Common Code Violations

Please find a list of the top 11 code violations that are reported to the City's Citizen Relations Department for investigation. Further detail may be obtained from the Rosenberg Code of Ordinances or from the 2006 International Codes available from the International Code Council website.

1. Off-Premise Signs - Any sign advertising a business, person, activity, goods, products or services not usually located on the premises where the sign is installed and maintained, or which directs persons to any location not on the premises. These type of signs are prohibited and are deemed illegal.
   (Article XIII section 6-361 and section 6-363 of the Municipal Code)
2. Nuisance Abatement - No property may permit, keep, store, or accumulate refuse, including newspapers, abandoned vehicles, refrigerators, stoves, furniture, tires, and cans on premises for ten days or more, unless the refuse or object is completely enclosed in a building, or is not visible from a public street.
   (Article II Section 14-27 of the Municipal Code)
3. High Weeds and Grass - All property needs to be free of weeds, grass, brush or other vegetation that is greater than twelve (12) inches in height. Exemptions from this provision include: heavily wooded acreage, and/or farming or pasture acreage classified on the tax rolls as "agricultural exempt". Such property shall maintain a clearance of vegetation of at least one hundred (100) feet from any adjacent occupied building, school, athletic field, arena, park or playground.
   (Article II Section 14-29 of the Municipal Code)
4. Junk Vehicles - A vehicle that: (1) Does not have lawfully attached to it: (a) an unexpired license plate or (b) a valid motor vehicle inspection certificate; (2) Is wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, or discarded or (3) Is inoperable and has remained inoperable for more than: (a) seventy-two (72) consecutive hours, if the vehicle is on public property or (b) thirty (30) consecutive days, if the vehicle is on private property.
   (Article VI Section 14-111 of the Municipal Code)
5. Building Conditions - An unsafe building is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property, or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible.
   (2006 International Building Code, 2006 International Property Maintenance Code)
6. Construction without Permit - Any person who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building department and obtain the required permit prior to beginning work.
   (2006 International Building Code)
7. Occupancy without water services - Plumbing Fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be supplied with water in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function properly and without undue noise under normal conditions of use.
   (2006 International Property Maintenance Code)
8. Business without Certificate of Occupancy - No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the city has issued a certificate of occupancy.
   (2006 International Building Code)
9. Mobile Home that is not skirted - All mobile homes and/or manufactured homes must have skirts around the building within thirty (30) days of being placed.
   (Article III Section 17-114 of the Municipal Code)
10. Itinerant Vendors - Itinerant Merchants or Home Solicitors must obtain a permit from the city prior to soliciting, selling, displaying or offering for sale any goods, merchandise, or services within the city.
    (Article IV Section 16-171 - 174 of the Municipal Code)
11. Structures without Address Numbers - Premises must be identified by approved address numbers placed on each building in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers need to be Arabic Numerals or Alphabet Letters. Numbers need to be a minimum of four inches in height with a minimum stroke width of (.5) inches.
    (Article IV Section 11-82 of the Municipal Code)