San Marcos, TX Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. 9
- Initial compliance window
- 10 days to vacate/permit
- Standard repair/demo deadline
- 30 days (up to 90)
- Hearing forum
- Municipal court judge
- Nonpayment remedy
- City lien on property
Summary
San Marcos can order dilapidated, substandard buildings vacated, secured, repaired, or demolished under its Unsafe Building Abatement ordinance.
It is unlawful for the owner of a building to maintain the building in a manner that allows the building to become or remain an unsafe building in whole or in part. It is unlawful for any person to remove any form of unsafe building notice attached to a building by the building official.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).
Full Breakdown
Owners must not let a building become or remain "unsafe", dilapidated, structurally failing, fire-damaged, or unsecured against trespass, under Code of Ordinances Sec. 14.239-14.240. The building official inspects on complaint, issues a notice giving the owner ten days to vacate or permit repairs, and can request a public hearing before a municipal court judge, who can order the building vacated, secured, repaired, or demolished, typically within 30 days (up to 90 with a detailed work plan).
Violations & Fines
Unlawful to maintain a building as unsafe or remove an unsafe-building notice; noncompliance lets the city do the work itself and lien the property for costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building "unsafe" in San Marcos?
What happens if an owner ignores the repair order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Marcos
Texas rules heatmap·Compare San Marcos to another location·View the Texas property maintenance overview
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