At KPRC 2, we’re dedicated to keeping Houstonians informed. As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston.
Question: Are businesses legally permitted to block off part of public streets to use as valet parking?
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Answer: No, according to the City of Houston’s Valet Ordinance. Valet parking service providers do not have any property right in or to the use of any street.
Furthermore, the ordinance states that “it is unlawful for any permittee to utilize any place on the roadway that is not a valet zone as a pick-up and drop-off point.”
According to the ordinance, a valet zone is defined as “the area or space officially designated by a traffic engineer as a pick-up and drop-off zone within a roadway as indicated by appropriate signs or markings for the use of valet parking service providers operating under permit issued by the city.”
Therefore, unless a business has obtained approval by a traffic engineer or parking official, public streets should not be utilized for valet parking service.
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