Those darned neighbors who park their cars on the street instead of their driveways create quite a nuisance! When their guests do it too, other drivers are often forced into oncoming lanes. This was the second most complained about annoyance by Canyon Falls residents during the Board Walk About, second to people speeding in our small community.  It’s a persistent problem and we do not know what the solution is as the Association has no regulations or covenants on street parking. This is a problem in many other communities around the nation. The only solution that we can think of is to educate our community so people will be considerate and good neighbors to use the six (6) parking spots that each home is provided with on their property (2 in garage, 4 in driveway). Why is this such an issue in our neighborhood and others?

We have had several incidents where cars have been sideswiped because they have parked on the street and people need to get by on the tight roadway. Visitors for a party should do what they can to park using one of the hosts 6 parking spots. What is irritating to residents are when guests at a party parks in a manner that makes is hard for a resident to pull out of their own driveways. If cars are parked on both sides of the road, one can barely get a car thru. What about an ambulance??

Street parking inhibits the safe movement of fire apparatus, ambulances, law enforcement vehicles, school buses, U.S. Mail and utility vehicles. Additionally, it causes an unsafe environment for pedestrians to move freely around their neighborhood, especially small children. Emergency vehicles have difficulty navigating tight streets with many car parked on it which takes away precious minutes to help those in need. It’s a danger to children as it blocks the driver’s line of sight and they cannot see a child that darts out from behind a vehicle. 

Specific Texas parking laws

Texas parking laws are listed under the state’s Transportation Code Section 545.301. Law enforcement appreciates your attention to these state laws and just as importantly your consideration of a safe neighborhood. Here is a summary:

Section 545.302 Stopping, Standing, or Parking Prohibited in Certain Places.

a) An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle:

·  On the roadway side of a vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;

·  On a sidewalk;

·  In an intersection;

·  On a crosswalk;

·  Between safety zone & adjacent curb or within 30 feet on the curb opposite of the safety zone;

·  Where an official sign prohibits stopping or other Texas parking law prohibits parking.

b) An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand or park an

    occupied or unoccupied vehicle:

Section 545.303 Additional Parking Regulations

· A vehicle must be parked parallel to a curb and be parked within 18 inches of the curb.

If you have one of those annoying neighbors, take a moment and speak honestly with kindness with them about the parking problem and the negative impact it is having. Even take a copy of this newsletter.  If you are a “street parker” please be a considerate neighbor and use your driveway!

For Texas State law parking violations contact: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office @ 936-442-7797, #3.