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

Section 150.033 of the Texas City Code of Ordinances adopts minimum standards under Tex. Local Gov't Code Ch. 214 for the continued use and occupancy of all buildings, regardless of the date of construction. A building is substandard if, among other listed conditions, its walls list, lean or buckle past the middle one-third of the base, it shows 33% or more damage or deterioration of supporting members or 50% damage or deterioration of non-supporting members, it is so dilapidated that it becomes an attractive nuisance to children or a harbor for vagrants, or the Fire Marshal or designee determines it is a fire hazard.

Under division (B) the city requires the vacation, relocation of occupants, securing, repair, removal or demolition of a building that is dilapidated, substandard or unfit for human habitation and a hazard to public health, safety and welfare, that is unoccupied and unsecured so that vagrants or children could enter, or that is boarded up but still dangerous or inadequately secured. Division (C) declares every substandard building a public nuisance that can also be abated under the nuisance provisions of the city code. Enforcement runs through § 150.034.

The Fire Marshal or designee, Community Development Director and Building Official inspect on complaint or on a report from the Fire Department or Police Department, then issue a notice and order. A repair order must require permits and physical start of work within a time not to exceed 60 days from the date of the order. Non-compliance goes to the Building and Standards Commission under § 150.035. After a hearing it can order the building vacated, secured, repaired, removed or demolished, and it must require the owner, lienholder or mortgagee to secure the building or repair, remove or demolish it within 30 days unless the work cannot reasonably be performed in that time.

It cannot allow more than 90 days without a detailed plan and schedule. If the owner does not act, division (M) lets the city do the work at its own expense, and division (N) lets the city assess those expenses and hold a lien on the property unless it is a protected homestead.