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What is Code Enforcement?
 Code
Enforcement includes the inspection, improvement, and rehabilitation
of environmental hazards on public and private property by
determining the presence of health hazards, nuisance violations,
unsafe building conditions, junked and inoperable motor vehicles and
violations of any health regulations or ordinances. Violations may
be located by the Code Enforcement Officer or reported by any
person. Upon inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer, the
violator is notified of the violation, instructed on possible
solutions and given a time frame in which to have the violation
corrected. Non-compliance may result in the City of Lufkin
correcting the problem and billing the property owner for all work
required, and/or a complaint being filed in Municipal Court against
the violator.
The City of Lufkin is governed by a collection of rules called the
Code of Ordinances. The code contains ordinances of a general and
permanent nature prescribed for and affecting the public as a whole.
With the high visibility and volatility of violations which often
affect everyone in the city at some point, the Code Enforcement
Officer is often the mediator between complainant and a violator. A
solution to a violation must be fair to all parties involved, while
bringing the violation within compliance of local laws.
See the Code Enforcement Map of Lufkin
Here.
Common Code Violations
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Sign Violation
It shall be unlawful for any
person to post, tack, or in any manner place signs on
utility poles or within the right-of-way. It is also
unlawful to erect off premise signs, which is a sign or
structure used for advertising or display not located on the
premises on which said sign or structure is located. This
includes garage sale notices, lost pet signs,
advertisements, etc.
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Weeded Lot
It
shall be unlawful for any person to
allow grass, weeds or brush to grow or flourish more than 12
inches from the surface of the ground.
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Inoperable/Junk Vehicle
An abandoned or junked
vehicle is defined as a vehicle that is self propelled and
does not have lawfully attached to it an unexpired license
plate or a valid motor vehicle inspection certificate; is
wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled or is
inoperable. An inoperable vehicle is in violation if it
remains inoperable for 72 hours on public property or thirty
days on private property. |
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Illegal Dumping
A person commits an offense
if the person disposes or allow or permits the disposal of
litter or other solid waste at a place that is not an
approved solid waste site including on public or private
property or on a right-of-way.
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Unsightly Conditions
It shall be unlawful for any
owners of any premises, whether public or private, to
place on or allow to e placed upon, any garbage, litter,
junk, rubbish, refuse or any other unsightly conditions.
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Stagnant Water
It shall be unlawful for any
person, firm or corporation who shall own or occupy any lot
or lots in the city to permit or allow the accumulation of
stagnant water thereon or to permit the same to remain.
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Tire Disposal
Used tires
may not be stored, deposited, or disposed
of in a manner that may cause the pollution of the
surrounding land, the contamination of groundwater or
surface water, or the breeding of insects or rodents. Tires
are to be disposed of in a lawful manner.
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Water / Sewer Leak
It shall be unlawful to
permit or allow the leakage of water, sewage or other matter
onto private or public property.
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Litter Proliferation
It shall be unlawful to sweep into or deposit in any storm
sewer, gutter, street, or other public place within the City
the accumulation of litter from any building, lot, public or
private sidewalk or driveway. Any person owning or occupying
residence or a place of business shall at all times maintain
the premises free of litter.
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Graffiti
An owner of property commits a violation if he or she fails
to remove or allow removal of any and all graffiti from his
or her property, when said graffiti is visible from public
property, public right-of-way or any private property other
than that on which the graffiti exists.
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Mobile Home Fire Resistant Skirting
Fire resistant skirting with the necessary vents,
screens and/or openings shall be required on all mobile
homes in mobile home parks and shall be installed within ten
days after emplacement of the mobile homes. (Wood lattice
panels are not an option)
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Covering Junked Vehicle
An inoperable vehicle may be covered by a contour fitting
cover for a maximum period of six months from receipt of
notice of such violation. The vehicle must be totally
covered and the cover must remain in new or like new
condition during this probationary period. (Tarps are not an
option)
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Penalty
Any person, firm or individual who shall be in violation shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined in any
sum not exceeding $500.00, and each and every day’s violation shall
constitute a separate and distinct offense.
You may report your complaint by phone by calling 936-633-0298, by
email( addresses on are on the
Code Enforcement Map)
or in
person.
How to report a violation.
When reporting a violation, give as much information as possible.
Answer the questions – Who? What? When? Where? and How?
Steps to take when calling in a violation
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Confirm the violation before
calling.
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Describe the problem.
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Be able to identify the location.
(Example: Street address, intersecting corners, the nearest
house address or any identifying markers.)
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Give an owners name, if known.
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