Car Lockout in Houston, TX

Downtown garages and the tunnel

The McKinney Garage on Main is one of only two buildings that open directly from the street into Houston's downtown tunnel system. Every other way in runs through connected buildings, and the tunnel generally keeps weekday business hours only. If a lockout happens in or near that garage after hours or on a weekend, plan to wait at street level rather than in the tunnel.

For a lockout in any downtown garage, give the garage name, the level and space number, and whether the entrance has a gate or an attendant.

Locked out at the curb

Under Sec. 26-93 of the Houston Code of Ordinances, a vehicle may not knowingly be left on a public street, alley or other public place for more than 24 continuous hours. Most lockouts end long before that, but one that turns into a lost-key problem can leave a car at the curb overnight. After a 311 report, a ParkHouston officer marks the car with chalk and logs a courtesy warning. The car key replacement page covers what follows if the keys are gone. This is general information, not legal advice.

Heat, children and pets

If a child, a pet or anyone who cannot get out is locked inside, call 911 now. A closed car in the sun can become dangerously hot, so do not wait for a locksmith when someone is inside.

Keys inside or keys missing

Say which case you are in. If you can see the keys in the cabin or know they are in the trunk, the door is the problem. If the keys are lost or stolen, the problem is the missing key, and the fix is a new one cut or programmed to the car.

What to send

• the address or cross streets, or the garage name, level and space
• the year, make, model and color
• where the keys are: inside the car, in the trunk, or lost
• whether the engine is running
• photo ID and registration, if they are not locked inside, to show the car is yours

The car lockout page covers the service; more about the city is on the Houston page.