LOCATION & HOURS
Building access is at the rear of 209 S. Washington at the northwest corner of Madison Street and Chestnut Street
(Gray Door: Development Services and Dept. of Public Works)
Monday thru Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Office #: 972-932-2216
Metro#: 972-962-5321
Fax#: 972-932-0636
Staff
Marcy Ratcliff , Director - kaufmanplanning@mycvc.net
Thomas Lauer , Code Enforcement Officer - codeenf@kaufmantx.org
Program Description
The Code Enforcement Division is to promote and maintain a safe and desirable living and working environment for all of Kaufman’s citizens, businesses and visitors. Maintain and improve the quality of our community by administering a fair and unbiased enforcement program to correct violations of municipal codes, property maintenance codes and zoning codes.
DEPARTMENT GOALS
Facilitate voluntary compliance with City laws and codes
Continue to provide information in City Newsletter about Code Enforcement issues to raise awareness and as a prevention measure
Provide Nuisance Code Information on City web site
OBJECTIVES
Focus on the elimination of substandard structures by either refurbishing or demolition, with an emphasis on voluntary compliance, or with the help of available grants for low income, owner occupied structures
Target substandard rental properties which are being allowed to deteriorate by owner neglect and disinterest, by utilizing the full authority granted by the State to the Building and Standards Commission, to force compliance with current codes and regulations
Monitor and investigate violations of the zoning ordinance by multiple families illegally residing in single-family zoned dwellings
Target abandoned vehicles for removal and eliminate illegal auto repair businesses located in residential districts
Investigate and enforce ordinances for illegal dumping, high weeds and grass, trash and debris and other similar nuisances
Investigate and report work being conducted without proper building permits
Continue to monitor businesses for improper outside storage and dumpsters
Continue to monitor illegal signage place in public rights-of-way, which create traffic hazards
Investigate citizen complaints in a timely manner and resolve problems as quickly as possible and maintain an open dialogue with all parties concerned
Continue tracking citizen contacts, investigations, types of violations, number of letters sent, follow ups, warning letters sent, citations issued, status of case and resulting actions taken
Reduce illegal pole signs by 10% throughout the City
Institute inspections on promotional signage
To report a nuisance violation in the city limits of Kaufman or if you have questions about a nuisance violation, please email or call. We will need the following information: your name, phone number, the issue and address you are referring to at:
City of Kaufman
Code Enforcement,
972-932-2216
codeenf@kaufmantx.org
See complaint form. Complainants who call or email: Your information is kept confidential.
Top Code Enforcement Issues in the City of Kaufman
High Grass And Weeds City Code section 50-61 requires grass and weeds to be shorter than twelve (12) inches in height in the property, yard, alley and easement.
Stagnant Water, Rubbish, or Other Impure or Unwholesome Matter City Code section 50-63 prohibits the presence of stagnant water, rubbish, trash, filth, carrion or other impure or unwholesome matter of any kind on your premises and to keep the sidewalk in front of this property free and clear of these.
Mosquito Control City Code section 50-101 prohibits having, keeping, maintaining, causing or permitting any collection of standing or flowing water in which mosquitoes can breed or are likely to breed, unless such collection of water is treated so as to effectively prevent such breeding.
Junk/Inoperable Vehicles City Code section 102-302 prohibits vehicles that are incapable of being lawfully operated upon public streets and highways or in a condition of partial dismantlement to be visible from a public place or public right-of-way within the City.
Unlawful Parking In The Yard Zoning Ordinance O-02-07, section 35.2.B all vehicle parking (including motor vehicles, recreational vehicles boats, trailers, personal watercraft, etc.) shall be on a suitably paved parking surface (defined as concrete or asphalt paving). Existing crushed rock parking areas constructed prior to the date of adoption of the ordinance may be continued to be used, however, they may not be enlarged and all new parking areas shall be constructed of concrete or asphalt paving materials. Minimum construction standard for asphalt paving are two inches (2”) of compacted base and two inches (2”) of rolled asphalt. Minimum construction standards for concrete paving are four inches (4”) of concrete with #3 rebar on eighteen inch (18”) centers. All driveways and approaches to parking spaces shall be similarly paved, except in the Agriculture/Open District in which driveways over fifty feet (50’) in length may be constructed of crushed rock (gravel) a minimum of six inches (6”) thick.
When Building Permits are Needed 2003 International Building Code, section 105, requires any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the 2003 International Building Code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
Address Numbers for Residential Buildings International Property Maintenance Code 2003, Section 304.3 requires all residential buildings to have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum or 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm). Addresses are required on both sides of mailboxes located in the public right of way. Address numbers are not required on the curb but are allowed.
Address Number of Non-Residential Building City Code section 90-68 requires for all construction after November 18, 1991, all official building numbers must be posted on the front and rear of non-residential buildings so the numbers are clearly visible from the street, alley, or fire lane. Rear numbers shall be posted on the rear door of the building. If more than one rear door the official building number shall be posted on all doors and the business name must be displayed on the outside of at least one rear door.
Garage Sales City Code section 23-32 requires any individual or group intending to conduct a garage sale must register with the city at least one full business day, 24 hours prior to conducting the sale. There is no fee collected for the registration. You are limited to three (3) garage sales during any 12 month period, with each sale limited to three (3) consecutive days.
Garage Sale Signs Zoning Ordinance O-02-07, section 44.6.L garage sale signs are not required to have a permit; however, they shall not exceed two square feet (2 SF) in area. Boxes may not be used for garage sale signs.
Garage sale signs shall not be erected earlier than noon the Thursday before the sale and must be removed no later than 6:00 pm the Sunday following the sale.
Garage sale signs shall be located only on private property with the consent of the property owner. No garage sale sign can be attached to any public signs or utility poles. Garage sale signs are not allowed in the public right-of-way. Garage sale signs must be located at least three feet (3’) behind any existing sidewalk or ten feet (10’) from the edge of the street. Any signs not in compliance with the regulations will be confiscated by the Code Enforcement Officer.
Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs Maintenance and Enclosures 2003 International Property Maintenance Code, section 303.1 through 303.2 requires all swimming pools to be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and in good repair.
Private swimming pools, hot tubs and spas containing water more the twenty-four inches (24”), or two feet (2’), in depth shall be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier at least forty eight inches (48”), or four feet (4’), in height above the finished ground level measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool. Gates and doors in such barriers shall be self-closing and self-latching. Where the self-latching device is less than fifty-four inches (54”) or four and half feet (4.5’) above the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate. Self-closing and self-latching gates shall be maintained such that the gate will positively close and latch when released from an open position of six inches (6”) from the gatepost.
Accessory Structures Section 302.7 of the International Property Maintenance Code requires all structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.
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