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Property Maintenance in Dallas, TX (2026)

5 verified property maintenance rules for Dallas, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Trash Bin Storage

Dallas City Code Chapter 18, Sec. 18-3 regulates containers for municipal solid waste. Residents must use only city-owned rollcarts. A 60-65 gallon rollcart may not exceed 200 pounds when loaded; 90-96 gallon rollcarts may not exceed 250 pounds. Blue rollcarts are designated for recyclable materials only. Non-recyclable materials must not be placed in recycling containers. Rollcarts must be placed at the curb or alley on collection day and retrieved promptly after pickup.

Dallas Trash Bin Storage & Placement

Some Restrictions

Property Blight

Dallas City Code Chapter 27 (Minimum Property Standards) addresses property blight and nuisance conditions. Sec. 27-11 establishes minimum standards and owner responsibilities for maintaining safe, sanitary, and habitable structures. Article V covers public safety nuisances. Chapter 31, Sec. 31-38 requires property owners to remove graffiti. Code Compliance Services investigates complaints and can issue citations with fines of $50-$500 per day. Vacant structures may be ordered secured or demolished.

Dallas Property Blight & Nuisance Ordinance

Heavy Restrictions

Texas Health & Safety Code Sec. 343.011 - Public Nuisance

Sec. 343.011. PUBLIC NUISANCE. (a) This section applies only to the unincorporated area of a county.(b) A person may not cause, permit, or allow a public nuisance under this section.(c) A public nuisance is:(1) keeping, storing, or accumulating refuse on premises in a neighborhood unless the refuse is entirely contained in a closed receptacle;(2) keeping, storing, or accumulating rubbish, inclu...

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Dallas City Code Chapter 27 requires property owners to maintain vacant lots free from conditions that create health hazards, harbor vermin, or diminish property values. Chapter 18 addresses illegal dumping on vacant land. Chapter 31, Sec. 31-10 covers abatement of nuisances. Weeds and grass exceeding 12 inches on vacant lots may be mowed by the city with costs assessed to the property owner. Code Compliance Services enforces maintenance standards through citations and liens.

Dallas Vacant Lot Maintenance Requirements

Heavy Restrictions

Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 342 - Public Health Provisions

Sec. 342.004. MUNICIPAL POWER CONCERNING WEEDS OR CERTAIN PUBLIC NUISANCES. The governing body of a municipality may require the owner of real property in the municipality to keep the property free from weeds, brush, and a condition constituting a public nuisance as defined by Section 343.011(c)(1), (2), or (3).

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Dallas does not have a mandatory snow and ice sidewalk clearing ordinance for property owners. Snow and ice events are relatively infrequent in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. When winter weather does occur, the city focuses on treating major roadways and bridges through its Office of Emergency Management and Public Works department. Property owners are encouraged but not legally required to clear their sidewalks.

Dallas Snow & Sidewalk Clearing Rules

Few Restrictions

Garage Sale Rules

Dallas Development Code Sec. 51A-4.217(b)(9) regulates occasional sales (garage sales) as an accessory use. An ordinance amended the rules to limit garage sales to specific frequency and duration requirements. Sales must take place on the premises and signs are limited to one on-site sign (2 sq ft) and up to five off-site signs (2 sq ft each). All signs must be removed within 24 hours of the sale ending. Items may not be displayed in a way that violates minimum property standards.

Dallas Garage Sale Property Maintenance

Some Restrictions

Looking for Dallas County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dallas city rules.

Property Maintenance in Dallas County