PILLAR: Livable
AGENDA DATE: May 27, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Department of Code Compliance
PRIORITY: N/A
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SUBJECT
Title
An ordinance amending Chapter 27, “Minimum Property Standards,” of the Dallas City Code, by amending Section 27-46; (1) to expand the definition of “Code Violations”; (2) providing a penalty not to exceed $500.00; (3) providing a saving clause; (4) providing a severability clause; and (5) providing an effective date - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
Body
BACKGROUND
Currently, Chapter 27 Article VIII addresses Habitual Nuisance Properties. A property is presumed to be a Habitual Nuisance Property if the property is the site of three or more citations for code violations within 365 days.
Currently “code violations” is defined to include: overcrowding, litter, high weeds, violations of the minimum property standards, noise ordinances, promoters ordinance, valet parking provisions, and violations of conditions in planned development or specific use permit ordinances regulating outdoor live music, outdoor patios, the operation of outdoor speakers and amplification, and hours of operation of a use.
We are seeking council support to move forward with amending the ordinance to include Sections 51A-1.103(a)(3) and 51A-1.104 of the Dallas Development Code.
Section 51A-1.103(a)(3) states that “[a] person may not use land or a structure on land located in the city for other than those uses designated as permitted uses in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.”
Section 51A-1.104 states that “[e]xcept as provided in Section 306.1, “Use or Occupancy,” of Chapter 52, “Administrative Procedures for the Construction Codes,” a person shall not use or occupy or change the use or occupancy of a building, a portion of a building, or land without obtaining a certificate of occupancy from the building official in compliance with Section 306, “Certificate of Occupancy,” of Chapter 52, “Administrative Procedures for the Construction Codes,” of the Dallas City Code.”
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Quality of Life, Arts & Culture Committee was briefed on the “Amendments of Chapter 27 to Expand the Definition of Code Violations in the Habitual Nuisance Property Program” briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on May 18, 2026.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.