Common Code Violations

Vehicles are an important part of our everyday life. Where and how vehicles are kept can create safety hazards and affect the value of a neighborhood. Local ordinances and state laws regulate parked vehicles.

Parking unhitched trailers and recreation vehicles

Unhitched trailers parked on city streets are unsightly and can create a safety problem. Parking unhitched trailers on city streets is not permitted.

Parking on unimproved surfaces

This is often known as yard parking. Vehicles are not allowed to park on any residential lot unless the parking surface is improved.

No parking zones

Local ordinance follows state law in prohibiting parking in places that are marked by signs or curb markings.

Parking on a street for more than 48 hours

A vehicle or other property left unattended for more than 48 hours is declared a nuisance and may be impounded.

Parking next to buildings

It is unlawful to park within 20 feet of a commercial building. Designated as fire lanes, most buildings in Portland have signs and pavement markings to comply with this ordinance

Overnight truck parking

Parking vehicles with a carrying capacity exceeding 1-1/2 tons on city streets is prohibited.

Vehicles used to transport exlosives, flammables, poisons, etc.

With certain exceptions, it is generally unlawful to drive or park vehicles carrying certain dangerous materials in the city.

Parking over a sidewalk

A common complaint from citizens is vehicles blocking sidewalks. The Texas Transportation Code prohibits this and includes a number of other parking regulations over and above city ordinances.

Trees or plants that hang lower than seven (7) feet above a sidewalk pose as a hazard for pedestrians. Walking into a low hanging branch can cause serious injury. Trees that hang lower than fourteen (14) feet above the street surface pose as a hazard for emergency vehicles and larger trucks.

Reason for Regulation

Trees and vegetation compliment residential neighborhoods. They can become a serious hazard if allowed to become an obstruction to pedestrians and vehicles.

Solution

According to the ordinance (link) trees and plants must be kept trimmed to allow a seven (7) foot clearance above sidewalks and a fourteen (14) foot clearance above the street surface.

Penalties

Violations of this ordinance can result in a fine up to $500. Each day that a violation is allowed to continue can result in a separate fine. In addition to a fine, the City may bring a civil suit if the violation damages City property.

The Unified Development Ordinance, Section 712, establishes guidelines for both business use signs and those that may be posted by the general public, including signs for community events, garage sales, and political campaigns.

Reason for Regulation

Signs can be valuable resources for advertising or promoting services, products, issues and events. However, they can also make a community unsightly, create traffic safety problems by obstructing the field of vision of motorists, and create nuisances for nearby properties.

Solutions

Before installing any sign any where, check the sign ordinance. Signs are regulated for size, location, and in some cases the length of time they are posted. Because of the many variables possible with signs, the sign ordinance can be confusing. If you are having difficulty interpreting the ordinance, call the Building Department at 361.777.4550..

Penalties

Any person, firm, or corporation that violates, disobeys, omits, neglects, or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $200 for each offense. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.