FAQs • Wichita Falls • CivicEngage

Who may file a complaint in Municipal Court?: A complaint is a sworn allegation charging a person with the commission of an offense under either state law or a city’s ordinance. As a general rule, anyone who is acquainted with the facts of an alleged offense may file a complaint in municipal court alleging a violation of a state law or city ordinance. Accordingly, if a code enforcement official or code enforcement officer did not see or witness the alleged offense, a citizen must file a complaint. In order for the court to act upon a complaint, the complaint must be sworn to before any officer authorized to administer oaths, including the municipal judge, clerk or deputy clerk of the court, city secretary, city attorney or deputy city attorney.

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Code Enforcement

1. How many letters are sent for a code violation?: One courtesy letter is sent a year per violation per property. If the issue is not resolved within the stated time frame, citations may be issued without further notice.

2. Can I get more time than what is stated in the courtesy letter to take care of the violation?: In most cases, yes. You will need to speak with the Code Officer who sent you the letter. They can be contacted at the phone number listed on the letter.

3. I received a letter for rubbish and trash but, I didn't put it there. Am I still responsible?: Yes. A property owner is responsible for any violations on their property.

4. I have a tenant living in a property that I own. Can I get a fine for their violation of an ordinance?: If city water is active in the tenant's name, they will get the same letter as the owner and the tenant will be responsible for any citations. However, if city water is active in the property owner's name or is inactive, citations may be issued to the owner.

5. Is there an ordinance prohibiting the parking of vehicles in a back yard?: No, as long as the vehicles are operable and have current tags and inspection stickers they may be parked in the back yard.

6. There is a vehicle on my property that doesn't belong to me, how do I get it removed?: You would need to contact a tow company to remove vehicle(s) from your property. This procedure is called a Private Lot Impound.

7. Can Code Enforcement Officers look over a fence to inspect a complaint?: No. Code Enforcement Officers cannot look over, under or through privacy or screening fences to view a violation. Code Officers can only inspect complaints that can be seen from public view such as a street, alley, or from another property with the property owner's consent provided that the violation can be seen in plain view from the property without having to look over through or under a privacy or screening fence.

8. Is a property owner or tenant responsible for mowing the alley?: Yes. Each property owner or tenant is responsible for keeping the alley cleaned and mowed to the midpoint of the alley.

9. Can Code Enforcement tell my neighbor to cut their tree limbs that are hanging over onto my property?: No. That would be a civil matter between you and your neighbor.

10. Is there an ordinance requiring the removal of dead trees?: No. There is no ordinance requiring the removal of dead trees-only the removal of tree limbs that are on the ground.

11. How do I obtain or check on a building permit?: Please contact the Building Inspections Division at 940.761.7459.

12. How can I find who the current owner of a property is?: Please contact the Wichita County Appraisal District office at 940.322-2435, or visit their website: https://propaccess.wadtx.com/clientdb/?cid=1
Wichita Appraisal District

13. Who do I contact regarding an inoperable vehicle on the street?: Please contact the Police Department at 940.720.5000.

14. Who do I contact regarding basketball goals on the street?: Please contact the Police Department at 940.720.5000.

15. Who do I contact regarding grass being blown onto streets?: Please contact the Public Works Environmental Coordinator at 940.761.7670

16. What area is considered the right-of-way?: The actual area that is right-of-way can vary due to several factors, for this reason it is recommended anyone interested in finding property, easement or right-of-way boundaries refer to a survey or plat map of the property. You can reach the Wichita County Plat Office at 940.766.8212

17. Who do I contact for vehicles that are parked blocking an alley?: Please contact the Police Department at 940.720.5000.

18. What are the requirements to place a shipping container (conex box) on my property?: Shipping containers are considered a storage building and a building permit is required to place one on a property. Contact Building Inspections for information on the permitting process at 940.761.7459.

19. Who may file a complaint in Municipal Court?: A complaint is a sworn allegation charging a person with the commission of an offense under either state law or a city’s ordinance. As a general rule, anyone who is acquainted with the facts of an alleged offense may file a complaint in municipal court alleging a violation of a state law or city ordinance. Accordingly, if a code enforcement official or code enforcement officer did not see or witness the alleged offense, a citizen must file a complaint. In order for the court to act upon a complaint, the complaint must be sworn to before any officer authorized to administer oaths, including the municipal judge, clerk or deputy clerk of the court, city secretary, city attorney or deputy city attorney.