Common Austin Code Violations
Learn about common code violations and how the City of Austin codes and ordinances protect our health and safety. Report suspected violations by calling Austin 3-1-1, using the Austin 3-1-1 app, or making a report online. Once reported, a service request will be created for code compliance, and we will investigate.
Five common code violations on residential properties are:
- tall grass/weeds
- work without a permit
- trash and debris
- unsanitary conditions
- issues with exterior walls
If you are a renter, here are some tenant resources for identifying and reporting violations in your home.
Common Code Violations
The following is a list of common code violations and how to recognize them. Please keep in mind that this list does not include every possible code violation. Visit the Municipal Code Library for a complete listing of Austin codes and ordinances. If you have questions, call Code Connect at 512-974-2633.
For issues outside the scope of Code Compliance enforcement, the Austin Municipal Court provides a way for individuals to file complaints with the court. Examples of those complaints include insurance violations, noisy animals, loud music, traffic code, city code, and criminal violations. Learn more about filing a complaint.
Austin residents may not accumulate trash, debris, brush, filth, carrion, or any other unsightly, objectionable, or unwholesome matter on their property. Storing any material on a vacant lot is also a code violation.
Dispose of garbage and unwanted items in regulated areas. In addition to designated trash containers, several landfills in the Austin area accept items you no longer want for a fee. Leaving these items anywhere else is considered illegal dumping.
Code compliance pursues two goals with illegal dumping: ensuring the dump site is cleaned up and catching the perpetrator. If caught, offenders may be required to clean up the dump site and pay a fine. However, the property owner is ultimately responsible for cleaning up the dump site, even if they are not the offender. Learn more about illegal dumping on our Illegal Dumping webpage.
Businesses and industries must have all required City approvals, such as permits, site plans, inspections, and certificates of occupancy. These regulate many aspects of the business, such as the number of parking spaces, type of lighting, type of signage, plumbing requirements, etc. If a change in a local business is affecting your neighborhood or home, the business may not be in compliance. View permits issued to specific businesses.
Mobile Vendors
Mobile vendors may not be located on residential private property or property zoned LO (Limited Office), NO (Neighborhood Office), or GO (General Office) per City Code 25-2-812 - Mobile Food Establishments. On the right-of-way, Austin Transportation and Public Works and Austin Police regulate mobile vendors.
Running a Business from Home
Home businesses are highly regulated. Businesses that cannot be run from home include auto repair shops, contractors' yards, adult-oriented businesses, and retail businesses. You also may not store commercial vehicles at your home. For more information, visit the Regulations and Limitations for a Home Business section on the Small Business Permitting webpage.
Adult-Oriented Businesses
Adult-oriented businesses, like all businesses, must be located in the appropriate zone. In addition, they must not be located within 1,000 feet of a church, school, public park, public playground, licensed daycare, or a lot where another adult-oriented business is located. You may not run an adult-oriented business from your home.
Any structure that is used for residential purposes and uses gas or fuel-burning appliances (and/or has an attached garage that connects to the structure) is required to install and maintain carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Not having appropriately placed CO detectors in these structures is a code violation.
If there is a gas or fuel-burning appliance inside the bedroom or inside an attached bathroom to the bedroom, then the detector must be placed inside the bedroom. Detectors must also be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, when the gas or fuel-burning appliance is outside the bedroom and/or there is an attached garage that connects to the dwelling unit. A gas or fuel-burning appliance includes, but is not limited to: a water heater, furnace, space heater, stove, oven, boiler and/or a fireplace.
Visit the Carbon Monoxide section on the Code Compliance Resources webpage to learn more.
Return carts to their storage area on private property no later than the day after your designated collection day. Place them at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on collection day, but no earlier than the day before.
For more information on cart guidance, visit the Proper Set-Out Guidelines webpage.
Property owners or their agents must get a permit to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, demolish, or move a structure. In addition, they must get a permit to change the use of a structure (for example, to change a residence into an office). Failure to obtain an appropriate permit may result in enforcement action. View all development-related permits issued by the City.
Dangerous structures must be made safe or demolished. Dangerous conditions include potential structural failure, exposed electrical wiring, and abandoned, open structures. Vacant buildings must be adequately secured by fencing and/or boarding.
When a building is damaged in a fire, code enforcement sends an investigator to assess the damage and ensure the building is adequately secured. Fire-damaged buildings must then either be repaired or demolished to meet code standards.
Fences must be in sound condition and at an appropriate height. Visit the Fencing Regulations webpage to learn more about fence height, material, and location requirements.
A garage sale may not be held at the same property more than four days per calendar year or at a property participating in a residential tour. More than four garage sales per calendar year violates the City Code and is considered a home-based business. In addition, signs advertising the garage sale may be posted only on the property where the sale is occurring, for no more than three consecutive days.
Grass and weeds must be kept below 12 inches. Letting grass and weeds grow taller than 12 inches creates unsanitary conditions and violates the code. City code (City of Austin Code 10-5, Article 2) requires that grass and weeds be maintained below 12 inches.
Keeping grass and weeds short helps prevent rodents, insects, and stagnant water from developing due to overgrowth. When grass and weeds are kept below 12 inches, our community looks better and is cleaner and safer.
Property owners must maintain their properties to the minimum standards set by the Uniform Housing Code and the Dangerous Building Code. This is especially important for rental properties. Examples of common violations include, but are not limited to:
- Heating problems
- Plumbing problems
- Electrical problems
- Structural hazards
- Infestation and other unsanitary conditions
- Issues with exterior walls, such as lack of weather protection and cracks
You may not post a sign in the right-of-way or on public property. In residential areas, you may post the following signs on private property temporarily:
- Contractors' signs
- Garage or yard sale signs
- Neighborhood meeting signs
- Political signs
- Real estate signs
Off-premise signs are prohibited. For example, a garage sale sign can only be placed where the sale is taking place, or a house for sale sign can only be placed on the property where the house is being sold. In non-residential areas, all signs must be on private property. Signs that are illegally placed in restricted areas are called bandit signs and should be reported to 3-1-1.
A permit is required for a permanent sign, such as a business sign. The City has a sign ordinance (Chapter 25-10 Sign Regulations) that regulates all signs, including political campaign signs. The City does not regulate billboard content.
Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Property owners must drain stagnant water on their properties. Typical sources of stagnant water include pools in disrepair, tires, and buckets. Mosquitoes only need a teaspoon of water to breed. During warmer months, mosquitoes can develop in as little as three days. In addition to itching, mosquito bites can lead to diseases like Zika and West Nile Virus.
Swimming pools in residential areas must be enclosed by an approved fence. In addition, swimming pools must be maintained to prevent stagnant water. Austin Public Health regulates public pools and pools at apartments, hotels, and motels.
Property owners must trim trees that hang over the street. There must be at least 14 feet of clearance at the curb line. Austin Transportation and Public Works handles trees that fall and block the right-of-way.
Several regulations govern vehicle storage in a residential area.
- A residence may not store more vehicles than it has licensed drivers. Additional vehicles must be in the garage.
- All vehicles must be functional, except antique or recreational vehicles. One vehicle under repair for less than 60 days is allowed.
- Residents may keep two antique or recreational vehicles, such as a boat or RV, screened behind a 6-foot wood or masonry fence.
- Only one commercial vehicle (with a capacity less than one ton) may be stored at a residence.
Please report junked or abandoned vehicles to Austin 3-1-1.