Code Compliance Department
Working to Keep Benbrook Clean, Safe and Beautiful!
Report Code Violations to 817-249-6078
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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:
- Maintain neighborhood desirability
- Reduce vandalism
- Prevent fire, health, and safety hazards
- Encourage continued development
- Realize a shared community vision to Keep Benbrook Beautiful!
REPORTING VIOLATIONS
Citizens may report code violations in two ways:
- Via the city's website: on the homepage, at the top-right, in the "I want to" section, click 'report a problem'.
- Via the Code Compliance Department: call 817-249-6078, and leave a message. Please provide an exact description of the complaint (such as “junk vehicle parked in front yard”) and the complete address of the property at which the violation occurred. If the complete address is unknown, please provide the block number and street name. Once you have reported a violation, Code Compliance will investigate the property for any code violations. If a code violation exists, proper steps will be taken to bring the property into compliance.
Please be aware that the Code Compliance Officer does not typically return calls to citizens who are simply reporting a possible code violation. If you are reporting a violation, please be assured the property will be investigated in a timely manner. The Code Compliance Department welcomes citizen inquiries regarding a specific property's violation status and makes every attempt to return calls of this nature within 24 hours of such a request.
COMMON CODE VIOLATIONS AND THE PROCESS FOR COMPLIANCE:
High Weeds and Grass
Junk and Rubbish
Garbage, Recycling Collection and Disposal
Abandoned and Junked Vehicles
Parking on Grass
Recreational Vehicles
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, §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 may 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 may result in the automatic issuance of a citation.
A person who violates Chapter 8.08.010, §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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Junk and Rubbish
It is a violation of Chapter 8.08.010, §A, of the Benbrook Municipal Code, for a property owner to permit, upon the property, the accumulation or presence of rubbish, brush, or other unsanitary or unsightly matter, including, but not limited to, trash, garbage, refuse, junk appliances or machinery.
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 may be issued. The City may do the work and charge the abatement expense 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 may result in the automatic issuance of a citation.
A person who violates Chapter 8.08.010, §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:
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$50 for the first offense;
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$100 for the second offense within any 12-month period; and
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$250 for the third offense within any 12-month period.
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Garbage, Recycling, and Disposal
The City of Benbrook requires by ordinance that all residents utilize curbside refuse service (provided by Allied 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 on that day. 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.
For more detailed information on Refuse & Recycling Collection, click here.
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Abandoned and 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/determination 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 may 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 and Grass
Benbrook Municipal Code, Sections 17.88.120 and 17.88.150 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. Upon receipt of a complaint or observation of a vehicle parked on an unapproved surface 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 parked vehicle, a citation may be issued. 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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Recreational Vehicles
A recreational vehicle is defined as a vehicle towed, 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
Benbrook Municipal Code, Section 17.88.120 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.
Benbrook Municipal Code, Section 17.88.130 permits parking of recreational vehicles behind the front building line; however, such vehicles must be currently licensed, in good repair, and be 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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COMPASSION-BASED CODE COMPLIANCE
The City of Benbrook is initiating a compassion-based code compliance program designed to assist Benbrook residents who may have physical or financial limitations.
Many common code violations such as high grass or weeds, trash and rubbish accumulation, or junked vehicles, are resolved through notice to residents by the City of a violation. Most residents correct
violations in a timely manner. However, some residents may be unable to correct a violation because of a physical or financial hardship. Issuing letters or citations to these individuals may not result in code compliance. Benbrook City Council strongly supports this initiative to connect local volunteers with those residents in need of assistance in clean-up or maintaining their property. Volunteers from sponsoring organizations work with residents to plan and implement a day of clean-up, yard maintenance, minor repair, and beautification of their property. Church groups, civic and non-profit organizations, school groups, and businesses are encouraged to participate in this volunteer effort. If your group would like more information, or if you are aware of a citizen in need of assistance, please contact Cathy Morris at 817-249-6008 or email at: cmorris@cityofbenbrook.com.
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