What happens if you don’t pay your parking tickets in Houston?

Finding parking can be a hassle in Houston, whether in a private or public parking lot. This can be especially difficult at events downtown or in neighborhoods where businesses have limited parking.

Using city-run parking through ParkHouston is often the cheapest option, as the price varies by time and is usually on the street.

But if you don’t watch the clock, you might return to your car and find a parking ticket on your windshield. The Chronicle spoke with Maria Irshad, deputy director of ParkHouston with the City of Houston, about how parking works in the city and what can happen if you have an unpaid parking ticket.

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ParkHouston is a parking entity operated by the City of Houston that manages all paid street parking and 19 parking lots. It allows drivers to park safely and affordably using ParkHouston parking meters or the ParkMobile app depending on location.

When you’re downtown, Midtown, or other urban areas, ParkHouston has visible signs on every block that let you know if you’re allowed to park there.

The City of Houston has 19 paid parking lots as well as paid street parking. Irshad said officers are making rounds, but recommends not leaving anything out in the open or taking valuables with you to avoid theft.

When you use a ParkHouston meter, you can pay with your credit card, cash, or through the ParkHouston app. Tap your license plate number into the meter or app to pay for parking, then go about your day.

The ParkHouston app allows you to add time to your stay as needed. If your app warns you that your time is running out on your phone, you have the option to add additional time for an additional cost.

Irshad said that generally you will only see one meter on each block and after paying there is no need to put your ticket/receipt on your dashboard as it is in the system.

Irshad said parking in downtown Houston is limited in some locations from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. because commuters come to the city to make it easy for them to get to work. Some mobility lanes may also prohibit parking from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate the afternoon rush. The majority of ParkHouston meters operate Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Irshad said if you don’t see a no parking symbol on the street, you should still look at the meter to see what the hours of operation are. Hours may vary in certain areas. For example, meters may stay on after 6 p.m. in areas such as Washington and Midtown.

Irshad said if you see a red bag above the meter, it means no parking allowed, which usually happens during large events.

“What I like to tell people when they come, if you come for a big event in town and you find a parking lot that’s too good to be true, it’s probably too good to be true, don’t take a chance” , she said. said.

Street parking in Houston is free after hours, as indicated on street signs. After hours, the meter will turn off and the ParkHouston app will no longer ask you to pay.

If you overstay your parking time or fail to pay for street parking, you can return to your decorated car with a parking ticket ranging from $25 to $300 depending on the violation.

“Parking tickets are civil citations, so there is no arrest warrant or anything associated with parking tickets,” Irshad said. “You will not be arrested; you will not have to go to traffic court.

Although the citations are civil, Irshad said the tickets can end up becoming expensive.

When you receive a quote, you have 30 days to pay online, by mail, by phone or in person. On the 31st day, if the ticket is still not paid, it will be considered overdue and you will receive a $25 late fee. On day 90, if the amount is still not paid, it will be sent to a collection agency, an additional 30% fee will be added.

Irshad said if you have more than three delinquent parking tickets or one delinquent parking ticket in an accessible location without a valid placard, your car could be booted or towed.

Once the vehicle is started, the city gives the customer up to 72 hours to resolve the issue before it is towed.

To pick up your boot, you can go to HOU.MYBOOTINFO.COM or call 833-552-0380 to make payment by plate number. After receiving a build code to remove your boot, put the boot back in one of the designated locations.

It is possible to fight a parking ticket, Irshad said. “Every client has the right to challenge the citation they received if they believe it was unjustified or unfair, they have the right to go see a hearing officer.”

The City of Houston gives you 30 calendar days to contest your citation online to enter a statement that will be reviewed by a hearing officer who will allow you to give your explanation and add photos. Clients can also come without an appointment to the courthouse at 1400 Lubbock, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Irshad said drivers should be careful of people posing as parking attendants and accepting payments on private land. She said paid parking lots are required to post signs indicating where to pay, how to pay or who to pay.

“Just because someone is sitting there with a safety vest on doesn’t mean they actually work for that private parking operator,” she said. “Look for the parking lot logo.”

Irshad said ParkHouston would never send staff to street parking spaces or lots to ask for money. ParkHouston will still require drivers to pay at a parking meter.