Haltom City, TX Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Haltom City enforces blight and nuisance conditions through a combination of its nuisance ordinance chapter, the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) it has adopted, and Texas Local Government Code Chapter 214. Conditions commonly cited as blight include high weeds and grass exceeding 12 inches, rubbish and debris accumulation, junked or inoperable vehicles stored on the property, stagnant pools of water, broken windows, missing siding, collapsed roofs, peeling paint exposing wood to the elements, graffiti not removed within a reasonable time, and vacant buildings left open to unauthorized entry. Texas Local Government Code 214.902 empowers Haltom City to declare buildings substandard when they pose a threat to health, safety, or welfare and to order repair or demolition. Owners are given written notice, an opportunity for a hearing before the Building and Standards Commission or a municipal court, and a reasonable time to comply, typically 30 days for minor issues and up to 90 days for major repairs. If the owner fails to comply, the city may contract for abatement and assess the cost against the property through a lien superior to all other liens except taxes. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 342 provides additional authority for abating health nuisances. Repeat offenders may face escalating citations, misdemeanor charges, and injunctive relief. Historic properties follow the same rules but may have additional design-review requirements for exterior repairs. Owners may appeal notices to the Building and Standards Commission or municipal court within the period stated in the notice. Self-help by neighbors is generally not allowed; neighbors should report concerns to Code Compliance at (817) 222-7700 rather than entering the property. Tenants living in blighted rentals have separate remedies under Texas Property Code 92.056 (repair-and-deduct) after giving landlords notice and time to cure.