Heights MKT Parnership is working to make changes that would promote walkability and a more vibrant neighborhood. Many of the current restrictions on development, including building setbacks and minimum parking requirements, make it difficult to create the kinds of places we love—like 19th Street or historic Main Street in Downtown Houston.

Building Setbacks. Houston requires buildings to be set back 25 feet from the curb, making it nearly impossible to build pedestrian-friendly, street-activated storefronts. Instead, these rules force developers to put parking in front, prioritizing cars over people.

Minimum Parking Requirements. Houston’s codes mandate excessive parking, which discourages small businesses, drives up development costs, and makes neighborhoods less walkable. While the city has created programs like Walkable Places to allow for alternatives, we need stronger community advocacy to expand these policies.

The result are streets with buildings too far from the sidewalks, separated by too much parking because the parking requirements increase as you build more. And this all accentuates our car-dependence all throughout Houston.

Did you know?

Many of the most beloved streetscapes in Houston—like 19th Street in the Heights—would not be legal to build today under current rules. By advocating for positive changes, we can help shape a Heights that reflects the community’s vision for the future.