Property Maintenance in Austin, TX (2026)
5 verified property maintenance rules for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Trash Bin Storage
Austin Code Department enforces property maintenance standards including trash container storage and placement. Austin Resource Recovery provides standardized carts for trash and recycling collection. Carts must be placed curbside by 6:30 AM on collection day and retrieved by 10 PM the same day. Between collection days, carts should be stored behind the front building line or screened from public view. Overflowing or unsecured trash containers are a code violation enforceable by Austin Code.
Austin Trash Bin Storage & Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsProperty Blight
Austin Code Department aggressively enforces property maintenance standards under City Code Chapters 6-1 (Public Health and Sanitation) and 13-1 (Minimum Property Standards). Property blight violations include accumulated junk, abandoned vehicles, dilapidated structures, graffiti, and overgrown vegetation exceeding 12 inches. The city operates a complaint-driven enforcement system through 311 and Austin Code Connect. Repeat violators face escalating fines and the city can abate violations and place a lien on the property for costs.
Austin Property Blight & Nuisance Abatement
Heavy RestrictionsCommon Austin Code Violations - Accumulated Trash/Illegal Dumping; Dangerous/Fire-Damaged Structures; Housing in Substandard Condition; Stagnant Water
Accumulated Trash/Illegal Dumping - Austin residents may not accumulate trash, debris, brush, filth, carrion, or any other unsightly, objectionable, or unwholesome matter on their property. It is also a code violation to store any material on a vacant lot. [...] Dangerous/Fire-Damaged Structures - Dangerous structures must be made safe or demolished. Dangerous conditions include potential struc...
Vacant Lot Maintenance
Vacant lots in Austin must be maintained under City Code Chapter 6-1 (Public Health) and Chapter 13-1 (Minimum Property Standards). Owners must keep vegetation below 12 inches, prevent accumulation of debris and standing water, and secure any structures against unauthorized entry. Austin Code Department conducts proactive sweeps in areas with concentrated vacant lot complaints. The city can mow or clear a vacant lot and assess costs as a lien against the property after providing notice.
Austin Vacant Lot Maintenance Requirements
Some RestrictionsAustin Code Compliance Resources - Air Conditioning (Property Maintenance Code), Carbon Monoxide Alarms (Section 705), Notice of Violation (NOV)
City of Austin codes protect public health and safety and regulate proper property upkeep, land use, and building conditions. [...] Air Conditioning - As of July 10, 2025, homes in the City of Austin must be able to keep indoor air no hotter than 85 degrees and at least 15 degrees cooler than outside. The Property Maintenance Code applies to all homes in Austin, including apartments and other r...
Snow & Sidewalk Clearing
Austin does not have a mandatory snow or ice sidewalk clearing ordinance. Snow and ice events are rare in Central Texas, occurring only a few times per decade. During the February 2021 winter storm, the city focused on emergency road clearing rather than sidewalk enforcement. Property owners are generally expected to use reasonable care to maintain safe conditions but there is no specific city code requirement to shovel or de-ice sidewalks within a set timeframe.
Austin Snow & Sidewalk Clearing Requirements
Few RestrictionsGarage Sale Rules
Austin does not require a permit for residential garage sales. The city does not impose a specific limit on the number of garage sales per year by ordinance, but sales that appear to operate as ongoing retail businesses may trigger zoning enforcement for unauthorized commercial activity in a residential zone under Title 25 of the Land Development Code. Garage sale signs may only be placed on the property where the sale is occurring. Sales of food or beverages may require a Temporary Food Permit from Austin Public Health.
Austin Garage Sale Frequency & Property Rules
Few RestrictionsLooking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
Property Maintenance in Travis County →