How Much Is a Parking Ticket in Houston?
Parking tickets in Houston range from $35 to $64. An expired meter costs $42. The most expensive violation is school zone at $64. Late penalties add 50% after 30 days.
Quick Answer
The most common parking ticket in Houston is expired meter at $42. The most expensive is school zone at $64.
All Parking Fine Amounts in Houston
| Violation | Fine | Late Fee (30+ days) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Zone | $64 | $96 | Parked in a school zone during restricted hours |
| Too Close to Intersection | $61 | $92 | Parked within 20-30 feet of an intersection (varies by city) |
| No Standing Zone | $60 | $90 | Vehicle stopped in a no-standing zone (driver present or not) |
| Fire Hydrant | $59 | $89 | Parked within 15 feet (or local requirement) of a fire hydrant |
| Handicap Zone | $59 | $89 | Parked in an accessible space without a valid placard or plate |
| Wrong Direction | $57 | $86 | Parked facing against the direction of traffic |
| Bike Lane | $54 | $81 | Parked or stopped in a designated bicycle lane |
| Street Cleaning Violation | $53 | $80 | Parked during posted street sweeping hours |
| Commercial Zone | $52 | $78 | Non-commercial vehicle parked in a commercial loading zone |
| Blocking Driveway | $51 | $77 | Parked across or blocking a private driveway |
| No Parking Zone | $49 | $74 | Parked in a signed no-parking area |
| Snow Emergency | $49 | $74 | Parked on a snow emergency route during a declared snow emergency |
| Unpaid Meter | $48 | $72 | Failed to pay any amount at a metered space |
| Residential Permit Zone | $45 | $68 | Parked in a permit zone without a valid residential permit |
| Overtime Parking | $44 | $66 | Exceeded posted time limit in a time-restricted zone |
| Crosswalk | $44 | $66 | Parked within a marked crosswalk or within 20 feet of one |
| Too Far from Curb | $44 | $66 | Parked more than 12-18 inches from the curb (varies by city) |
| Expired Meter | $42 | $63 | Time on a metered space has expired |
| Fire Lane | $42 | $63 | Parked in a designated fire lane |
| Sidewalk | $40 | $60 | Vehicle parked on or blocking a sidewalk |
| Double Parked | $39 | $59 | Parked alongside another vehicle already at the curb |
| No Stopping Zone | $37 | $56 | Vehicle stopped for any reason in a no-stopping zone |
| Bus Lane / Bus Stop | $36 | $54 | Parked or stopped in a designated bus lane or bus stop |
| Expired Registration | $35 | $53 | Vehicle parked on public street with expired registration |
Fine amounts based on published municipal fee schedules. Amounts may change. Always verify with official city sources.
Late Penalties
Unpaid parking tickets in Houston increase by approximately 50% after 30 days and may double after 60 days. After 90 days, additional administrative fees and collections referral may apply.
What Happens If You Don't Pay
What happens after an unpaid parking ticket in Houston:
Initial citation
Day 0Base fine amount due
Late penalty
+30 daysFine increases 50-100% (varies by city)
Second notice
+60 daysAdditional administrative fee ($10-25)
Collections referral
+90 daysSent to collections agency; may affect credit
Registration hold
+120 daysDMV hold — cannot renew vehicle registration
Boot/tow eligible
+150 daysVehicle subject to booting or towing at owner expense
Judgment
+180 daysCourt judgment; wage garnishment possible in some jurisdictions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive parking ticket in Houston?
How much does an expired meter ticket cost in Houston?
Do parking ticket fines double in Houston?
Want to contest a ticket? You have 30 days. How to fight a parking ticket in Houston