Property Maintenance in Lewisville, TX

If you live in Lewisville or are thinking about moving there, property maintenance are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Lewisville has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of property maintenance, and some of them might surprise you.

Property Blight

Lewisville can declare a building a 'substandard structure' under City Code §§ 4-243 and 4-246 when damage, deterioration, or code violations make it dilapidated or unfit for habitation, automatically treating it as a public nuisance and a danger to health and welfare. The City Council can then order the structure repaired, vacated, removed, or demolished.

Key details: Repair/demolition deadline: 30 days after Council order. Max extension: 90 days without a detailed plan. Lien interest: 10% per year on city's costs. Court appeal window: 30 calendar days, district court. Emergency demolition: Executed within 96 hours.

Occupying a structure posted 'SUBSTANDARD BUILDING - DO NOT OCCUPY,' removing or defacing that posted notice, or obstructing city officials, contractors, or purchasers performing court-ordered repair or demolition work is a misdemeanor. The city may also recover its repair, removal, or demolition costs by assessing them against the property and filing a lien that is subordinate only to tax liens and bears ten percent annual interest.

This is one of the stricter rules in Lewisville's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Lewisville requires owners of vacant lots to maintain the property free of weeds, brush, rubbish, and debris under Code of Ordinances Chapter 98 (Vegetation) and Chapter 42 (Nuisances). Grass and weeds must be kept below 12 inches in height. The city conducts regular inspections of vacant parcels and notifies owners through Denton County Appraisal District records. If the owner fails to act within 10 days, the city may mow or abate conditions on neglected vacant lots and assess the cost plus a service charge as a lien against the property under Texas Local Government Code Section 214.002.

Key details: Grass/Weed Limit: 12 inches maximum. Notice Period: 10 days to comply. City Abatement: Costs liened against property. Authority: TX LGC 214.002. Code Enforcement: (972) 219-3437.

Failure to maintain a vacant lot after notice may result in city-performed abatement with costs assessed as a lien against the property. Administrative liens include the cost of mowing or cleanup plus a service charge. Violations may also result in municipal court citations with fines up to $500 per offense. Chronic neglect may lead to daily fines under Texas Local Government Code Section 54.017.

Lewisville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to vacant lot maintenance. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Lewisville's property maintenance 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 Lewisville is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Lewisville can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, which shows when its source was last checked.