Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement Officer is defined by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which regulates and set standards for code enforcement. Currently, there is one Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Bandera.

Code Enforcement is the inspection, improvement, and rehabilitation of environmental hazards on public and private premises by determining the presence of fire or health hazards, nuisance violations and unsafe building conditions. The City enforces its standards and requirements through the Bandera Code of Ordinances.

There are two common areas receiving code enforcement complaints on a daily basis.

Junked Vehicles

• A motor vehicle that displays an expired license plate or does not display a license plate
• Wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, or discarded; or
• Inoperable and has remained inoperable for more than: 
• 72 consecutive hours, if the vehicle is on public property; or
• 30 consecutive days, if the vehicle is on private property
• Vehicles on jack-stands for more than 48 hours are prohibited.

Nuisance Ordinance

A public nuisance is defined in Bandera’s Code of Ordinances as any act, thing, occupation, condition, or use of property that is of such a nature and continues long enough to:

• substantially annoy, injure or endanger the comfort, health repose or safety of the public
• greatly offend the public morals or decency
• unlawfully and substantially interfere with, obstruct, or tend to obstruct or render dangerous for passage, any street, alley, highway, navigable body of water or other public way

Complaints, Inspections, and Notices

All complaints alleging the existence of a public nuisance must be filed with the Code Enforcement Officer. The officer will respond promptly to inspect the premises and make a written report on the findings of the inspection. Whenever practical, photographs of the premises will be attached to the written report.

Public Right of Way

• Texas Local Government Code, section 283.002(6); the area on, below, or above a public roadway, highway, street, public sidewalk, alley, waterway, or utility easement in which the municipality has an interest.

Easement

• An easement is a legal right to use someone else's property for a specific purpose. In Texas, easements can be used for many purposes.
• Right-of-way: Easements can be issued for projects that require access to state-owned lands, such as oil and gas pipelines, water lines, and roads.
• Utility easements: Easements can provide space for utility companies to install and maintain equipment, such as water, sewer, electricity, and cable.
• Public easements: Easements can allow the public to use a property for things like streets and sidewalks.
• Private easements: Easements can be given to a private person or entity for a specific purpose, such as a neighbor using a private road to access their property