Code Compliance

 Working to Keep Benbrook Clean and Safe

Code compliance is an effort to help keep Benbrook safe and clean by investigating complaints and inspecting properties within the city to enforce City ordinances related to nuisances and zoning violations. The most common Code violations include high grass and weeds, trash and rubbish accumulation, placing refuse out too soon for collection, junked vehicles, parking on grass, and living or sleeping in recreational vehicles parked on residential lots. The City is authorized to pursue criminal and civil remedies to abate nuisances within Benbrook.

Why is Code Compliance Important?

Concerned citizens who take good care of their property and notify the City of Code violations help:

• protect the safety and welfare of Benbrook citizens,
• maintain or increase property values,
• reduce vandalism,
• prevent fires, and
• bolster maintenance and continued development in the city.

REPORTING VIOLATIONS

Report violations to the Code Compliance Department at 249-2752 ext. 6110. It is especially helpful to provide an exact description of the complaint (such as “junked vehicle parked in front yard”) and the complete address of the property in which the violation occurred. If the complete address is unknown, please provide the block number and street name.

Visit the links below for a summary of the most common Code violations and the processes used to eliminate them.

High Weeds and Grass
Trash and Rubbish
Refuse Collection
Junked Vehicles
Parking on Grass
RV's and RV Parking Restrictions

HIGH WEEDS AND GRASS

High grass and weeds pose a fire hazard as well as a health hazard, harboring mosquitoes, snakes, and rats. It is a violation of Chapter 8.08.010, Subsection A, of the Benbrook Municipal Code for a property owner to permit a general growth of grass or weeds greater than 10 inches in height. For property of two acres or more, property owners are responsible for mowing the first 100 feet adjacent to a public right-of-way or property line of occupied property.

Upon receipt of a complaint or observation of high grass and weeds by the Code Compliance Department, the property owner is notified and given 10 days to correct the violation. If the property owner fails to mow the property, a citation will be issued. The City may do the work and charge the mowing expenses and a $100 administrative fee to the property owner. If the property owner fails to pay mowing expenses, the City will obtain a lien against the property.

Property owners are given only one written notice per calendar year. Subsequent violations may be abated by the City without further notice and will result in the automatic issuance of a citation.

A person who violates Chapter 8.08.010, Subsection A, or who fails to perform an act required by this chapter commits an offense. A person commits a separate offense each day or portion of a day during which a violation is committed, permitted, or continued. Each separate offense under this chapter is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000 and not less than:

• $50 for the first offense;
• $100 for the second offense within any 12-month period; and
• $250 for the third offense within any 12-month period.

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TRASH AND RUBBISH

It is a violation of Chapter 8.08.010, Subsection A, of the Benbrook Municipal Code for a property owner to permit rubbish, brush, or other unsanitary or unsightly matter, including, but not limited to trash, garbage, junk appliances or machinery to accumulate or be present upon the property.

Upon receipt of a complaint or observation of unsanitary or unsightly matter by the Code Compliance Department, the property owner is notified and given 10 days to correct the violation. If the property owner fails to remove the unsanitary/unsightly matter, a citation will be issued. The City may do the work and charge the abatement expenses and a $100 administrative fee to the property owner. If the property owner fails to pay abatement expenses, the City will obtain a lien against the property.

Property owners are given only one written notice per calendar year. Subsequent violations may be abated by the City without further notice and will result in the automatic issuance of a citation.

A person who violates Chapter 8.08.010, Subsection A, or fails to perform an act required by this chapter commits an offense. A person commits a separate offense each day or portion of a day during which a violation is committed, permitted, or continued. Each separate offense under this chapter is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000 and not less than:

• $50 for the first offense;
• $100 for the second offense within any 12-month period; and
• $250 for the third offense within any 12-month period.
  

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REFUSE COLLECTION

The City of Benbrook requires by ordinance that all residents utilize curbside refuse service (provided by Trinity Waste Services). Regular household refuse, recycling, bulk, and brush is collected once per week, on Wednesdays, and must be placed at curbside before 7:00 AM. Refuse must be placed in closed plastic bags, whether or not a garbage can is used. It is a violation of Ordinance 642 to place refuse on the curb earlier than 5:00 PM on Tuesday evening, the day prior to the designated day for refuse collection. Placing refuse out too soon for collection may result in the issuance of a citation.

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JUNKED VEHICLES

A junked vehicle is defined as a vehicle that is self-propelled and inoperable and:

• does not lawfully have attached to it: 
• an unexpired license plate/decal; or
• a valid vehicle inspection decal; or
• is wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, or discarded; and
• has remained inoperable for 30 days.

A junked vehicle is a public nuisance if it is visible from a public place or right-of-way.

Upon receipt of a complaint or observation of a junked vehicle by the Code Compliance Department, violators are notified and given 10 days to correct the nuisance. If the violator fails to remove the vehicle, a citation will be issued. If the violation continues to exist, the City may remove and dispose of the vehicle and/or parts.

According to Section 10.44.020 of the Benbrook Municipal Code, a person commits an offense if he or she fails to remove a junked vehicle from public view. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000. Each day an offense occurs constitutes a separate offense. Benbrook Municipal Court may issue any necessary orders to enforce this section.



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PARKING ON GRASS

Ordinance 1002 requires all automotive vehicles, recreational vehicles and trailers of any kind to be parked on a concrete or asphalt surface not less than 9 feet by 18 feet. Violation of this ordinance may result in a fine not to exceed $2,000. Each day that a violation exists constitutes a separate offense.



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RV'S

A recreational vehicle is a vehicle towed or self-propelled on its own chassis or attached to the chassis of another vehicle and designed or used for temporary dwelling, recreational, or sporting purposes. The term “recreational vehicle” includes, but is not limited to, travel trailers, pick-up campers, camping trailers, motor homes, converted trucks and buses, boats, and boat trailers.

Recreational Vehicle Parking Restrictions

Ordinance 1002 allows no more than one recreational vehicle measuring not more than 35-feet in length, including any transport accessory, to be parked in front of front building line. The vehicle may not extend into any right-of-way or public access easement and must be parked on an asphalt or concrete surface not less than 9 feet by 18 feet in size, free of litter, weeds, or other objectionable material. The vehicle and transport accessory must be operational and have current registration and inspection decals. No such equipment may be used for living or sleeping purposes when parked or stored on a residential lot or location not approved for such use.

Ordinance 1002 permits parking of recreational vehicles behind the front building line; however, such vehicles must be currently licensed, in good repair, and parked on a concrete or asphalt surface at least 9 feet by 18 feet in size.

Violation of recreational vehicle parking restrictions is punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000. Each day a violation exists constitutes a separate offense.

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