Houston has prohibited standing, walking, or sitting on median strips less than six feet wide under a new ordinance passed Wednesday.
Houston City Council members approved the ordinance in an 11-2 vote.
Councilmember Mary Nan Huffman, who introduced the ordinance, explained that medians of this size were never designed for pedestrians and have become increasingly dangerous with Houston’s traffic.
The new rule adds section 45-111 to the city’s code of ordinances, classifying sitting, standing, or walking on narrow medians as a Class C misdemeanor—punishable by a fine of up to $500. Exceptions are included for pedestrians crossing the road, city workers with permits, or other legally authorized activities.
Explaining the intent behind the measure, Huffman said, “This is 100 percent about public safety. We’ve seen too many close calls—people with children, pets, even wheelchairs standing in areas that were never meant for foot traffic.”
Kristyn Stillwell, founder and executive director of H.O.P.E. Haven, an organization helping the homeless get off the streets, also voiced support for the change. “We do street outreach throughout Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. We have been working with [the] homeless for 15 years. We have had many clients hit by motor vehicles [while] panhandling. It is very lucrative for them; they make a minimum of $40 an hour. When their needs and wants are met, they are not willing to let us help them get off the streets.”
Huffman emphasized that enforcement will largely be up to the discretion of Houston police officers. “HPD officers have discretion. We expect they’ll start by educating people about the new rules before issuing any fines,” she said.
This is the latest in a series of city efforts to address homelessness. In July, the city council adopted a 24-hour “civility ordinance” in downtown and East Downtown as part of a pilot program to reshape Houston’s broader response to homelessness.
Separately, the city also announced a change to its public comment sessions. Normally held Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m., they will now begin at 5:30 p.m. for the rest of 2025. Before the change, an average of 45 speakers typically signed up. This week, more than 90 residents were able to attend and share their concerns.
According to a joint social media post from the mayor’s office and the City of Houston, “This change in time was made to give the community more opportunities to engage and voice their concerns to their elected officials.”
