Code Enforcement

1100 W. Highway 6

Alvin, Texas 77511

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Thursday

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

General Public Nuisances

A General Public Nuisance is when the unsightly or objectionable condition of a property is visible from a public right of way, easement, road, sidewalk or neighboring property.  These nuisances tend to reduce the visual appeal of the property and cause concern of reduction in value to neighboring property owners.  Nuisances can be any object or matter including, but not limited to: Appliances, Building Material; Fallen Trees; Brush; Limbs; Household Items; Rubbish; Tires; Vehicles; or other items openly stored or abandoned. 

Any items ruled by the City of Alvin's Code Enforcement Officer as public nuisances must be stored properly, out of public view or removed from the property.

Refer to the "General Code Questions" link to the left to see if there's an answer to your question regarding General Public Nuisances.

Refer to the "General Code Questions" link to the left to see if there's an answer to your question regarding Junk, Trash and Debris. 

Junk, Trash and Debris

Any items ruled by the City of Alvin's Code Enforcement Officer as an accumulation of junk, trash and/or debris must be stored properly, out of public view or removed from the property.

Remember: You may already have a heavy trash day once a month with Texas Pride! If you wish to utilize this service, be sure to place your items at the curb in accordance with Texas Pride's requirements. Please keep in mind that you can only put your heavy trash out one week prior to your scheduled heavy trash day. If you have questions for Texas Pride, contact them at 281-342-8178.

High Grass & Weeds

Grass and Weeds become a violation when the growth exceeds 12 inches in height.  The owner and/or the tenant are/is responsible for maintaining the property in its entirety, exceeding their property line and mowing/weed eating to the curb line of adjacent streets (if there is one) or to the edge of the pavement of adjacent streets where no curb exists; exceeding their property line and mowing/weed eating to the center of adjacent unimproved rights of way including alleys; AND exceeding their property line to the area between their fence and into any abutting drainage ditch to the edge of the pavement of any adjacent streets.  If your property abuts an M1 or other deep ditch, you must exceed your property line to the area outside your fence and to the top of the ditch closest to the property. 

If your property is agriculturally exempt and does not contain a structure fit for human habitation, a violation is not declared until the grass and weeds exceed 24 inches in height and only 50 feet (the perimeter) from any adjacent property under a different property owner must be mowed.

Refer to the "General Code Questions" link to the left to see if there's an answer to your question regarding High Grass & Weeds.

Property Maintenance/Dangerous Buildings

According to the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code as adopted by The City of Alvin's Code of Ordinances, all structures must be maintained free from deterioration or dilapidation.  This includes, but is not limited to, houses, sheds, fences, garages and/or detached garages. Any structure that is unsecured, dilapidated, has structural damage or is deemed dangerous by the City of Alvin's Building Official shall be repaired, replaced or demolished.  

Some structures are not considered dangerous but still violate the International Property Maintenance Code. The Code Officer will work closely with the Building Official to determine the most appropriate course of action.   

Temporary Signs

Temporary signs are prohibited by city ordinance with few exceptions.  Prohibited signs include, but are not limited to, bandit/snipe signs, flags, streamers, pennants, oversized balloons, regular balloons, banners (except with a permit), signs which use air compressors to remain inflated or to cause them to continue "flapping" in order to draw attention, etc. 

Political signs are exempt from this ordinance as long as they are not placed in a right of way or easement.  

We recommend contacting Code Enforcement if you are unsure your sign is permitted BEFORE spending the money on it... just in case!!

Recreational Vehicles (RVs)

Residents are permitted to store an RV on their property provided it is not connected to water and/or sewer.  The RV may, however, be safely connected to electricity. 

RVs are not permitted to be lived in unless they are located within an approved RV Park. 

Graffiti

The graffiti ordinance allows for the City of Alvin to cover graffiti on public property.  If you call and the graffiti is on a cable or telephone box on public property, for example, a Code Officer is able to cover it fairly quickly. 

If the graffiti is on private property, we are required to notify the property owner and give them 15 days to cover or remove the graffiti.  We also provide an option for the City of Alvin to cover it for the property owner; however, they will have to sign a waiver permitting us to enter their property and cover the graffiti.