22-2206ORDINANCENO. 22-2206
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON AMENDING CHAPTER 16, ARTICLE V, OF THE CODE
OF ORDINANCES (LICENSES, PERMITS AND BUSINESS REGULATION - PURCHASE AND SALE
OF PRECIOUS METALS AND JEWELRY), TO ADD DEFINITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THEPURCHASE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING ASAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION AND CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING ANEFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Denton, Texas ("City") finds it in the best interest of the citizens of the City
of Denton to amend Chapter 16, Article V, of the Denton Code of Ordinances, as set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the National Insurance Crime Bureau has reported that the claims of catalytic converters
thefts rose nationally from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020 because precious metals ofrhodium, palladium, and
platinum contained in catalytic converters; and
WHEREAS, the City of Denton had a total of 187 reported catalytic converters thefts in 2021 and as of
August 24, 2022, have already had 221 reported stolen; and
WHEREAS, City Staff recommends adopting an Ordinance amending Chapter 16, Article V, of the
Denton City Code of Ordinances to add definitions and requirements for metal recycling entities to address
the increasing cases of theft of catalytic converters,
NOW, THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1: The findings and recitations contained in the preamble of this Ordinance are incorporated herein
by reference to the body of this Ordinance as if fully set forth herein.
SECTION 2: The City Council finds that adopting this Amendment to the City Code of Ordinances enhance
the quality of life of the citizens of the City of Denton and serves a compelling law enforcement need.
SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and approval.
SECTION 4. Chapter 16, Article V, of the City of Denton Code of Ordinances entitled “Licenses, Permits and
Business Regulation - Purchase and Sale of Precious Metals and Jewelry,” is hereby amended to add asfollows
Chapter 16 – Licenses, Permits and Business Regulation
Article V: Purchase of Precious Metals and Jewelry
Sec. 16-151. – Definitions
Catalytic conveNer means an exhaust emission control device that reduces toxic gases and
pollutants from internal combustion; this includes any material removed from a catalytic converter.
Metal recycling entity means a business that is operated from a fixed location and is predominantly
engaged in:
( 1) performing the manufacturing process by which scrap, used, or obsolete ferrous or nonferrous
metal is converted into raw material products consisting of prepared grades and having an existing or
potential economic value, by a method that in part requires the use of powered tools and equipment,
including processes that involve processing, sorting, cutting, classifying, cleaning, baling, wrapping,
shredding, shearing, or changing the physical form of that metal;
(2) the use of raw material products described under Paragraph (1) in the manufacture of producer
or consumer goods; or
(3) purchasing or otherwise acquiring scrap, used, or obsolete ferrous or nonferrous metals for the
eventual use of the metal for the purposes described by Paragraph (1) or (2).
Regulated Property means new or used:
(1) Gold;(2) Silver;
(3) Jewelry; or
(4) Crafted precious metals, including catalytic converters
Sec. 16-152 - Regulated property purchases; records.
(2) if the regulated property purchased is a catalytic converter, the purchaser or metal recycling
entity shall
(e) (1) take a photograph of:
a. All sides of the catalytic converter, and if round, both halves;b. the serial number and
c. any owner applied number, such as an etched serial number, VIN,
etc
d. the full face of the seller without a hat
(2) upload the photographs into the police department’s selected law enforcement online
rnvestrgatlon system;
(3) record a clear and legible thumb print of the seller
SECTION 5: This Ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances of the City of Denton, except
where the provisions of this Ordinance are in direct conflict with the provisions of such ordinances, in which
event the conflicting provisions of such ordinances are hereby repealed.
SECTION 6: it is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the phrases, clauses, sentences,
paragraphs, and sections of this Ordinance are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section
of this Ordinance, shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent
jurisdiction, such urlconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs
and sections of this Ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by the City Council without the
incorporation in this ordinance of any
SECTION 7: The City Secretary is hereby directed to record and publish the attached rule, regulation, and
policy in the City’s Code of Ordinances as authorized by the Texas Local Government Code.
SECTION 8: This Ordinance shall be effective upon its passage, and the City Secretary is hereby directed
to cause the caption of this Ordinance to be published twice in the Denton Record-Chronicle, the official
newspaper of the City of Denton, within ten (10) days of the date of its passage.
Th, m,ti,„ t, ,pp„„, thi, Ordinance was made by BriM BecK and seconded by
&wIde\ (IAB }qC(uk ; this Ordinance was passed and approved by the following vote n_ - a:
Abstain Absent
Mayor Gerard Hudspeth
Vicki Byrd, District 1 :
Brian Beck, District 2:
Jesse Davis, District 3:
Alison McGuire, District 4:
Brandon Chase McGee, At Large Place 5:
Chris Watts, At Large Place 6:
AyeIZ
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Nay
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 25tl day of MbE _, 2022.g:xfa.
ATTEST:
ROSA RIOS, CITY SECRETARY b\\111111111
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APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:MACK RErNWAND, CITY ATTORNEY