Overgrown weeds, shrubs, grass and vegetation
are fire and safety hazards. The Property owner/occupant is responsible
for the property, which includes the right-of-way abutting the
property.
Grass and weeds
Grass and weeds must be maintained at nine (9) inches or less. Fines:
1st Offense: $50-$1,000
2nd Offense: $100-$1500
3rd Offense: $200-$2,000
Remove any weeds in excess of 9”.
Remove any trash or rubbish accumulating on the property
before cutting weeds.
Obstructions:
Any obstruction that extends over a public sidewalk, street,
or public right-of-way, and creates a public safety hazard.
Fines: Up to $500
Remove any
signs, poles, basketball goals, or other obstructions that
encroach upon a public street, right-of-way, or that block
the sidewalks.
All shrubs
in the right-of-way and on the property must be maintained.
All dead trees
and vegetation must be removed and properly discarded.
Dumpsters on a Public Right-of-Way: Fines: $200-$2,000
Remove the dumpster from the right-of-way, and place it on private
property.
Visible Junk or Inoperable Motor Vehicles: A junked or inoperable vehicle is any vehicle that:
Has
an expired license plate, invalid inspection sticker and is wrecked, dismantled, discarded or is inoperable and remains
inoperable for more than 30 days. Fine: none
The vehicle must be screened by completely enclosing the vehicle
in a building. Car covers, tarps and bamboo shades and other
types of materials are not acceptable screening. Remove or properly
store any vehicle that cannot move under its own power, does
not have a current licence plate or inspection sticker, or is
wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, is discarded, or
that remains continuously inoperable for over 45 days.
Close and secure all windows, doors and other openings on vacant
buildings and structures. Purchase a permit to repair or secure
the building.
Broken Fences: Fine: $200-2,000
Repair the fence and keep it in good repair.
Not Meeting Minimum Building Standards:
It is unlawful for any person to allow a building he has ownership,
control or possession of to be kept or used in violation of
the Minimum Building Standards Ordinance. Minimum Building Standards
include: property, structural, utility, health, light and ventilation
standards for all buildings.
Missing
Address Numbers: Fine: $100-500
Permanently affix the address number assigned to the property
within 18” of the building’s entrance. The numbers must be at
least 3” tall. On commercial buildings, identifying numbers
must be posted within 36” of the primary entrance.
Windows, doors and other openings on vacant
buildings and structures must be kept secured to prevent unauthorized
entry. A property owner may be required to board up a building/structure
if it becomes vacant and is not secured. Storage sheds and garages
must also be secured.
The property owner is responsible for all buildings and structures
on the property.
Vacant and Open Buildings: Fines: $200-$2000
Obtain a building permit, and secure open structures with boards
or other secure materials.
Boats/Trailers: Fines: $200-$2,000
Remove any rubbish or garbage from the boat or trailer. Elevate
the boat or trailer at least 6” from the lot surface. If the
boat is on a trailer, the trailer must be operable.
Appliances Fines: $200-$2,000
Remove and properly dispose of inoperable refrigerators, freezers,
air conditioning units, and other appliances to avoid dangerous
conditions for children, animals, and others.
Open and/or Visible Storage:
Property owners must not store certain materials out in the
open. These materials include dead trees, tires, refuse, glass,
building materials, appliances, and inoperable boats. If a boat
is stored on the property, it must be elevated at least 6 inches
from the lot surface.
Junk, trash, litter and rubbish cannot be deposited or allowed
to accumulate on a lot or street. This includes junked auto parts,
appliances, furniture, building materials, tires, discarded paper,
tree trimmings, cardboard, plastics, fallen tree limbs and other
offensive or objectionable materials.
Discarded
Tires: Fines: $250-$2,000
Remove or properly store any tires.
Improperly Stored or Junked Boats/Trailers: Fines: $200-$2,000
Remove any rubbish or garbage from the boat or trailer. Elevate
the boat or trailer at least 6” from the lot surface. If the
boat is on a trailer, the trailer must be operable.
Abandoned
Appliances Fines: $250-$2,000
Remove or properly store any vehicle that cannot move under
its own power, does not have a current license plate or inspection
sticker, and is wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, is
discarded, or that remains continuously inoperable for over
30 days.
Abandoned/Inoperable Vehicles Fine: $250-2,000
Remove or properly store any vehicle that cannot move under
its own power, does not have a current license plate or inspection
sticker, and is wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, is
discarded, or that remains continuously inoperable for over
30 days.
Rat
Infestation and Harborage:
A property owner/occupant may not accumulate lumber, boxes,
barrels or similar materials that may be used as a harborage
for rats. Control of rat infestations is the responsibility
of the occupant and owner.
Fine: $100-$2,000
Remove garbage, rubbish, lumber, barrels, or materials that
may be used to harbor rats or other rodents. For commercial
property, all materials stored on the lot are to be 18” above
the lot surface with a clear space underneath to prevent harborage
of rats or rodents.
Garbage,
Rubbish, and Trash:
Improperly Placing Garbage or Heavy Trash for City
Pick-Up:
Waste collected by the City is limited to:
Standard waste generated by a residential
user in connection with activities for residential purposes,
i.e. garbage.
Waste generated in connection with the
maintenance of a vacant lot.
Garbage and materials must be placed
on the curbside for collection after 6:00 p.m. on the
Friday preceding your neighborhood’s designated collection
day. Materials placed for collection cannot block the
sidewalk, street or ditch.
Overflowing Dumpsters
Fines:
1st Offense: $50-$1,000
2nd Offense: $100-$1500
3rd Offense: $200-$2,000
Empty the dumpster and dispose of the contents. Remove
any trash, garbage, or rubbish on the ground around the
dumpster.
Dead TreesFines:
$200-$2,000
Remove and properly dispose of dead tree limbs.
Open Excavation Fine: $200-2,000
Fence or fill in open holes with approved
fill material, such as sand or dirt. Building materials,
rubbish, trash, tires or other materials cannot be used
as fill materials.
Eliminate any holes in the ground or
remove containers that collect water and may promote mosquito
breeding.
Discharging
Raw SewageFine: $200-2,000
Correct any conditions that have created the problem whether
it is on private property or on a public right-of-way, and
sanitize the spill area.
Graffiti:
Graffiti is any unauthorized painting, writing, inscription,
initials, slogans, or drawings regardless of content, which
is applied to a wall, building, fence, sign or other structural
surface that is visible from any public property or right-of-way,
or from the private property of another person. The property
owner is responsible for ensuring that any graffiti that
is visible from public or private property, is immediately
removed.
Fine: Up to $500
Remove any unauthorized graffiti or other unauthorized painting,
scratching, writing, inscriptions, initials, slogans, or
drawings.
ABATEMENT BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON:
IF THE OWNER AND/OR OCCUPANT FAIL TO TIMELY COMPLY WITH A
REQUEST TO CORRECT ANY VIOLATIONS, A MUNICIPAL COURT CITATION
MAY BE ISSUED AND/OR THE VIOLATION CORRECTED AT THE OWNER’S
EXPENSE. A LIEN WILL BE FILED TO RECOVER THE CITY’S COST OF
ABATEMENT.
