Houston parking ticket fines
An expired meter costs $30 in Houston and parking at a fire hydrant costs $105. Parking tickets go to the city, not traffic court.
Expired meter$30
Fire hydrant$105
Disabled space$500
Most expensive$500parked in a handicapped zone
What does each parking ticket cost in Houston?
The steepest Houston parking ticket is parked in a handicapped zone at $500, 16.7 times the $30 for an expired meter. The cheapest is overtime parking at $30.
| Ticket | Fine |
|---|---|
| Expired parking meterRises to $55 after 30 days. | $30[12] |
| Overtime parkingRises to $55 after 30 days. | $30[12] |
| Parked in a bus zoneRises to $75 after 30 days. | $50[12] |
| Within 15 feet of a fire hydrantRises to $155 after 30 days. | $105[12] |
| Blocking a private drivewayRises to $65 after 30 days. | $40[12] |
| Within 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersectionRises to $65 after 30 days. | $40[12] |
| Double parkedRises to $65 after 30 days. | $40[12] |
| Parked in a handicapped zoneRises to $600 after 30 days. | $500[12] |
| No parking anytimeRises to $65 after 30 days. | $40[12] |
| Parked in a fire laneRises to $355 after 30 days. | $305[12] |
| Blocking or parking on a sidewalkRises to $65 after 30 days. | $40[12] |
| Parked in a tow-away zoneRises to $105 after 30 days. | $70[12] |
| Parking in a dedicated bicycle laneRises to $150 after 30 days. | $100[12] |
| Parked more than 18 inches from the curbRises to $65 after 30 days. | $40[12] |
How do you pay or fight a Houston parking ticket?
Who handles it
ParkHouston, part of the City of Houston, issues and collects parking citations. Contested citations go to the Parking Adjudication Office.[13]
Pay a Houston parking ticket online[14]
How to contest it
You have 30 days from the citation date to contest. You can contest online or in person at the Parking Adjudication Office at 1400 Lubbock. Online hearings are final, so submit all your evidence at once.[13]
If you pay late
You have 30 days to pay the fine. After 30 days a higher delinquent amount is due, and after 90 days an extra 30 percent collection fee is added.[12][13]
How do Houston parking fines compare with other big cities?
At $30, the Houston expired meter fine is number 10 of 15 among the big cities listed here.
| City | Expired meter | Fire hydrant |
|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $30 | $105 |
| New York, NY | $35–$65 | $115 |
| Chicago, IL | $50–$70 | $150 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $26–$36 | $76 |
| San Diego, CA | $42.5 | $104.5 |
| Dallas, TX | $90 | Not published |
| Jacksonville, FL | $15 | $25 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $40 | $105 |
| Columbus, OH | $70 | $90 |
| Charlotte, NC | $25 | Not published |
| Indianapolis, IN | $20 | $75 |
| San Francisco, CA | $107–$108 | $108 |
| Seattle, WA | $65 | $69 |
| Denver, CO | $35 | $35 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $15–$24 | Not published |
Got a speeding or other moving ticket in Houston?
Moving violations go to the courts, not the parking agency, and they can bring points and higher insurance. See the local court's fines. Texas ticket rules. Do parking tickets affect your license?
What else do people ask?
How much is a parking ticket in Houston?
It depends on the violation. An expired meter is $30. Parking at a fire hydrant is $105. The most expensive common ticket is parked in a handicapped zone at $500.
What happens if I pay a Houston parking ticket late?
You have 30 days to pay the fine. After 30 days a higher delinquent amount is due, and after 90 days an extra 30 percent collection fee is added.
How do I fight a Houston parking ticket?
You have 30 days from the citation date to contest. You can contest online or in person at the Parking Adjudication Office at 1400 Lubbock. Online hearings are final, so submit all your evidence at once.
Does a parking ticket add points to my license?
No. A parking ticket is not a moving violation, so it adds no points and does not show on the driving record insurers check. Unpaid tickets can still lead to holds or a boot.
Sources (3)
- Parking Codes, Regulations and Fine Information, City of Houston ParkHouston.
- Resolve a Citation, City of Houston ParkHouston.
- Pay a Citation, City of Houston ParkHouston.