Sherman, TX Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Section 3.11.006 of the Sherman Code gives the city's rental property administrator authority to inspect multifamily dwelling complexes in the City of Sherman, Texas, and complaints are a named trigger. In addition to any other authority in article 3.11, the administrator can inspect based on complaints or other credible information indicating the possibility of a violation of the article. That means a tenant report to the city does not have to wait for the annual cycle, which otherwise runs on a 30-day notice with an inspection checklist.

Entry rules depend on the unit. The administrator has the right of entry at any reasonable hour upon the premises and can inspect all unoccupied dwelling units on reasonable notice to the owner, landlord, resident or property manager. An occupied unit can be inspected when, upon reliable information, the administrator has reason to believe that violations of the article or of state law exist that involve serious threats to life, safety, health or property. Routine inspection areas include building exteriors, exterior and interior common areas, vacant units and comparative samples of occupied units upon consent by the unit's tenant or other recourse as provided by law.

The code also builds the complaint channel into the lease paperwork. Each landlord inspection report must carry a notice reading: TO REPORT UNRESOLVED VIOLATIONS OF THE CITY'S RENTAL PROPERTY LICENSE AND STANDARDS ORDINANCE FOR THESE PREMISES, CONTACT THE CITY OF SHERMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT. Reports must also list the employees assigned to emergency conditions and a telephone number reachable during any 24-hour period, with emergencies defined to include fire, natural disaster, flood, collapse hazard, burst pipes or violent crime. A tenant can write comments on the report before signing and gets a copy under section 3.11.008.

The article covers complexes of five or more dwelling units owned by the same person, not single-family rentals.