Carrollton, TX Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- No-notice violations
- 12 listed conditions, § 96.04(E)
- Examples
- No hot water, dead smoke detectors, rodents
- Repeat offense rule
- Prior notice anywhere on premises waives new notice
- Selling with open notice
- Barred until fixed or buyer accepts in writing
- Governing section
- City Code § 96.04
Summary
Carrollton's Designated City Official must serve written notice before prosecuting most housing-code violations, but City Code § 96.04(E) lists twelve conditions, including no hot or cold water, missing smoke detectors, rodent infestation, and illegal open-flame cooking, where the city can prosecute immediately without notice. The list also cuts off the notice requirement for a repeat violation anywhere on the same premises.
The DCO shall serve a notice of violation in accordance with this chapter, except that for the following offenses a notice of violation is not required to be served as a condition precedent to the prosecution of an offense alleged to have occurred at a rental property under this chapter: (1) Lack of hot or cold running water; (2) Smoke detectors that are inoperable or missing; (3) Illegal discharge of wastewater; (4) Hazardous or unsanitary premises; (5) Hazardous electrical wiring; (6) Improperly maintained roofs; ... (10) Infestation of insects, vermin or rodents; (11) Use of an open-flame cooking device or portable outdoor fireplace; or (12) Repeat of an offense for which previous notice of violation has been given, irrespective of the location of the previous violation on the premises.
Full Breakdown
04(C) removes the need to prove a culpable mental state for most of those violations. Ordinarily the DCO must serve a written notice of violation, including a legal description of the property, a statement of the violation, and a correction order giving a reasonable repair window, before a case can be prosecuted. 04(E) carves out twelve specific conditions where that notice is not a condition precedent to prosecution: lack of hot or cold running water; inoperable or missing smoke detectors; illegal discharge of wastewater; hazardous or unsanitary premises; hazardous electrical wiring; improperly maintained roofs; sagging or buckled ceiling, roof or support members; leaning or buckled wall or partition supports; flooring or floor supports that cannot safely carry the load placed on them; infestation of insects, vermin or rodents; use of an open-flame cooking device or portable outdoor fireplace in violation of the code; and a repeat offense anywhere on the premises after a prior notice has already been given.
04(L) bars an owner who has received a notice of violation from selling, transferring, mortgaging or leasing the property until either the violation is fixed or the new party in interest accepts the notice and the responsibility to fix it in writing.
Violations & Fines
Any of the twelve conditions in § 96.04(E) can be cited and prosecuted the moment an inspector finds it, without the written notice and correction period § 96.04 otherwise requires. A conviction under this chapter is a misdemeanor punished under § 96.12 and § 10.99, and the DCO can also seek civil restraining or abatement orders under § 96.04(H) and Texas Local Government Code Chapter 54.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carrollton have to warn me before citing a housing violation?
What counts as a no-notice violation in Carrollton?
Can I sell a rental after getting a violation notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carrollton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Carrollton to another location·View the Texas code violation reporting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Common Violations in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle common violations.