Dallas County, TX Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)

Under Sec. 34-141(a) of the Dallas County Code, complaints and violations in the unincorporated area are investigated either when nuisance abatement staff detect them during field inspections or when they are reported verbally or in writing by citizens or other county staff. Once a complaint is logged, Sec. 34-141(c) directs the director to maintain a file on it and make a determination whether a public nuisance actually exists. Sec. 34-141(d) requires staff to inspect and photograph the area, record the date and location of the inspection, and document their findings, including a detailed description of the nuisance if one appears to exist, placing all of that material in the complaint's file.

Sec. 34-122(b) requires nuisance abatement staff to make frequent inspections of unincorporated neighborhoods and stay in regular contact with the county's road and bridge districts, fire marshal, public works department, planning and development staff, and the sheriff's department, so a report can also reach the county through any of those channels. Before staff enter private premises to investigate, Sec. 34-122(a) requires them to give reasonable notice and show identification to the occupant, manager, or other appropriate person, unless they are enforcing state law under different authority.