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2018-150 CIS Division OverviewDate: October 12, 2018 Report No. 2018-150 INFORMAL STAFF REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: This is a brief summary providing information about Community Improvement Services’ history, programs, notification and abatement process, compliance rates, and a sample educational brochure. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The mission of the Community Improvement Services Division (CIS) is to improve the health, safety and public welfare of the Denton community. Improving the quality of life in Denton is a cooperative effort between residents, businesses and City staff. CIS enforces the regulations contained in the Denton Property Maintenance Code, i.e. tall grass and weeds, low-hanging tree limbs, trash and debris, inoperable and junk vehicles, illegal outside storage, stagnant water, graffiti, dilapidated fences, parking on unimproved surfaces and substandard structures. CIS also enforces site line obstructions. On an annual basis, CIS works with the community to maintain an approximate 95% voluntary compliance rate across all enforcement areas. BACKGROUND: In 2006, the Denton City Council charged the Chamber of Commerce with performing a property maintenance assessment in Denton. The Chamber assigned the project to the 2006- 2007 Leadership Denton class. The findings were delivered in a public meeting in January 2007. Per the report, “seventy two percent of the respondents felt that the codes were not being adequately enforced.” The Leadership Denton class made the following recommendations:  Establish an online system for reporting code violations,  Evaluate the existing property maintenance codes for consistency,  Consider additional staffing for code enforcement, and  Provide residents with a quick-reference guide to property maintenance codes in the City of Denton. All four of Leadership Denton’s recommendations were accomplished in FY 2006-2007. Over the next two years, with Council support, many improvements were made including:  Rewriting the property maintenance code,  Implementing proactive code enforcement,  Instituting several focused enforcement programs,  Establishing a 10-week officer training program and Standard Operating Procedures, and  Creating various educational materials, both in English and in Spanish. Date: October 12, 2018 Report No. 2018-150 Currently, CIS has several successful programs:  Dangerous Buildings Program – Since 2009, 387 structures have been demolished and 100 structures have been rehabilitated. Due to the program's 91% voluntary compliance rate, the City has expended $155,185 in 10 years of programming.  Minimum Building Standards Program (MBS) – Program created to decrease the number of structures that would eventually become dangerous due to ongoing neglect and deferred maintenance. Since program implementation in 2011, CIS has opened 4,976 cases (many with multiple violations) to facilitate the repair of exterior concerns such as missing or damaged roofing shingles, broken windows, missing and deteriorated siding, and unpainted wood surfaces on both primary and accessory structures. The MBS Program has a 92% voluntary compliance rate.  Free Graffiti Removal Services – Program designed to remove graffiti from private and public properties. In an effort to further reduce the prevalence of graffiti in the community, CIS has assisted Keep Denton Beautiful with their Mural Art Projects by painting out existing graffiti to provide spaces that are conducive for murals across the community.  Enhanced Right-of-Way Maintenance Program – CIS maintains 215 acres of high visibility rights-of-way (adjacent to residential and business properties) along City entryways and commercial corridors at an enhanced service level to help improve the aesthetic of the community. Over the past 10 years, the City’s property maintenance voluntary compliance rates have steadily risen due to several factors, including a continued increase in community education efforts, working individually with residents on case specific plans to bring properties into compliance, and providing resource information to low-income residents. In FY 2016-2017, CIS distributed 3,104 educational materials and provided education at 34 community events, including Town Hall meetings, Council Member District meetings, homeowner association meetings, university events, the Neighborhood Empowerment Summit, and National Night Out. ORDINANCE UPDATE On November 6, City Council will be asked to consider an ordinance that helps clarify requirements in the Property Maintenance Code and further defines the scope of responsibilities for CIS staff. The original ordinance was passed in May 2017; City Staff had the intent to update the ordinance when necessary to meet the current needs of the City and to further define components to better outline expectations for residents and property owners. Over the past 16 months City staff, has identified four areas that need to be clarified in the current ordinance: 1. Dangerous buildings, 2. Open and abandoned structures, 3. Improperly placed solid waste carts, and 4. View obstructions. Date: October 12, 2018 Report No. 2018-150 These revisions do not alter the mission of CIS and are consistent with processes that CIS staff have recently implemented. The intent of the revised ordinance is to outline the City’s ability to have CIS perform and enforce functions they currently provide. CONCLUSION: In cooperation with local residents, businesses, and other City operations, CIS supports improving the health, safety, and general welfare of the community by facilitating compliance with local property maintenance codes and by offering proactive improvement-oriented support programs. ATTACHMENT(S): Up to Code Brochure (English and Spanish) STAFF CONTACT: Lancine Bentley Community Improvement Services Manager (940) 349-7489 Lancine.Bentley@cityofdenton.com GARAGE/YARD SALES ■No more than 1 sale every 4 months with a limit of 3 days per sale. ■ Signs stating the location and date may not be larger than 6 square feet. ■ No more than 1 sign is allowed on premises and no more than 3 signs may be located off premises. ■ Put out signs no more than 24 hours before the sale and remove within 24 hours after the sale. ■ Signs may not be placed on any public property, e.g. utility or traffic sign poles, utility boxes, street medians, between the curb and sidewalk, etc. HOUSE NUMBERS ■Are required and must be at least 4” high and visible from the street. GRAFFITI ■ Remove graffiti, or paint over all graffiti in a color that closely matches the background. TRASH/RECYCLING CONTAINERS ■ Containers may not be set out until after 6 p.m. the night before scheduled pickup, and all containers and unaccepted items must be removed by 8 a.m. the morning after scheduled pickup. ■ No items may be set outside the containers unless a special collection has been requested from Solid Waste Customer Service. Please call (940) 349-8787 for more information. ■ Containers may not be stored in the front yard, on the front porch, or in front of the main structure on the property. Store containers at the side or back of the residence, in the garage, or in a storage building. TRASH and DEBRIS ■Remove any refuse, trash, debris, junk, garbage, etc. from property, including adjacent easements and rights-of-way. ■ Do not maintain property in a manner that creates unsanitary conditions. PARKING of OVERSIZED VEHICLES ■Recreational vehicles, travel trailers, boats or boat trailers, tow trucks, or any vehicles other than a motor vehicle may not be parked or stored on a residential street. The police department enforces this ordinance - please call (940) 349-8181. PARKING on RIGHTS-OF-WAY ■Do not park any vehicle in or on any right- of-way, including sidewalks, alleys, public easements, etc. Exception: vehicles legally parked on a street or highway. STORAGE of GOODS in RIGHTS-OF-WAY ■Do not store any objects, items, or personal property (basketball goals, skateboard ramps, etc.) in or on any right-of-way such as a side- walk, parkway, street, or easement. PARKING REGULATIONS ■ Park vehicles on improved surfaces only. ■ When adding an improved parking surface, it must be made of the same material, be connected to, and run parallel with the original driveway. ■ Added parking surfaces may not be more than 12’ wide or closer than 3’ to a neighboring property line. If the additional surface is parallel with a sidewalk, there must be at least 5’ between the added surface and the closest edge of the sidewalk. ■ In a side or back yard, that has no improved parking surface, a vehicle may be screened behind a privacy fence or wall. ■ Additional parking surfaces cannot be placed in an easement or right-of-way. ■ Existing dirt driveways must be improved. Options: concrete, asphalt, pavers, and open pavers. (Single-family and duplex residences may opt to use 4” of gravel which must be bordered). ■ Do not use a vehicle for living, sleeping, or storage of trash, debris, or personal property not normally associated with the vehicle. INOPERABLE and JUNK VEHICLES ■ Inoperable vehicles (not in operating condition, one or more flat tires, wrecked, dismantled, or dilapidated) and junk vehicles may not be visible from any right-of-way or adjacent property. ■Only one such vehicle is allowed on residential property if screened completely by a solid, opaque fence or enclosed in a building. ■ A cover or tarp is not considered adequate screening. ■ An inoperable motor vehicle that remains inoperable for more than 30 consecutive days becomes a junk vehicle. TEMPORARY CARPORTS or AUTO SHADE COVERS ■ A structure that provides shade, shelter, or weather protection that is not permanently secured below ground level or that has a non-rigid top material must be removed. TEMPORARY STORAGE CONTAINERS/ PORTABLE STORAGE UNITS (PODS) ■Shall be permitted by the Building Inspections Division. Please call (940) 349-8360 for more information. Post permit in a visible location. ■ Limited to 3, 30-day permits per calendar year. ■Storage containers must be located on an improved surface. ■ Storage containers may not be located in any part of a fire lane, required parking space or maneuvering lane, public right-of-way, or visibility triangle. ■ Property must have a primary structure to which the storage container is an accessory use. ■ Storage containers less than 120 square feet, located in a back yard and screened from public view, do not require a permit. OUTSIDE STORAGE ■Items or objects shall be located in the side or back yard only and shall be completely screened from public view. ■ Children’s play equipment, smokers, barbeque grills, and furniture or appliances designated for outdoor use shall be stored in the side or back yard, but do not need to be screened. ■ Outdoor furniture that is in good repair may be maintained in the front yard. For more information, visit www.cityofdenton.com. Community Improvement Services City Hall East 601 E. Hickory, Suite B Denton, TX 76205 (940) 349-8743 Published 02/18 • ADA/EOE/ADEA TDD (800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com ■ Tree limbs lower than 7’ above a sidewalk must be trimmed. ■ Vegetation growing or encroaching upon improved rights-of-way (sidewalks, curbs, or streets) must be removed. FENCE REQUIREMENTS ■ Replacement or substantial repairs will require a fence permit which is obtained through the Building Inspections Division at (940) 349-8360. ■ Fences are to be constructed with the smooth side facing out. ■ Construction—wood, wrought iron, masonry, brick, vinyl, PVC, or composite material. Support frames, braces, and fastenings must be on the inside of fences. ■ Newly constructed side and back yard fences —8’ maximum; front yard fences—3.5’ maximum. ■ Must be set back at least 10’ from the street or alley or 5’ from the sidewalk, whichever is greater. ■ Shall not be placed in any right-ofway, ease- ment, fire lane, required parking space, or obstruct any visibility sight lines or triangles. FENCE MAINTENANCE ■ Shall be maintained in sound structural condition with no broken, loose, damaged, or missing parts. ■ Repairs must be made using the same or similar materials of like color, size, and shape of the original fence. ■ If 50 percent or more of one side of a fence needs repair, the entire side must be replaced. The City of Denton’s Community Improvement Services Division is committed to improving the quality of life for each Denton resident and business. Our mission is to work with residents and businesses to preserve the health, beauty, safety, and property values of the community through compliance with City codes. Community Improvement Services proactively enforces the Denton Property Maintenance Code (DPMC), i.e. nuisance, general property maintenance, minimum building standards, and dangerous building regulations. Improving health and safety, enhancing the city’s appearance, and maintaining property values is a cooperative effort between the City and its residents. This brochure highlights many of the ordinances found in the DPMC. For more details, visit www.cityofdenton.com. GRASS, WEEDS, and OTHER VEGETATION ■ In yards, easements, and rights-of-way (including easements and rights-of-way behind fences), grass and weeds shall not be taller than 12”. ■ Vegetation that is growing within 1’ of a street or alley, which interferes with traffic or visibility, must be removed. ■ Tree limbs lower than 13.5’ above a street or 12’ above an alley that obstruct vehicular traffic must be trimmed. MINIMUM BUILDING STANDARDS Protective Treatment ■Maintain all exterior surfaces, including but not limited to walls, windows, doors, door and window frames, cornices, porches, trim, balconies, decks, and fences, in good condition. ■ Exterior wood surfaces shall be free of all peeling, flaking, chalking, and chipped paint. ■ Metal surfaces must be free from any rust and coated to inhibit rust or corrosion. Exterior Walls and Surfaces ■Shall be maintained free from holes, breaks, loose, missing, or rotting materials. ■ Shall be maintained with paint or similar surface treatment to protect them from weather conditions, decay, and rust. Roofs and Drainage ■ Repairs and replacements shall be made of approved roofing materials and installed according to manufacturer’s guidelines. ■Coverings and materials shall not be missing, broken, rotted, split, curled, or buckled. ■ Shall be sound and tight to not admit rain or surface drainage water. ■ Shall not allow dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the structure. ■ Drains, gutters, and downspouts shall be maintained in good condition and free from obstructions. ■ Roof water shall not discharge in a manner that creates a public nuisance. Various Features ■ Garage doors, cornices, belt courses, corbels, trim, wall facings, manufactured and mobile home skirting, and other similar features shall be properly anchored, and maintained in good and safe condition. Unsecured and Vacant ■Unoccupied buildings or structures must be locked, boarded up, or otherwise secured so as not to allow entry by unauthorized persons. La División de Mejoramiento de la Comunidad de la Ciudad de Denton está comprometida a proveer una calidad de vida óptima para cada residente de la Ciudad. La división ofrece servicios que aseguran la salud, seguridad y bienestar general de los ciudadanos de nuestra comunidad. El Departamento de Aplicación del Código de forma proactiva hace cumplir el Código de Mantenimiento de Propiedad de Denton (DPMC), es decir, mantenimiento de la propiedad en general, y reglamentos de construcción peligrosos. La división está expandiendo sus servicios para incluir el cumplimiento de las normas de construcción mínimas. Mejorando la salud y seguridad, mejorando la apariencia de la Ciudad, y manteniendo los valores de propiedad es un esfuerzo cooperativo entre la Ciudad y sus residentes. Este folleto enfatiza muchas de las ordenanzas encontradas en el DPMC. Para obtener más detalles, visite www.cityofdenton.com. PASTO, MALESA Y OTRO TIPO DE VEGETACIÓN■ En jardines, banquetas y derechos devía (incluyendo las banquetas y derechosde paso detrás de las cercas), la hierba ymaleza no deberá ser más alta de 12”.■ La vegetación que crece más de 1’hacia la calle ó callejón, que interfierecon el tráfico ó la visibilidad, debe ser eliminada.■ Las ramas de árboles más bajas de13.5’ por encima de una calle ó 12” porencima de un callejón que obstruyen el tráfico vehicular, deben ser recortadas.■ Las ramas de árboles inferiores a 7’ porencima de la acera ó banqueta deben serrecortadas.■ Vegetación que crece ó invade elderecho de paso (banquetas, bordillos, óen las calles) debe ser removida. REQUERIMIENTOS PARA CERCAS■ Construcción -- madera, hierroforjado, albañilería, ladrillo, vinilo, PVC,ó materiales compuestos. Marcos deapoyo, refuerzos, y los cierres debenestar en el interior de las cercas.■ Cercas laterales ó traseras de nuevaconstrucción – 8’ máximo; máxima parael patio delantero es de 3.5’.■ Deben ser empezadas por lo menosa 10’ de la calle ó callejón ó 5’ de labanqueta, lo que sea mayor.■ No podrán colocarse en cualquierderecho de vía, banqueta, línea de fuego,espacio de estacionamiento requerido,u obstruir la vista de cualquier línea ótriangulo de visibilidad. MANTENIMIENTO DE CERCAS■ Se mantendrá en buenas condicionesestructurales sin partes rotas, flojas,dañadas, ó con piezas faltantes.■ Las reparaciones deben deberánhacerse utilizando el mismo ó muysimilar material y composición, color,tamaño, forma y calidad.■ Si el 50 por ciento ó más de uno de loslados de la cerca necesíta reparación,toda la parte debe ser reemplazada. GARAJE / VENTAS DE GARAJE■ No más de una venta cada 4 meses conun límite de 3 días por venta.■ Los anuncios indicando la ubicación yfecha no pueden más grandes de 6 piescuadrados.■ No más de un anuncio se permite en lalocalidad y no más de tres anuncios sepueden situar fuera de las instalaciones.■ Los anuncios no se pueden poner conmás de 24 horas antes de la venta ydeben ser removidos 24 horas despuésde la venta. NORMAS MÍNIMAS DE CONSTRUCCIÓNTratamiento de Protección■ Mantenga todas las superficies exteriores,incluyendo pero no limitado a paredes, ventanas, puertas, los marcos de las puertas y ventanas, cornisas, balcones, molduras, terrazas, y cercas en buenas condiciones.■ La superficies exteriores de madera debenestar exentos de cualquier descamación, tiza y pintura picada.■ Las superficies metálicas deben estar libresde óxido y cubiertas con algún material que previene la oxidación ó corrosión. Paredes Exteriores y Superficies■ Deben mantenerse sin agujeros, y sinmaterial quebrado ó faltante, suelto ó descompuesto.■ Debe mantenerse con tratamientosuperficial de pintura ó similar para protegerlos de las condiciones climáticas, decadencia, y óxido. Techos y Drenaje■ Las reparaciones y sustituciones se haránde materiales aprobados para techos e instalados de acuerdo a las guías del fabricante.■ Los materiales y cubiertas no puedenestar quebradas, descompuestas, divididas, rizadas ó amarradas.■ Deben estar en buen estado y firmes parano dejar que entre lluvia ó agua de drenaje superficial.■ No deben permitir humedad ó deteriorode las paredes ó la parte interior de la estructura.■ Los drenajes, alcantarillas y desagüesdeberán mantenerse en buenas condiciones y libres de obstrucciones.■ Agua del techo no se puede descargar deuna manera que cree una molestia pública. Varias Características■ Las puertas de garaje, cornisas, cursos decinturón, ménsulas, molduras, la vista de las paredes, manufacturadas, el bordeado de las casas móviles, y otras características similares, deberán estar debidamente ancladas, y mantenidas en un buen y seguro estado. No Aseguradas y Vacantes ■ Edificios desocupados ó estructuras tienenque estar cerradas, tapiadas, ó de alguna manera aseguradas a fin de no permitir la entrada de personas no autorizadas. Code Enforcement Division 601 E. Hickory St., Suite B Denton, TX 76205 (940) 349-8743 www.cityofdenton.com/code ■Los anuncios no se pueden colocaren cualquier propiedad pública, porejemplo, postes de utilidades ó tráfico,cajas de servicios públicos, ó colocadosen medio de la calle, etc. NÚMEROS DE CASA■ Si requieren y debe ser al menos 4pulgadas de altura y visibles desde lacalle. GRAFITI■ Quitar ó pintar sobre todo grafiti. CONTENEDORES DE BASURA/RECICLAJE■ Los contenedores no podránestablecerse afuera hasta después delas 6 pm del día antes de la recolecciónprogramada, y todos los contenedores ylos artículos no aceptados deberán serretirados para las 8 am después de larecolección programada.■ Nada puede estar fuera de loscontenedores a menos que unacolección especial se haya solicitado alDepartamento de Servicio al Cliente deResiduos Sólidos. Por favor llame al(940) 349-8700 para más información.■ Los contenedores no podrán seralmacenados en el patio delantero, enel porche delantero, ó en frente de laestructura principal de la propiedad.Almacene los contenedores en la partelateral ó posterior de la residencia,en el garaje ó en un edificio dealmacenamiento. BASURA Y ESCOMBROS■ Quite cualquier basura, escombros,chatarra, etc. de la propiedad, incluyendobanquetas adyacentes y derechos de vía.■ Mantenga la propiedad de una maneraque no cree condiciones insalubres. ESTACIONAMIENTO DE VEHICULOS GRANDES■Vehículos recreativos, casas rodantes,botes ó remolques de embarcaciones,camiones de remolque, ó cualquiervehículo que no sea un vehículo de motorno puede ser estacionado ó almacenadoen una calle residencial. El departamentode policía hace cumplir esta ordenanza:por favor, llame al (940) 349-8181. ESTACIONAMIENTO EN DERECHO DE VÍA■ No estacione un vehículo en ó sobrecualquier derecho de vía, incluyendobanquetas, callejones, vía pública,calles ó carreteras. Excepción: vehículoslegalmente estacionados en una calle ócarretera. ALMACENAMIENTO DE MERCANCIA EN DERECHOS DE VÍA■ No mantenga objetos, elementos óbienes personales (metas de baloncesto,rampas de patinaje, etc.) en ó sobrecualquier derecho de vía como unabanqueta, avenida ó calle. REGULACIONES DE ESTACIONAMIENTO■ Estacione vehículos en superficiespavimentada solamente.■ Cuando se añade espacio a unasuperficie de estacionamiento, debeser hecha del mismo material, estarvinculado y paralelo con la entradaoriginal.■ Las superficies de estacionamientoañadidas no podrán ser superiores a12’ de ancho ó cerca de 3’ a la líneade la propiedad vecina. Si la superficieadicional es paralela a la banqueta, debehaber por lo menos 5’ entre la superficiedel agregado y el borde más próximo dela banqueta. ■ En un patio lateral ó trasero, que notiene estacionamiento de superficiepavimentada, el vehículo puede ser tapadodetrás de una cerca ó pared.■ Superficies adicionales deestacionamiento no pueden ser colocadasen el derecho de vía, ó interferir con lavisibilidad del tráfico.■ Las actuales calzadas de tierra debe serpavimentadas. Opciones: concreto, asfalto,adoquines, adoquín abierto. (ViviendasUnifamiliares y dúplex pueden optarpor usar 4” de grava, la cual debe serbordeada).■ No utilice un vehículo para vivir, dormir,ó almacenamiento de basura, escombros,ó de bienes personales que no se asociannormalmente con el vehículo. VEHICULOS INSERVIBLES/CHATARRA■ Vehículos inoperables (no en condicionesde funcionamiento, uno ó más neumáticosdesinflados, chocados, desmantelados,ó en mal estado) y los vehículos chatarrano pueden ser visibles desde cualquierderecho de vía ó propiedad adyacente.■ Sólo un vehículo se permite en lapropiedad residencial si es cubiertocompletamente por una cerca ó guardadoen un edificio.■ Una cubierta ó lona no es consideradacomo una cubierta adecuada.■ Un vehículo de motor inoperable quesigue siendo inoperante durante más de30 días consecutivos, se convierte en unvehículo chatarra. COCHERAS TEMPORALES Ó CUBIERTAS DE AUTOS■ Una estructura que da sombra, refugioó protección contra la intemperie que noestá permanentemente asegurada, anclada al nivel del suelo ó que no se compone de un material rígido debe ser removido. ALMACENAMIENTO TEMPORAL /UNIDADES DE ALMACENAMIENTO PORTÁTIL (PODS)■ Se debe obtener un permiso deuso temporal del Departamento deInspección de Construcciones. Porfavor llame al (940) 349-8360 paramás información. El permiso debe sercolocado en una ubicación visible.■ Limitado a 3 permisos, por cada 30días de permiso por calendario anual.■Contenedores de almacenamientodeben ser situadas en una superficiepavimentada.■ Contenedores de almacenamiento nopodrán estar situados en cualquier partede la línea de fuego, espacio requeridopara estacionamiento, del derecho depaso público, ó triángulo de visibilidad.■ La propiedad debe tener una estructuraprimaria a la que el contenedor dealmacenamiento sea un accesorio en uso.■ Contenedores de almacenamientoinferior a 120 pies cuadrados, ubicadosen un patio trasero, y ocultos de la vistapública, no necesitan tener un permiso. ALMACENAMIENTO EXTERIOR■ Objetos ó utensilios deben serlocalizados en el patio lateral ó trasero ydeben estar completamente cubiertos dela vista pública.■ Equipo de juego de niños, parrillas,asadores y muebles diseñados parauso exterior deben ser guardados en laparte lateral ó el patio trasero, pero nonecesitan ser cubiertos.■ Muebles para exteriores ó jardínque están en buena condición puedenmantenerse en el patio delantero. Published by PCO, 02/18 • ADA/EOE/ADEA TDD (800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com Para más información llame al (940) 349-8743, ó visite www.cityofdenton.com.