Have you ever wondered who to call for problems or complaints about tall grass, abandoned or junked vehicles, illegal signs, and more? If you have a question about any property within the City of Richwood, the Code Enforcement Department is available to answer your questions and help solve these issues. If you have any questions regarding the information listed here as well as any other procedures or violations regarding Code Enforcement, please call 979-265-2082.

Many people are not exactly sure what to do when they have a complaint regarding a possible violation. First, if you feel comfortable to, we encourage you to talk with your neighbor or the property owner. Politely explain the situation and ask for their cooperation in resolving the problem. Many times, people appreciate their neighbors contacting them rather than a Code Enforcement Officer. Use your own best judgment when dealing with your neighbors, and never interact with someone when either party is angry or out of control. If your “good neighbor” effort fails, call us. We are happy to discuss the situation and will explain what type of steps we will have to take in order to have violations corrected. Furthermore, the City of Richwood Code Enforcement Department makes regular inspections throughout the City to identify potential violations.

When you call, be prepared to provide the following information:

• The specific type of complaint or nuisance.
• Your name, address, and telephone number.
  • This information is kept confidential. Your information is especially important if we need to contact you for more information or clarification regarding your complaint.
• Provide the exact location of the problem, including house number and street name.
  • If there is no address, please provide a description of the property and as much information regarding the location as possible, such as the corner of N. Mahan and Schley St.
• Provide a brief description of the violation or complaint.
  • If your complaint is regarding a vehicle, then provide the license plate number, make, model, and color of the vehicle. State if the vehicle is on the street or private property.
  • If your complaint is regarding debris, then provide a brief description of the type of debris. Examples of debris being car parts, building materials, old tires, garbage, and the location where these items are stored on the property.

Following an investigation, if Code Enforcement Officer finds that a violation has occurred or exists, further action will be taken to resolve the problem. This typically begins with the property owner receiving a written notice of the violation, with 7 to 10 days to correct the violation depending on the type of violation. The Code Enforcement Officer will re-inspect the property to confirm resolution of the problem. If the violation is not resolved by the deadline, then the property will be abated or the owner will receive a citation. With an abatement, the property owner will pay the cost of correcting the violation and if not paid, a lien may be placed on the property. If a citation is issued, the property owner must appear before the municipal court, which may levy penalties.

Often, violations are caused by lack of knowledge about codes and are easily and amenably resolved. Property owners will have the opportunity to discuss the violations and work in cooperation with Code Enforcement to correct problems that exist. If voluntary cooperation to correct the problem is not obtained, the Code Enforcement Officer can take the necessary steps to initiate prosecution of the violation through the legal system. However, every effort will be made by the Code Enforcement Officer to utilize diplomacy through tact and friendly persuasion to gain cooperation in compliance with the City Codes when a violation is found.

If we all work together as neighbors, we can maintain a beautiful and safe place to live, work, and visit.

Common Code Violations

1. Off-Premise Signs – Billboard signs shall mean any sign which is used or designed to be used to advertise or call attention to any product or service which is produced at a place other than on the premises on which the sign is located, or to advertise or call attention to any establishment which is not located on the same premises as the sign. Billboard signs are not allowed within the corporate limits of the City of Richwood. (Article I, Sec. 17-5(11) of the Municipal Code)
2. Nuisance Abatement – No property may permit, keep, store, or accumulate refuse, including newspapers, abandoned vehicles, refrigerators, stoves, furniture, tires, and cans on premises for ten (10) days or more, unless the refuse or object is completely enclosed in a building, or is not visible from a public street. (Article I Sec. 13-63 of the Municipal Code)
3. High Weeds and Grass – All property needs to be free of weeds, grass, brush or other vegetation that is greater than twelve (12) inches in height. Exemptions from this provision include heavily wooded acreage, and/or farming or pasture acreage classified on the tax rolls as “agricultural exempt”. Such property shall maintain a clearance of vegetation of at least one hundred (100) feet from any adjacent occupied building, school, athletic field, arena, park or playground. (Article I Sec. 13-101 of the Municipal Code)
4. Junk Vehicles – A vehicle that: (1) Does not have lawfully attached to it: (a) an unexpired license plate or (b) a valid motor vehicle inspection certificate; (2) Is wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, or discarded or (3) Is inoperable and has remained inoperable for more than: (a) seventy-two (72) consecutive hours, if the vehicle is on public property or (b) thirty (30) consecutive days, if the vehicle is on private property. (Article I Sec. 13.56 of the Municipal Code)
5. Building Conditions – An unsafe building is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property, or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible. (2015 International Building Code, 2015 International Property Maintenance Code)
6. Construction without Permit – Any person 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 code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building department and obtain the required permit prior to beginning work. (2015 International Building Code)
7. Occupancy without water services – Plumbing Fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be supplied with water in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function properly and without undue noise under normal conditions of use. (2018 International Property Maintenance Code)
8. Business without Certificate of Occupancy – No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the city has issued a certificate of occupancy. (2018 International Building Code)
9. Itinerant Merchants, Peddlers, Solicitors – It shall be unlawful for any itinerant merchant who may remove from place to place and sell or offer for sale merchandise, goods, wares or any other commodity for any person to go from house to house or from place to place in the city soliciting, selling or taking orders for goods, wares, merchandise, subscriptions to magazines or newspapers, to expose plates or films to make negatives, to make pictures or photographs for future delivery, or any other article for future delivery without first applying for and obtaining a permit or license to do so from the city secretary. (Article IV, Sec. 9-116 of the Municipal Code)
10. Garage Sale Signs – It shall be unlawful for any person to post, fasten or display, or so cause to be posted, fastened or displayed any garage sale sign on any structure, tree, pole, curb or elsewhere within the right-of-way of any public street or upon any public property within the City of Richwood, Texas, or upon any private property, real or personal, or mixed within the City of Richwood, Texas, without the permission of the owner thereof. With proper approval, a garage sale sign may be posted three days prior to the sale and must be removed within 24 hours after the close of the sale. No more than five signs may be posted for each sale, including any sign in the yard where the sale is being conducted. (Article VI Sec. 9-203 of the Municipal Ordinance)