City of Twin Oaks Property Maintenance and Nuisance Laws - What You Need to Know
Why do cities have codes relating to property maintenance?
Code enforcement is crucial for maintaining public health, safety, and the overall quality of life within a community. It helps ensure properties meet minimum standards for safety and habitability, regulates land use and zoning, and prevents neighborhood blight, which can negatively impact property values and community well-being.
What is considered a nuisance?
A nuisance is anything that:
- Harms the health or safety of the public.
- Interferes with people’s ability to enjoy their property.
- Annoys or endangers a community or a large group of people.
These are some common things considered nuisances:
- Grass or weeds taller than 12 inches (unless part of city approved natural landscaping, designed by a professional landscape architect)
- Diseased or dead trees that are within the fall zone of any property line, structure or utility
- Accumulated trash, junk, or brush
- Building materials not appropriately stored; stacked wood not stored 12 inches off the ground
- Dead animals not properly disposed of within 12 hours
- Stagnant water that attracts mosquitoes
- Smoke, fumes, or bad smells; open burning of leaves or other brush
- Broken sewer or water lines
- Infestations of pests like rats, roaches, or mosquitoes
- Any unsafe condition that could harm the public.
What is required of property owners?
- Remove or fix the violation: If the City notifies you that a violation exists, you must take care of it within the time specified (usually 10 days)
- Keep grass/weeds under 12 inches
- Clean up any trash or other accumulations regularly
- Maintain trees and remove dead or dangerous ones
- Ensure that trees and vegetation do not encroach into the public right of way
What happens if you don’t fix it?
- The City will send a courtesy notice and you have 10 days to correct the problem.
- If you haven't corrected the problem within the timeframe, the City will schedule a code enforcement hearing.
- After the hearing, if you still don’t act, the City can remove or fix the problem and charge you for it.
- The cost will become a tax bill on your property (with interest if unpaid).
- You could be fined, and each day the nuisance continues is a separate violation.
- The City can also take you to court to force the nuisance to be fixed.
Special rules
- Construction noise: No loud construction work between 8 PM and 8 AM near homes (except in emergencies).
- Animal waste: You must clean up after your pets in public and private areas (except for guide dogs).
- Storage containers: Large temporary storage or trash containers need a permit if on-site more than 24 hours, with time limits depending on the type.
Your rights
If you disagree with the City’s decision, you can appeal, but the City can still act to protect public health while your appeal is considered.
Let’s work together to keep Twin Oaks a great place to live!
