At an April 12 meeting, Houston City Council members approved an ordinance to allow for sidewalk performances.

This ordinance amends chapters 28 and 40 of Houston's code of ordinances. These chapters were found to be unconstitutional and in violation of the First Amendment by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Barilla v. city of Houston, in which professional musician Anthony Barilla sued the city to busk for tips.

In addition to repealing language from the chapters found unconstitutional, the ordinance requires performers to apply for permits—which would be good for one year—to perform on sidewalks in Houston's Theater District.