HOUSTON—Everything may be bigger in Texas, but the definition of “large vehicle” may be about to get smaller.

This week, the Houston City Council will take up a measure designed to help people frustrated by neighbors who park large vehicles and trailers on city streets.

Under the new rules, any vehicle longer than 22 feet would be banned from parking on residential streets between 3 p.m. and 7 a.m. Currently, the limit is 30 feet—and the ban only applies after 6 p.m.

Council Member Toni Lawrence says she decided to look into the city’s rules on overnight truck parking after a controversy in October 2006, when residents complained about trucks parked at an east Houston dairy farm.

“They should not be in that neighborhood,” Lawrence said. “We’re cutting out those types of vehicles that speed through neighborhoods to get to their client.”

That would include big rigs, tow trucks and moving vans, too.

One big exception to the ban would be vehicles that are actively making a delivery, working on a construction project or loading and unloading cargo.  They would still be allowed to park.

Incidentally, the ban itself could get tougher by the time it comes up for a vote.  Sources tell 11 News the 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. ban could be 24 hours by the time it reaches the city council table.