5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Bell County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Bell County, state nuisance law requires refuse in a neighborhood to be kept in a closed receptacle; uncontained accumulation can be abated. Inside Killeen and Temple, city solid-waste code controls container use and setout.
TX Health & Safety Code §343.011(c)(1)
keeping, storing, or accumulating refuse on premises in a neighborhood unless the refuse is entirely contained in a closed receptacle
Texas counties can't zone, but Bell County's commissioners court can abate a defined public nuisance in unincorporated areas under Health & Safety Code Chapter 343, including accumulated junk and structurally unsafe buildings. Inside Killeen or Temple, city nuisance code applies.
TX Health & Safety Code §343.011(c)(2)
keeping, storing, or accumulating rubbish, including newspapers, abandoned vehicles, refrigerators, stoves, furniture, tires, and cans, on premises in a neighborhood or within 300 feet of a public street for 10 days or more
Bell County can't impose a general vacant-lot maintenance code, but state nuisance law lets the county abate overgrown weeds within 300 feet of a residence and accumulated rubbish on unincorporated lots. Cities enforce their own lot-mowing rules.
TX Health & Safety Code §343.011(c)(4)
allowing weeds to grow on premises in a neighborhood if the weeds are located within 300 feet of another residence or commercial establishment
Bell County sets no garage-sale rules for unincorporated areas. Cities regulate them: Killeen requires a permit, limits owners to two sales per calendar year, and caps each sale at three days.
Killeen Code of Ordinances Ch. 15
No more than two (2) sales by the same property owner may be held during any calendar year.
Unincorporated Bell County has no set grass-height number; state law only reaches weeds within 300 feet of a neighbor. Killeen caps grass and weeds at 12 inches; Temple at 9 inches (18 during the wildflower exception).
Killeen Code of Ordinances Ch. 18 (Nuisances)
High weeds and grass are considered a violation when growth exceeds 12 inches in height.
1 cities in Bell County have their own property maintenance rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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