Killeen, TX Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Section 8-371 defines a "dangerous building or structure" broadly: unsecured vacant buildings vulnerable to trespassers, structures with walls listing outside the middle third of their base, buildings with 33 percent or more damage to supporting members or 50 percent damage to nonsupporting walls, fire- or storm-damaged structures below current code strength, and buildings with inadequate light, air, sanitation or fire egress. Once the building official identifies a violation, Section 8-384 lets the official first pursue voluntary compliance with the owner, lienholder or mortgagee before scheduling a hearing before the Board of Adjustment.

If a hearing proceeds, Section 8-385 requires at least 15 calendar days' notice by certified mail to every owner, lienholder and mortgagee of record. Under Section 8-388, the board's order must give the owner 30 days to secure, repair, remove or demolish the building, extendable to 90 days with a detailed written plan, and beyond 90 days only with regular progress reports to the building official. Owners holding more than $100,000 in city property value can be required to post a cash or surety bond, letter of credit, or third-party guaranty covering the abatement cost.

If the owner does not comply, Section 8-390 lets the city vacate, secure, remove or demolish the structure itself and place a lien against the property, subordinate only to tax liens, though the lien cannot attach to a homestead. Section 8-392 additionally lets the board assess a civil penalty up to $1,000 a day for each violation, reduced to $10 a day if the property is the owner's homestead, and a homestead repair lien cannot be foreclosed against an owner 65 or older. Any aggrieved owner, lienholder or mortgagee may file a verified petition for judicial review in Bell County district court within 30 days of the board's final decision.