Code Compliance
Common Code Violations

Code Compliance is responsible for enforcing more than 900 City ordinances related to Housing, Zoning, Signs, Litter, Illegal Dumping, Weeds, Premise Parking and Animal Control violations.

Brush Collection/Bulky Trash (Section 18-4)
This once-a-month large item (includes large limbs, shrubbery, bagged leaves-sealed in bags up to 50-gallon capacity, furniture, appliances, mattresses and
box springs, etc.) is operated by Sanitation.  The City does not collect debris from construction, demolition or clearing of land unless an additional fee has been paid.  Additionally, no dirt, rock or concrete will be removed.  No material may be placed out front earlier than the 7:00 a.m. on Thursday prior to collection week, and must be in place by 7:00 a.m. the Monday of the pick up week.  Violations of our bulky trash ordinance are immediately ticketed. (Back to Top)

Litter and High Grass/Weeds(Section 7A-18/Section 18-13(a))
Homeowners or tenants are responsible for keeping their lawns mowed, clipped mulched or cleared and the property free of litter (garbage, paper, cardboard, wood, glass, bedding, auto parts, appliances, limbs, etc.).  The property must be maintained between the curb in front of the house (or if no curb then from the
edge of the pavement) to the middle of the alley (or the back property line if there is no alley).  Weeds or grass more than 12 inches high is a violation of the City Code.  Failure to do so may result in a court citation and/or a bill for the City's mowing services.

Anti-Litter Regulations presentation (pdf)

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Obstructions (Section 18-14)
The occupant or owner is responsible for keeping the street, alley, sidewalk and public grounds clear of obstructions.  This includes the trimming of trees, shrubbery and vines which may obstruct any vehicle traveling through an alley, or which may obstruct a sidewalk or street or other public grounds.  Additionally, sidewalks must have a height clearance of 8 feet - streets and alleys must have 15 feet of overhead clearance.  Take advantage of the City's Bulky Trash Program by trimming trees and shrubbery to coincide with your legal Bulky Trash Week.

Obstructions presentation (pdf)

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Illegal Storage (Section 51A-4.217(b)(6))
Any item that is not customarily used or stored outside or is not made of material that is resistant to damage or deterioration from exposure to the outdoors cannot be placed outside on your property.  This ordinance applies to items stored on
the front or rear yard of the property or on an open porch or carport.  Exceptions include motor vehicles on improved surface, lawn furniture and landscaping items.  (Back to Top)

Fences
Go to the fence web page to view a list of fence regulations

Graffiti (Section 31-38(b))
Defined as any marking, including, but not limited to, any inscription, slogan, drawing, painting, symbol, logo name character, or figure that is made in any manner on tangible property.  An owner of any tangible property in the City commits an offense if he/she fails to remove all graffiti from the property that is visible from any public property or right-of-way or from any private property other than the property on which the graffiti exists.  Statistics prove that removing graffiti quickly may avoid the graffiti from re-appearing.  Owners will be issued a Notice
of Violation and a timeframe to remove the graffiti.  Failure to remove the graffiti may result in a citation.  (Back to Top)

Junk Motor Vehicle (Section 18-20)
Motor vehicles that are inoperative and/or partially dismantled and have expired license tags or safety stickers are considered "junk motor vehicles".  These vehicles are in violation of the City Code.  Owners of the vehicles and all lien holders will be notified of the violation by certified mail.  Should the owner fail to remove the junk motor vehicle from the property or prove the vehicle operable,
the vehicle will be towed and sold for salvage.  Owners may store inoperable vehicles in a garage to avoid towing.  Please note:  Code Compliance only addresses vehicles on private property.  If the vehicle is on the street, the Dallas Police Department has jurisdiction.  Please report your concern to 311 and
Dallas Police Department will respond.  (Back to Top)

Parking on an Approved Surface (Section 51A-4.301(d)(5))
Motor vehicles must be parked on an approved surface which is defined  as concrete, asphalt or 6 inches of gravel with a border surrounding the gravel where permitted.  It is a violation to park a vehicle on the lawn.  Vehicles should be parked on a driveway or on the street were permitted.  Violations are immediately ticketed.  (Back to Top)

Substandard Structure (Section 27-11(b))
Property owners are required to keep structures in good repair.  Peeling paint, leaking roof, electrical and plumbing problems, holes in the wall, floor and
ceiling, and decayed wood are building violations.  (Back to Top)

Open and Vacant Structure (Section 27-11(a)(6))

An owner must keep the doors and windows of a vacant structure or vacant portion of a structure securely closed to prevent unauthorized entry.  Notice will be posted near the front door of the structure, should the property be found unsecured.  The City will secure the structure at the owner's expense, if the owner does not secure the structure.  The owner will be billed for the cost of securing any unsecured structures.  (Back to Top)

Standing Water (Section 27-11(a)(4) and 19-30)
The owner is responsible for providing drainage to prevent standing water, flooding on the property and/or mosquito breeding.  (Back to Top)

Signs (Section 3, 7A-16 and 51A)
It is a violation of the City code to post any signs (notices, posters or other paper devices) on a utility pole, lamp post, shade tree; public structure or building or on the City's right-of-way or median except as may be authorized or required by law.  This includes garage sale signs.

View an online Sign presentation here!

2007 Signs Ordinance presentation (pdf)

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Garage Sales (Section 51A-4.217(b)(9))
The City of Dallas permits two garage sales each year per property.  The sale
may last no longer than three days and a person cannot sell merchandise acquired solely for resale purposes in the garage sale.  A sign advertising the sale can only be placed on the property were the sale is occurring.  Garage sale signs may not be placed on property other than where the garage sale is occurring.  No signs are permitted in the right-of-way or in the median.  Signs placed other than on the property where the sale is occurring may be removed and/or ticketed. 

2007 Signs Ordinance presentation (pdf)

Definition
The sale of tangible personal property at retail by a person who is not in the business or does not hold himself or herself out to be in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail

District Restrictions
This accessory use is not permitted in the P(A) district

Required Off-Street Parking
None

Required Off-Street Loading
None

Additional Provisions

• A person shall sell tangible personal property only on the premises of the owner or lessee of the premises where the sale is conducted, and the owner or lessee must be the legal owner of the tangible personal property at the time of the sale.
• The sale must be inside the building or garage, or on the patio of the premises
• A person shall not sell, offer, or advertise for sale merchandise made, produced, or acquired solely for the purpose of resale at an occasional sale
• A person shall not conduct an occasional sale for a duration of more than three consecutive calendar days
• A person shall not conduct more than two occasional sales at a premises during any 12 month period
• A person shall not place more than one sign, not to exceed two square
  feet, upon the lot where the sale is taking place. Any other signs at any locations remote from the sale property are not permitted
• The area restrictions in the general provisions do not apply to this use
• Any advertisement of an occasional sale or of an item being offered for
  sale at an occasional sale must contain the street address at which the sale will occur and the date(s) on which the sale will occur
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Home Occupation (Section 51A-4.217(b)(8))
Persons who have a home occupation in residentially zoned area may not
employ more than 2 persons other than the occupants of the residence, may not use a sign, advertisement or display on or off the premises.  You may not generate loud and raucous noise or excessive traffic that interferes with the public peace and comfort.  Selling, offering or advertising products on the premise is prohibited.  A Notice of Violation is issued prior to a citation  being issued. 
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Swimming Pool Permit (Section 43A-17)
All Class A, B, C and D pools/spas in the City of Dallas must have a permit to operate.  Additionally, swimming pool permits must be renewed every year on or before March 1^st.  To obtain an application for a permit contact the Special Collections Division of the City of Dallas Water Department, Room 2DS, Dallas, Texas 75201, (214) 670-3438, Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.  For additional information on pool permit requirements and inspections, contact the Department of Code Compliance at (214) 948-4095, 320 E. Jefferson, Room 216, Dallas, Texas 75203, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.  (Back to Top)

Swimming Pool Training Certification (Section 43A-18)
A Manager of Pool Operations (MPO) must maintain all Class A, B, C and D pools/spas in the City of Dallas.  Facilities operating without a MPO can have their permits revoked.  The MPO shall obtain certification by successfully completing a training course conducted by the Department of Code Compliance.  The cost of the course is $40 for City of Dallas residents and $60 for nonresidents.  All certificates expire two years from the date issued.  To obtain a certificate for MPO, schedule a class by contacting the department of Code Compliance at (214) 948-4095, 320 E. Jefferson Room 216, Dallas, Texas 75203, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.  (Back to Top)

Multi-Tenant Property (Section 27-31)
A multi-tenant property is a building or group of buildings on the same premise containing three or more dwelling units, which are for lease to occupants.  The definition also includes rented condominiums, lodging or boarding house, a group residential facility, and extended stay hotel or motel or a residential hotel.  Multi-Tenant properties operating in the City of Dallas are required to register annually with the Multi-Tenant Inspection Program. For additional information contact the Department of Code Compliance at (214) 948-4105, 320 E. Jefferson Room 216, Dallas, Texas 75203, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 
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Consumer Protection
Consumer Protection personnel investigate fraud or improper business dealings as it relates to wood vending, electronic, home and motor vehicle repair.  For additional information or to obtain a license contact the Department of Code Compliance at (214) 948-4095, 320 E. Jefferson Room 216, Dallas, Texas
75203, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. 
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Relocation Services (Section 39A)
Relocation personnel assist residents in relocating when they property owners have been displaced because to demolition, acquisition or rehabilitation of a structure due a public use project. The Department of Sustainable Development and Construction works closely with Public Works & Transportation, Equipment & Building Services, Housing and other displacing entities. Eligible residents may qualify for replacement housing, rental assistance, and/or moving and related expenses. For additional information contact the Department of Sustainable Development and Construction at (214) 948-5321, 320 E. Jefferson Boulevard, Room 203, Dallas, Texas 75203, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.   (Back to Top)

Scrap Tire Enforcement Program(Section 18-56)
All businesses where used tires are collected, repaired, processed, recycled, scrapped, sold, bought, or stored are required to be licensed, effective January 1, 2005.  This includes mobile tire repair businesses and salvage yards.  Anyone transporting scrap tires is also required to be licensed/decaled.  For additional information, contact the Department of Code Compliance at (214) 948-4425, 320 E. Jefferson Room 216, Dallas, Texas 75203, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  (Back to Top)

Mandatory Watering Guidelines (Section 49-21.1(b)(c))
It is a violation of the City Code to water a lawn or landscape in a manner that wastes water or causes runoff including causing water to fall on sidewalks, driveways, or other areas not lawns or landscapes.  You must maintain your irrigation system to prevent waste by repairing broken, missing, or misdirected sprinkler heads.  Watering is prohibited  during any type of precipitation, as well as between April 1 through October 31 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  Hand watering and soaker hoses are allowed at any time.  Rain and Freeze sensors are required on all automatic sprinkler systems.  More information about  Water Conservation.  (Back to Top)