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Common Code Violations
Fences are designed to improve the looks of the property they are built on, and to keep things in and keep things out. Fence owners are required to maintain any fence visible from a public right-of-way. Notices of violation allowing thirty (30) days to correct the problem are given before penalties are imposed.
Reason for Regulation
Poorly maintained fences depreciate the property they are located on as well as surrounding properties. Fences that have broken or missing pickets can allow pets to escape and allow other pets to enter.
Solutions
Repair fences that have broken or missing pickets, bricks, or are leaning. Leaning fences can fall at any time and may injure someone. Refer to the Code of Ordinances (link) before installing or constructing a new fence or repairing an existing fence. If you have further questions, contact the Building Department at 361.777.4553.
Penalties
A person found in violation of this ordinance may be charged up to $500. Each day that a violation is allowed to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
State law allows cities to take action to control junked vehicles. If a vehicle remains inoperable for more than thirty (30) consecutive days on private property or seventy-two (72) consecutive hours on public property, or if the vehicle has expired license plates or an expired motor vehicle inspection sticker, it can be considered a junk vehicle.
Reason for Regulation
Parking a junked vehicle in public view decreases private property value and is detrimental to the safety of the public and creates a fire hazard.
Solution
To comply with the ordinance, a vehicle meeting the definition of a junked vehicle must be removed or screened from ordinary public view. Screening devices include a fence, rapidly growing trees, or shrubbery.
Penalties
The fine for a violation is a fine up to $500. In addition, the City can seek a court order to remove junk vehicles from private property.
Vehicles are an important part of our everyday life. Where and how vehicles are kept can create safety hazards and affect the value of a neighborhood. Local ordinances and state laws regulate parked vehicles.
Parking unhitched trailers and recreation vehicles
Unhitched trailers parked on city streets are unsightly and can create a safety problem. Parking unhitched trailers on city streets is not permitted.
Parking on unimproved surfaces
This is often known as yard parking. Vehicles are not allowed to park on any residential lot unless the parking surface is improved.
No parking zones
Local ordinance follows state law in prohibiting parking in places that are marked by signs or curb markings.
Parking on a street for more than 48 hours
A vehicle or other property left unattended for more than 48 hours is declared a nuisance and may be impounded.
Parking next to buildings
It is unlawful to park within 20 feet of a commercial building. Designated as fire lanes, most buildings in Portland have signs and pavement markings to comply with this ordinance
Overnight truck parking
Parking vehicles with a carrying capacity exceeding 1-1/2 tons on city streets is prohibited.
Vehicles used to transport exlosives, flammables, poisons, etc.
With certain exceptions, it is generally unlawful to drive or park vehicles carrying certain dangerous materials in the city.
Parking over a sidewalk
A common complaint from citizens is vehicles blocking sidewalks. The Texas Transportation Code prohibits this and includes a number of other parking regulations over and above city ordinances.
Trees or plants that hang lower than seven (7) feet above a sidewalk pose as a hazard for pedestrians. Walking into a low hanging branch can cause serious injury. Trees that hang lower than fourteen (14) feet above the street surface pose as a hazard for emergency vehicles and larger trucks.
Reason for Regulation
Trees and vegetation compliment residential neighborhoods. They can become a serious hazard if allowed to become an obstruction to pedestrians and vehicles.
Solution
According to the ordinance (link) trees and plants must be kept trimmed to allow a seven (7) foot clearance above sidewalks and a fourteen (14) foot clearance above the street surface.
Penalties
Violations of this ordinance can result in a fine up to $500. Each day that a violation is allowed to continue can result in a separate fine. In addition to a fine, the City may bring a civil suit if the violation damages City property.
The Unified Development Ordinance, Section 712, establishes guidelines for both business use signs and those that may be posted by the general public, including signs for community events, garage sales, and political campaigns.
Reason for Regulation
Signs can be valuable resources for advertising or promoting services, products, issues and events. However, they can also make a community unsightly, create traffic safety problems by obstructing the field of vision of motorists, and create nuisances for nearby properties.
Solutions
Before installing any sign any where, check the sign ordinance. Signs are regulated for size, location, and in some cases the length of time they are posted. Because of the many variables possible with signs, the sign ordinance can be confusing. If you are having difficulty interpreting the ordinance, call the Building Department at 361.777.4550..
Penalties
Any person, firm, or corporation that violates, disobeys, omits, neglects, or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $200 for each offense. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
The accumulation of any carrion (animal carcasses), filth, rubbish, or other unwholesome matter along with grass that exceeds 12 inches in height on any property is prohibited by Code of Ordinances Chapter 4 - Building and General Building Regulations, Article VI. - Unwholesome Property Conditions (link).
The accumulation of unwholesome matter and tall grass not only makes the neighborhood unsightly, but it may also attract vermin, create a fire hazard, and endanger the public health.
Solution
Keep your property mowed and free of trash and rubbish.
Penalties
If you are found in violation of this ordinance, you can be fined up to $2,000. Each day that a violation remains uncorrected constitutes a separate offense.
Register a Complaint
Please complete the online form (link) to notify the authorities of any unwholesome property conditions.