KNOW THE CODE
High Weeds
All lots and parcels of land must be maintained under 12” A complaint about a vacant lot or building (e.g. high weeds, rodent infestation, or an uninhabited decaying structure) takes a minimum of 32 days to resolve and includes inspecting the property, identifying the owner, contacting the owner, allowing a fifteen day period, by State law, for the owner to correct the problem, contracting out the work if the owner does not respond, and allowing fifteen days for the contractor to complete the work.
ARTICLE 6.05 UNSANITARY OR UNSIGHTLY CONDITIONS ON PRIVATE PREMISES
Sec. 6.05.002 Duties of owner, lessee or other person in charge of land
Every owner, lessee, and other person in charge of land (whether or not improved) within the city limits is obligated, jointly and severally, as follows:
(1) To keep the weeds on his property cut, mowed, and maintained so that the height of weeds located within one hundred feet (100′) of any building used for human habitation, whether the building is located on his property or the property of another, is no higher than twelve inches (12″). This requirement shall not apply to a building used as the habitation of the owner of and located on the premises where the weeds are growing.
(2) To maintain, protect, and preserve his property in such a way as to prevent the accumulation, collection or appearance of carrion, filth, rubbish, trash, debris, or any other unsightly or unsanitary matter on his property and to timely remove from his property and dispose of any and all such material as may appear thereon.
(3) To maintain, protect, and preserve his property in such a way as to prevent the collection, accumulation or appearance of any matter on his property which constitutes a fire hazard and to timely remove from his property and dispose of any and all such material as may appear thereon.
(4) To take such action as is necessary to prevent the accumulation, collection, or appearance of stagnant water on his property and to insure proper drainage of his property.
Litter & Solid Waste Prohibited
The outdoors accumulation of litter, solid waste, inoperative appliances, furniture, or any other unsightly or unsanitary matter, is prohibited. A care of premises complaint (e.g. an inhabited property with high weeds, rodent infestation, or decaying structure) takes a minimum of 50 days to resolve and includes inspecting the property, identifying the owner, contacting the owner, waiting a fifteen day period, by State law, for the owner to correct the problem, conducting up to two more inspections with time allowed for corrective action on the part of the owner, and filing charges with Municipal Court if the owner does not respond. The Municipal Court process may take up to an additional 90 days. Fines may be assessed; however, injunctions are made on extremely dangerous cases.
Sec. 3.04.007 Sanitation requirements
Lot maintenance: It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of a residential building, structure or property to utilize the premises of such residential property for the open storage of any abandoned motor vehicle, icebox, refrigerator, stove, washing appliance, glass, building material, building rubbish or similar items.
Keep Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter Clean
Adjoining sidewalks, curbs, and gutters must be free of sand, leaves, dirt and grass growth. A complaint about problems with grass growth along sidewalks, curbs and gutters takes a minimum of 32 days to resolve and includes inspecting the property, identifying the owner, contacting the owner, allowing a fifteen day period, by State law, for the owner to correct the problem, contracting out the work if the owner does not respond, and allowing fifteen days for the contractor to complete the work.
Sec. 6.05.002 Duties of owner, lessee or other person in charge of land.
(5) To keep all weeds located on his property and in the public road right-of-way adjacent to his property, which weeds are within fifty feet (50′) of any public road or street, cut, mowed, and maintained so that the height of such weeds is less than twelve inches (12″).
Junked Vehicles Are a Nuisance
A junked vehicle, including parts that are visible at any time of the year from a public place, public right-of-way, or adjacent private property, is a nuisance.
ARTICLE 8.05 JUNKED VEHICLES*
A vehicle that is self-propelled and:
(1) Does not have lawfully attached to it:
(A) An unexpired license plate; or
(B) A valid motor vehicle inspection certificate; and
(2) Is:
(A) Wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, or discarded; or
(B) Inoperable and has remained inoperable for more than:
(i) Seventy-two (72) consecutive hours, if the vehicle is on public property; or
(ii) Thirty (30) consecutive days, if the vehicle is on private property.
Substandard Structures
All buildings or structures which have deteriorated through accident or lack of repair, are unsafe, unsanitary or unfit for human habitation, shall be deemed substandard buildings. A substandard building complaint (e.g. a building built on substandard foundation, fire hazardous wiring, etc.) takes a minimum of 135 days to resolve and includes inspecting the property, identifying the owner, contacting the owner, allowing a thirty day period, by State law, for the owner to correct the problem, conducting up to two more inspections with time allowed for corrective action on the part of the owner, and scheduling the case to go before the Building Standards Board if the owner does not respond. The Board meets quarterly and the hearing results are forwarded to the property owner. The amount of time given to repair or demolish the structure is determined by the Building Standards Board. If the property issue is still not resolved, demolition proceedings are begun
ARTICLE 3.03 SUBSTANDARD BUILDINGS
Substandard structure. All premises, buildings or structures which have any or all of the following defects:
(1) Those buildings or structures whose interior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity falls outside of the middle third of its base.
(2) Those buildings or structures which, exclusive of the foundations, show 33% or more of damage or deterioration of the supporting member or members, or 50% of damage or deterioration of the nonsupporting enclosing or outside walls or covering.
(3) Those buildings or structures which have been damaged by fire, wind or other causes so as to have become dangerous to life, safety, or the general health and welfare of the occupants or the people of the city.
(4) Those buildings or structures which have become or are dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary or which so utterly fail to provide the amenities essential to decent living that they are unfit for human habitation, or the condition of which is likely to cause sickness or disease so as to work injury to the health, safety or general welfare of those living therein or to persons or property in the vicinity.
(5) Those having light, air and sanitation facilities which are inadequate to protect the health, safety or general welfare of human beings who occupy or live or may live therein.
(6) Those which have parts thereof which are so attached that they may reasonably be expected to fall and injure members of the public or property.
(7) Those which because of their condition are unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous to the health, safety or general welfare of the people of this city.
(8) Those buildings, regardless of its structural condition, unoccupied by its owners, lessees, or other invitees and is unsecured from unauthorized entry to the extent that it could be entered or used by vagrants or other uninvited persons as a place of harborage or could be used for illegal activities.
Secure Vacant Buildings
The owner of a vacant building shall lock or secure all doors, windows, and other openings to the vacant building and if necessary, cover unsecured openings with boards. A complaint about a vacant lot or building (e.g. high weeds, rodent infestation, or an uninhabited decaying structure) takes a minimum of 32 days to resolve and includes inspecting the property, identifying the owner, contacting the owner, allowing a fifteen day period, by State law, for the owner to correct the problem, contracting out the work if the owner does not respond, and allowing five days for the contractor to complete the work.
Sec. 3.03.006 Securing of unoccupied buildings
(a) Any unoccupied, unsecured building is hereby declared to be a danger to the public health and safety and is declared a public nuisance.
(b) An owner or person in control of an unoccupied building that is in such condition that an unauthorized person can enter into the building through missing or unlocked doors or windows, or through other openings into the building, is in violation of this article.
(c) Whenever it is found that an unoccupied building is in such condition that an unauthorized person can enter the building through missing or unlocked doors or windows or other openings, any city inspector or the fire marshal shall send a written “notice to secure” to the property owner of record in the county assessor-collector of taxes’ records. Such notice shall inform the addressees that the building is a public nuisance and must be secured in compliance with this article. The owner shall be given ten (10) days to comply.
(d) The notice shall be served by personal delivery, with a signed acceptance receipt, of the letter or by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the personal or certified mail notice attempt is not successful, notice shall be published at least twice within a ten-day period in the official city publication or by posting a notice on or near the front door of the building.
(e) If any property owner believes that the city has erroneously identified their structure as an unsecured, unoccupied structure, they must file a written request for a hearing before the city municipal court within five (5) work days after receiving said notice. This right to this appeal shall appear on the “notice to secure” letter.
(f) If the property owner requests a hearing with the city municipal court, the hearing must be conducted within twenty (20) days of the request.
(g) The securing of windows, doors or any other opening allowing access to an unsecured, unoccupied structure shall be done with such materials and in such fashion as to effectively bar entrance to the structure. These materials include, but are not limited to, plywood, lumber, or steel. The use of cardboard, tar paper, glass, window and door screens or any material that will not effectively prevent entrance shall not be sufficient to meet the requirements of this article. Any material used must be secured with nails or bolts in a fashion and manner to prevent easy removal.
(h) If the owner or person in control of the property fails to comply with the notice to secure within the ten-day period allowed, the city secretary may order the boarding up of all openings to the building so as to prevent entry.
(i) If the city must secure any building, the owner shall be charged at the rate of the cost of supplies, labor at $50.00 per hour and an administrative fee of ten (10) percent of the total expense.
Illegal Land Use
No land or structure may be used or altered, except for a purpose permitted in the zoning district in which it is located.
ZONING ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NO. 264
Sec. 4. Districts.
For the purpose of regulating and restricting the height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of yards, and other open spaces, the density of population, and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes, the City of Robstown, Texas, is hereby divided into districts, of which there will be seven (7) classes in number, and which shall be known as:
“R-1” First One-Family Dwelling District.
“R-2” Second One-Family Dwelling District.
“R-3” Duplex and Apartment District.
“B-1” Neighborhood Business District.
“B-2” Secondary and Highway Business District.
“B-3” Central Business District. / “I” Industrial District.
Auto Repairs
Major automotive service is not permitted on residential property. Such repairs must be conducted on a commercial property.
ZONING ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NO. 264
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, MORALS, OR THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY BY REGULATING AND RESTRICTING THE HEIGHT AND SIZE OF BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES, SIZE OF YARDS AND OTHER OPEN SPACES, THE DENSITY OF POPULATION, THE LOCATION, ERECTION, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION, REPAIR, AND USE OF ALL BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND LAND FOR RESIDENCE, TRADE, INDUSTRY, AND ALL OTHER PURPOSES; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT AND CHANGE IN SUCH REGULATIONS, RESTRICTIONS AND BOUNDARIES OF SUCH DISTRICTS OR ZONES; DEFINING CERTAIN TERMS; PROVIDING FOR A BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND METHOD OF PROCEDURE FOR APPEALS THERETO; PROVIDING FOR PROCEDURE FOR ALL OTHER PURPOSES; AND IMPOSING PENALTIES.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROBSTOWN, TEXAS:
Sec. 4. Districts.
For the purpose of regulating and restricting the height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of yards, and other open spaces, the density of population, and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes, the City of Robstown, Texas, is hereby divided into districts, of which there will be seven (7) classes in number, and which shall be known as:
“R-1” First One-Family Dwelling District.
“R-2” Second One-Family Dwelling District.
“R-3” Duplex and Apartment District.
“B-1” Neighborhood Business District.
“B-2” Secondary and Highway Business District.
“B-3” Central Business District.
“I” Industrial District.
How may I file a complaint?
Complaints may be filed using any of the following methods:
In person: Our office is located at 101 E. Main. Office hours are 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Telephone: Our telephone number is 361.387-4589 EXT. 130