HOUSTON – Members of the Houston City Council have approved a new measure that aims to keep pedestrians off narrow medians to reduce serious accidents and save lives.
The proposal, which passed in an 11-2 vote, now makes it illegal to sit, stand, or walk on median strips six feet wide or less, or in divided roadways without a median. Council Members Tiffany Thomas and Letitia Plummer were the only ones who voted against.
According to Council Member Mary Nan Huffman, these medians were never designed for pedestrians and have become increasingly dangerous, especially on high-speed roads like Westheimer.
“This is 100% about public safety,” Huffman said. “We’ve seen too many close calls — people with children, pets, even wheelchairs standing in areas that were never meant for foot traffic.”
The ordinance would create Section 45-111 of the Houston Code of Ordinances. It would make it a Class C misdemeanor, subject to a fine of up to $500, for people who sit, stand, or walk on median strips that are six feet wide or less, or in the space between divided roads where no median exists.
The ordinance includes exceptions, such as:
- Pedestrians crossing the road directly,
- Emergency situations,
- Authorized city work with proper permits,
- Or other legally permitted activities.
“We’ve had constituents tell us they’ve seen people with children, pets, even individuals in wheelchairs trying to balance on medians just a few feet wide,” Huffman said.
While some have voiced concern that the measure could unfairly target Houston’s unhoused residents or those soliciting help on the streets, Huffman made clear that’s not the goal.
“It’s 100% about public safety,” Huffman said. “They were installed to keep drivers on both sides of the roads safe. We don’t want humans standing on them.”
KPRC 2 reached out to several homeless advocacy groups for comment.
A spokesperson for the Star of Hope said they were not commenting at this time.
Kristyn Stillwell, Founder and Executive Director of H.O.P.E. Haven, provided this statement:
“We do street outreach throughout Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. We have been working with homeless for 15 years. We have had many clients hit by motor vehicles from 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.”
How enforcement would work
If passed, the ordinance would go into effect immediately. However, Huffman says officers will likely begin with warnings, not citations.
“HPD officers have discretion,” she said. “We expect they’ll start by educating people about the new rules before issuing any fines.”
Violations would be treated like other Class C misdemeanors, which carry a fine of up to $500.
The ordinance is expected to come before City Council Wednesday, August 27.
“We’re not trying to make things harder for people,” Huffman added. “We’re trying to keep them alive.”