Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association

Know Cowboy Cody's Most Unwanted

Fort Worth Code Compliance Department's Cowboy Cody is coming to town. He's looking to find a clean and safe city, where neighbors respect each other and everyone helps keep their neighborhoods in good condition.

To be sure Cowboy Cody gives your neighborhood the "A-OK," here are a few of the things he really doesn't want to find:

~High Grass & Weeds~
Any property that has grass or weeds taller than an average of 12 inches is declared a nuisance. High grass and weeds give unwanted critters a place to hide and multiply and also are a fire hazard.

Keep that yard trimmed, or you could face a fine up to $2,000.

~Junk & Debris~
Old junk, trash, appliances, tires, rubbish, furniture or anything else stored outside can be dangerous and hazardous. It just doesn't look good, either.

Clean it up, throw it out or store it properly. Otherwise, you might find yourself with a fine up to $2,000.

~Junk Vehicles~
A vehicle that does not run is illegal if it is visible to the public and does not have current license and inspection and is either wrecked, dismantled or hasn't run in more than 45 days.

Junk vehicles can be confiscated - never to be returned - and earn you a fine up to $2,000. Move it.

~Yard Parking~
Vehicles that can move on their own power, like cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles, must be parked on pavement or on an approved surface, not in the grass in front of or on the side of a house.

To avoid a fine up to $50, move it around back or park it on an approved surface.

~Substandard Structures~
In the city limits, houses and other buildings must meet certain standards as set by the minimum building standards ordinance. Buildings that are falling apart are dangerous.

Keep buildings up to code or you could be fined up to $2,000.

~Too Many Dogs or Cats~
For health reasons, each property is limited to three cats and three dogs above the age of eight weeks. Also, pets must be registered and vaccinated.

Pet owners with too many animals can be fined up to $2,000 for each offense.

~Open & Vacant Structures~
Any building or home that is open and vacant is a violation of city code. If you own a property that currently is unoccupied, be sure to keep it closed and secure. If you don't, you could be fined up to $2,000.

~Zoning Issues~
Residential zoned properties are for residences only - not for businesses, junkyards, outside storage, illegal fences, auto repair shops, etc. Illegal uses of zoned areas can result in a $2,000 fine.

~Over-sized Vehicles~
Over-sized commercial vehicles weighing at least 15,000 pounds cannot be parked in
residential areas. Parking over-sized vehicles can earn the owner a fine up to $200.

~Stagnant Water~
Dirty standing water gives mosquitoes a place to breed and grow. Dump or treat pools, flowerpots, buckets, birdbaths or any place water can accumulate. Otherwise, you could face a fine up to $2,000.

For more information or to report a suspected violation, call the Code Compliance Department at 817-392-1234.

Avoid Fines by Keeping Your Grass and Weeds Cut

Avoid forking over a pile of green stuff to have the city cut down your other green stuff.

If grass and weeds on your property are more than 12 inches high, you will receive a one-time certified notice and have 10 days to mow the turf. If you dont, a city contractor will do the job for you, and it wont be cheap. The average bill for a residential lot is $250, payable within 30 days.

A one-time notification policy went into effect in 1997, allowing the city to mow high grass and weeds anytime during the one-year period after the notice has been issued.

Property owners who receive a notice and question whether their property is in violation should contact the citys Code Compliance Department at 817-392-1234. Billing appeals should be put in writing and forwarded to the Code Compliance Weed Dispute, 715 Texas St., Fort Worth, 76102.

Residents must make their appeals within six months of mowing.

Tall grass and weeds harbor pests and contribute to fires. They're unsightly, unhealthy and a violation of city code.

Front, Side Yard Parking is Illegal

Today, with most families having two or more automobiles, having enough parking spaces at a residence sometimes can be a problem. When visitors drive up, often there is no space to park, so they pull into the front yard. But that's a violation of the city's code.

It is illegal to park a vehicle in a residences front or side yard unless it is parked on a hard-surfaced brick, concrete or asphalt slab or six inches of gravel bounded by a permanent border of concrete or stone. It also is illegal to park on sidewalks, or front walks those going from house porches to sidewalks or streets â€" for any length of time. Neither sidewalks nor front walks have been approved for vehicle storage.

This ordinance is enforced by the Code Compliance Department, and violations carry a fine up to $60.

If you have questions about yard parking, call 817-392-1234.

Remember, if its not a hard surface, its not a place to park.

With spring almost upon us, many Fort Worth Residents will be cleaning out junk rooms and hosting that great American event--a garage sale.

Before setting out "another man's treasure," residents should be aware of city codes affecting garage sales. To avoid receiving a citation, ask yourself the following questions:

*How many garage sales have I had already this year? Only 2 per year are allowed.

*Do I have a permit for a garage sale? You must have one at least 72 hours before beginning your sale. Permits can be obtained free of charge from the Development Department.
Visit http://www.fortworthgov.org/development or call 817-392-2222.

*Am I selling new items? The sale of new things obtained just for resale at a home is prohibited.

*Will I be able to confine merchandise to the garage and/or patio areas? Items should be displayed only on the patio or in garage areas, not strewn about your property.

*Will I be able to resist putting up extra signs for this sale? One sign--on your property--is the only sign allowed. All other signs are violations of city code.

Don't wipe out your garage sale proceeds by receiving a code violation and a subsequent fine.

To report illegal garage sales, call the Code Compliance Department at 817-392-1234.

Happy New Year from Code Compliance

We are having the first Code Ranger training class on January 22, 2005
at 8:00am - 4:00pm, which will be located at the Intermodal Transportation Center at 1001 Jones St. The class is to certify new volunteers for the Code Ranger Program. We will need to have registration forms filled out for each person.

We look forward to working with you in this program to enhance our
neighborhood safety and cleanliness for our families to live in. If you
wish to have a meeting with the Neighborhood Response Officer assigned to your area we would be honored to come to your location and give a short presentation. Thank you so much for the work that you all do to help make our community a safer and more attractive city to live in. You can reach your officer at the following numbers.

Code Ranger Supervisor: Robert Chambers - 817-392-6574 (office)
817-994-0634 (cell)
Shawn Elder: Officer - E. side of City: 817-392-6319(office)
817-994-6958 (cell)
Shelly Garcia: Officer - N. side of City: 817-392-6318(office)
817-269-8652 (cell)
'Bud' Bishop: Officer - W. side of City: 817-392-2392(office)
817-999-8834(cell)

Wm. 'Bud' Bishop
Neighborhood Response Team
Code Compliance Department
City of Fort Worth, Texas