How does it work?

• Smart Loading Zones use license plate reading technology that analyzes real-time curbside activity and automates payment for the exact time a vehicle spends at the curb.
• Vehicles using the Smart Loading Zones should register with CurbPass at curbpass.io/houston. This one-time registration enable access to all Smart Loading Zones in the city.
• Registration is only required one time – after that, all future billing for use of the zone will be done automatically through the license plate reading technology.
• Vehicles not registered will receive an invoice in the mail.
• Vehicles with ParkHouston loading permits can use the Smart Loading Zones for the duration allowed by their permit and will then be charged the Smart Loading Zones rates if they stay longer.
• Smart Loading Zones are enforced Monday through Saturday. Hours vary by location — check the sign at each zone for its specific hours. Zones are not enforced on Sundays or on city-observed holidays.

Map of Zones

Smart Loading Zone rates are set to encourage quick, efficient loading and unloading. This pricing structure promotes turnover so more drivers can access the curb and helps reduce double parking by keeping space available.

• 0–10 minutes: $0.06/min (max $0.60)
• 11–20 minutes: $0.12/min (max $1.80)
• 21–30 minutes: $0.15/min (max $3.30)
• 31–60 minutes: $0.19/min (max $9.00)

Can I park in a smart loading zone if I am not a registered user?
To avoid a mailed invoice, your vehicle needs to either hold an active ParkHouston commercial loading-zone permit (Class A, B, C, or D) or be registered with a CurbPass account that has a payment method on file. Vehicles without one of these will receive a parking invoice in the mail to the registered owner, which includes administrative fees.

How do I register my vehicle?
You can register your vehicle by scanning the QR code on the sign, or at https://curbpass.io/houston.

Are there any restrictions on who can register?
Any driver may register their vehicle, including individual drivers, commercial delivery drivers, fleets, and TNCs.

I have a Commercial Loading Zone permit. Do I have to register?
It is recommended to create a CurbPass account if you use the Smart Loading Zones  If your vehicle has an active ParkHouston commercial loading-zone permit, your license plate is automatically recognized at every Smart Loading Zone. You’ll receive the free loading time included with your permit class before the per-minute rate applies:

• Class A: 2 hours of free loading
• Class B: 1 hour of free loading
• Class C: 30 minutes of free loading
• Class D (temporary, valid 21 days): 1 hour of free loading

Time beyond your included window is charged at the Smart Loading Zone per-minute rate. We recommend creating a CurbPass account at curbpass.io/houston so any extra time is charged automatically instead of mailed as an invoice.

When are the zones enforced?
Smart Loading Zones are enforced Monday through Saturday. Hours vary by location — typically 7 a.m.–6 p.m., 7 a.m.–4 p.m., 9 a.m.–6 p.m., or 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Each zone’s enforcement hours are posted on the sign. Zones are not enforced on Sundays or on city-observed holidays.

What happens if I don’t pay when I park?
An invoice will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.. The first invoice includes the parking cost (based on the number of minutes parked) plus a $10 administrative fee. If the first invoice goes unpaid:

• A 2nd notice is mailed 30 days later with a $15 administrative fee.
• A 3rd and final notice is mailed 60 days after the first notice with a $25 administrative fee.

Who do I contact for CurbPass account issues?
Automotus Customer Support
Phone: 714-769-8192
Email: houston_support@automotus.co

Unlike a surveillance system or traditional camera recording system, Automotus’s technology captures only three specific types of data:

• Vehicle license plate information for the sole purpose of automatically processing parking payments
• De-identified traffic and curb activity metadata to inform smarter policies
• De-identified sample image data to train the technology

License plate information is the only form of personally identifiable information that Automotus collects and it never captures or shares this information for any purpose other than to facilitate automated payment.
For more information, you can review Automotus’s full policy on its website: https://www.automotus.co/privacypolicy