Vehicle Idling refers to the use of primary propulsion engine vehicle, where the engine is in use but the vehicle is not moving. An example of this is when someone turns their car on to let the A/C heat or cool the vehicle before taking a trip. Reducing vehicle idling can sometimes be inconvenient but unnecessary run times on engines can generate unhealthy air pollution and for heavy duty vehicle its against the law- depending on where the vehicle is parked!

Vehicle Idling Restrictions in Central Texas

Heavy-duty vehicle idling is prohibited in all of Travis and Bastrop Counties and the following cities in:

• City of Austin
• City of Bastrop
• City of Elgin
• City of Georgetown
• City of Hutto
• City of Lockhart
• City of Round Rock
• City of San Marcos

The cities listed above implement these restrictions through their codes of ordinances as home-rule cities.

Travis and Bastrop Counties implement the idling restrictions under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) idling restrictions under the state's Locally Enforced Heavy-Duty Vehicle Idling Rule. The City of Austin, Bastrop County, and Travis County have an idling ordinance and an MOA with TCEQ.

• TCEQ's Locally Enforced Heavy-Duty Vehicle Idling Rule

Report Heavy Duty Vehicle Idling

If you see a parked heavy duty vehicle with its engine running for more than 5 consecutive minutes anywhere in Travis County or the jurisdictional boundaries of the cities of Bastrop, Elgin, Georgetown, Hutto, Lockhart, Round Rock, and San Marcos, write down its license number, as well as the date, time and location of the occurrence and report the idling activity within 30 days in order to enable local authorities to address the situation. Reporting is anonymous.

• Report online
• Report by phone: 512-343-SMOG (7664) within 30 days of the incident