vehicle designated in this definition, or any vehicle designed for the transport of property or cargo with a gross vehicle weight or registered weight, as those terms are defined by state law, of more than seventeen thousand five hundred (17,500) pounds, or any vehicle that has a rated capacity in excess of two (2) tons, including, but not limited to, the following designated vehicles: dump trucks, truck-tractors, tractor-trailers, semitrailers, concrete mixing trucks, stake-bed trucks, buses, trailers, or other similar vehicles. The term “oversized vehicle” shall exclude any self-contained recreational vehicle which has a kitchen, bath or sleeping quarters and is designed for recreational purposes.
Parking area
means a privately owned or publicly owned off-street area meeting the paving standards as defined in division 4 of article 9.02 of this code, for the temporary parking, storage or placement of vehicles.
Recreational vehicle/travel trailer/camper
means a vehicular portable structure designed for temporary or short-term occupancy for travel, recreation or vacation. The term “recreational vehicle/travel trailer/camper” does not include mobile homes and/or HUD-code manufactured homes, as these terms are defined by V.T.C.A., Occupations Code, chapter 1201, which are designed for year-round occupancy.
Semitrailer
means every vehicle without motor power, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by the motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, lowboys, goosenecks, fifth wheels and other similar vehicles.
Tractor-trailer
means a combination of a truck-tractor and semitrailer.
Trailer
means every vehicle without motor power, designed for carrying persons or property on its own structure exclusively and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle, including, but not limited to, pop-up campers/tent trailers, flatbeds and other similar vehicles.
Truck-tractor
means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing/hauling other vehicles and not constructed to carry a load other than part of the weight of the vehicle and load being drawn or that is engaged with a semitrailer in the transportation of automobiles or boats and that transports the automobiles or boats on part of the truck-tractor.
Vehicle
means every mechanical device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn or moved upon a street, highway, waterway or airway, except devices moved exclusively by human power, or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks, including, but not limited to, a motor vehicle, truck, tractor-trailer or semitrailer.
(b) 
Parking of commercial motor vehicles.
Parking of commercial motor vehicles shall comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to park or store, or allow to be parked or stored, any oversized commercial vehicle upon any public street, alley, parkway, boulevard, public place, public right-of-way or railroad right-of-way within the corporate limits of the city. This subsection shall not apply to emergency response vehicles, street construction equipment, maintenance and repair equipment or trucks, rollers and implements, equipment trailers or vehicles used by public service utility companies engaged in repairing or extending public service utilities when used or intended for use in the general vicinity, motor buses when taking on or discharging passengers, vehicles parked in while in the act of accepting from the immediate shipper or delivering to a consignee or addressee any transportable thing, or vehicles with mechanical defects during the time it takes to make emergency repairs.
(2) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to park or store, or allow to be parked or stored, any oversized commercial vehicle upon property within any residentially zoned district or any property used for residential purposes, within the corporate limits of the city. This subsection shall not prevent the parking or standing of the above-described vehicles in such zoned areas for the purpose of expeditiously loading and unloading passengers, freight or merchandise.
(3) 
For subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the court may take judicial notice of an owner’s manual, dealer brochure and other such similar informational literature, which may constitute a prima facie presumption of the size and weight of the vehicle. This presumption is rebuttable and shall have the effects and consequences set forth in V.T.C.A., Penal Code section 2.05.
(c) 
Parking certain vehicles in nonresidential districts.
It shall be unlawful for any person to park or store, or allow to be parked or stored, any vehicle not designed to operate under its own power on any public street, alley, parkway, boulevard, public right-of-way or public thoroughfare in any nonresidentially zoned district for a period longer than a two-hour duration.
(d) 
Parking in residential districts.
(1) 
Parking in residential districts shall comply with the following provisions:
(A) 
Parking on street.
No recreational vehicle, travel trailer, boats and/or boat trailers, livestock trailers, cargo trailers, flatbed trailers, pipe trailers, utility trailers or other trailers shall be stored or parked on any public thoroughfare in any residential district. The provisions of this section do not include noncommercial utility trailers that are open topped and less than twenty (20) feet in overall length. The provisions of this section shall not prevent the parking or standing of such vehicles upon the public thoroughfare in such zoned district for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers, freight or merchandise, or temporary parking of recreational or travel trailers for a period not to exceed seventy-two (72) hours.
(B) 
Occupancy of recreational vehicle, camper, etc.; connection to utilities.
No recreational vehicle, travel trailer, camper, or any other type of vehicle shall be connected to utilities except for the purpose of maintenance. Utilities shall only include electricity and water. Habitation and/or temporary occupancy is prohibited.
(2) 
For purposes of this section, the court may take judicial notice of an owner’s manual, dealer brochure and other such similar information literature, which may constitute a prima facie presumption of the size and weight of the vehicle. This presumption is rebuttable and shall have the effects and consequences set forth in V.T.C.A., Penal Code section 2.05.
(e) 
Enforcement; penalty.
(1) 
Penalty; impoundment of vehicle or blocking of tires.
Any person found in violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code. When any person refuses to comply with the provisions of this section or in emergency circumstances, then pursuant to V.T.C.A., Local Government Code section 601.001, the offending vehicle may be impounded or the tires blocked to prohibit the vehicle from moving. The impounded vehicle shall be taken into custody and have fees assessed in the same manner as the procedures regarding abandoned motor vehicles.
(2) 
Presumption that owner of vehicle is responsible for violation.
If any vehicle is found in violation of any provision of this section or of state statutes 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 shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the registered owner of such vehicle is the person who committed the violation. This presumption is rebuttable and shall have the effects and consequences set forth in V.T.C.A., Penal Code section 2.05.
(3) 
Evidence of ownership of vehicle.
The state department of transportation’s computer-generated record of the registered vehicle owner is prima facie evidence of the evidence of the contents of the record.
(Ordinance 1075, sec. 1, adopted 10/24/06; 1972 Code, sec. 23-48; Ordinance adopting 2023 Code)