Uncovering The Truth: Parking On Lawns In Texas Neighborhoods Revealed

We have all seen it right? Maybe one or two vehicles in your neighborhood and at least one of them are parked on the lawn. Man, I can remember the neighborhood I grew up in there was one house that had like 3 vehicles on the lawn. I mean, there was no more room on the driveway or street for cars. And, honestly didn't think much of it then. But, did you know that most cities and towns have ordinances about parking vehicles on lawns? Is it illegal to park your car on the lawn?

• THERE ARE NO LAWS AGAINST IT BUT THERE ARE ORDINANCES IN DIFFERENT CITIES AND TOWNS THAT PREVENT IT! 

Officially there is no law for parking your vehicles on lawns in Texas but here's the catch there are ORDINANCES against it! Yep, every city or town has its own ordinances for parking cars and vehicles on lawns.

According to foliargarden.com...

There’s no state law against parking on the grass in Texas, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Most municipalities have ordinances against it, because it can damage the lawn and create mud when it rains. If you’re caught parking on the grass, you could be fined or towed.

So while you technically can park on the grass in Texas, it’s not advisable.

• MOST CITIES AND TOWNS WILL FINE YOU FOR IT!

So, while there isn't a LAW, each town and city has its own ordinances AGAINST PARKING on your lawn. Each of those ordinances may carry different fines. And, most of those ordinances may be just for FRONT LAWNS and some may just be within city limits. They will differ from county to county in the state of texas.

Here are some examples from Texas Cities...

Dallas - From cbsdfw.com...

The Dallas Police Department has become very good at enforcing a city ordinance against parking on grass within city limits,

San Antonio - From 311.sanantonio.gov/

This service request addresses front/side yard parking concern where a vehicle is illegally parked on an unpaved or unimproved surfaces in a residential yard.

The City will investigate within 3 working days and issue a parking ticket or warning if witnessed upon arrival of the code officer.  The case is closed after the vehicle is removed from the yard or when no violation is found. The City will work diligently to get the property into compliance. If property continues with non compliance a case may be filed in Municipal Court after 3 parking tickets are issued for the same vehicle within 90 working days.

Midland -Odessa Texas

Is it against City Code to have vehicles parked on the lawn? Yes, vehicles should not be parked on an unpaved surface.

Austin, Texas

In Austin, not all neighborhoods may have opted into such an ordinance...austintexas. gov says...

Not all neighborhoods have opted into the ordinance that does not allow parking in the yard (City Code Chapter 12-5-29 FRONT OR SIDE YARD PARKING). City of Austin Code is responsible for enforcement of this ordinance.