Burleson, TX Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 10-454, substandard buildings declared (Art. XIII)
- Fine
- Not more than $2,000.00 per separate offense (§ 10-453(e))
- Daily offense
- Each day or portion of a day is a separate offense
- Hearing notice
- Not less than ten days before the hearing (§ 10-457)
- Work deadline
- Within 30 days unless the board finds more time is needed (§ 10-458)
- Abandonment trigger
- Building abandoned for a period in excess of six months
Summary
In the City of Burleson, Texas, a building with any listed defect that endangers life, health, property or safety is a dangerous building and a public nuisance under § 10-454. The city can order it repaired, vacated, removed, demolished or secured, and each day of violation is a separate offense with a fine of not more than $2,000.00.
(a) For the purpose of this chapter, any building or structure which has any or all of the conditions or defects hereinafter described shall be deemed to be a dangerous building or structure and a public nuisance, provided that such conditions or defects exist to the extent that the life, health, property or safety of the public or its occupants are endangered, as defined by this chapter or state law: ... (12) Whenever a building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, air or sanitation facilities, or otherwise, is determined by the director to be unsanitary, unfit for human occupancy or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease. ... (15) Whenever any portion of a building or structure remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure or whenever any building or structure is abandoned for a period in excess of six months so as to constitute such building or structure or portion thereof an attractive nuisance or hazard to the public.
Full Breakdown
Article XIII of Chapter 10 of the Burleson Code of Ordinances is the substandard building program. Section 10-454(a) deems a building or structure a dangerous building and a public nuisance when it has any of seventeen listed conditions and those conditions exist to the extent that the life, health, property or safety of the public or its occupants are endangered. The list covers inadequate exits, structural stress, collapse risk, fire damage, and a building that has become an attractive nuisance to children or a harbor for vagrants and criminals. Item (12) reaches dwellings determined by the director to be unsanitary or unfit for human occupancy, and item (15) reaches a building abandoned for a period in excess of six months or a portion left on the site after demolition.
Section 10-453 gives the director of code enforcement, or the inspection team of the director, the building official and the fire marshal, the power to inspect and enter, and § 10-453(d) declares dangerous or substandard buildings public nuisances to be abated by repair, vacation, demolition, removal, or securing. Under § 10-456 the director can notify the record owner by certified mail, issue citations, secure the building, or recommend abatement proceedings to the building codes and standards board.
If the matter goes to hearing, § 10-457 requires notice not less than ten days before the hearing to the record owner, lienholders and mortgagees, with the notice also posted on the building or property. The owner, lienholder or mortgagee carries the burden of proof on the scope and time of any work. Section 10-458 then lets the board order the work. The order must require the owner within 30 days to secure the building and to repair, remove, or demolish it, unless the owner shows at the hearing that the work cannot reasonably be performed in 30 days. If more than 90 days is allowed for any part of the work, the board requires progress reports, and a bond can be required from an owner whose Burleson property exceeds $100,000.00 in total value, posted not later than the 30th day after the order. If the owner does not act, the order states the city will vacate, secure, remove, or demolish the building and charge the cost to the property. For a dwelling with ten or fewer dwelling units the city can repair it and charge the cost to the property.
Violations & Fines
Section 10-453(e) provides that a person who violates the article, or fails to perform an act it requires, commits a separate offense each day or portion of a day the violation is committed, permitted or continued. Each separate offense is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000.00. Beyond fines, an abatement order from the building codes and standards board lets the city act and charge the cost to the property, and the director can also issue citations under § 10-456.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides a building is substandard in Burleson?
How much time does an owner get to fix a dangerous building in Burleson?
What happens if the owner ignores the abatement order?
Does an empty building count as substandard in Burleson?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burleson
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