McKinney's Building Safety: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building safety a little differently. In McKinney, Texas, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed

McKinney requires scaffolding to comply with the adopted 2021 International Building Code and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L. Contractors must obtain a building permit when scaffolding is erected as part of a permitted project and maintain 10 ft clearance from overhead power lines.

Key details: Code: 2021 IBC plus OSHA 1926 Subpart L. Permit: Required with project permit. Power Line Clearance: 10 ft minimum. ROW Use: Separate permit required. Inspection: Daily by competent person.

Stop-work orders issued for non-compliant scaffolding. Civil penalties up to 2,000 dollars per day per Texas Local Government Code Chapter 54. Repeat violations may trigger contractor registration suspension.

Lead Paint

Lead-based paint in pre-1978 McKinney homes is governed by federal EPA RRP rules and HUD disclosure requirements; McKinney does not impose additional local lead abatement obligations beyond federal law.

Key details: Federal Law: EPA RRP + HUD 1018. Trigger: Pre-1978 homes. RRP Threshold: 6 sf interior / 20 sf ext. State: No additional TX rules. County Health: Collin County.

EPA RRP violations up to $37,500 per day per violation. HUD disclosure violations trigger treble damages to the buyer/tenant plus attorney's fees.

Elevator Maintenance

Elevators in McKinney multi-family, commercial, and public buildings are regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 754, requiring annual inspections and state-licensed mechanics.

Key details: Regulator: Texas TDLR. Statute: TX H&S Code 754. Inspection: Annual by QEI. Code: ASME A17.1. Single Family: Exempt from state.

Operating without current inspection certificate: up to $5,000 per day per elevator. TDLR may order elevator out-of-service.

Compared to other cities, McKinney takes a harder line on elevator maintenance. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Pest Control

McKinney property owners must control rodents, roaches, and other vermin under the Property Maintenance Code. Commercial pesticide applicators must be licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture and comply with TDA Structural Pest Control Service rules.

Key details: Code: 2021 IPMC adopted. Applicator License: TDA SPCS required. Mosquito Rule: No standing water over 72 hrs. State Law: TX Occ Code Ch 1951. Surveillance: Collin County Health.

Code compliance notices with 10-day cure period. Non-compliance: fines up to 500 dollars per day per Chapter 1 general penalty. City may abate and lien property.

The Bottom Line

McKinney's building safety rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming McKinney is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that McKinney can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.