The Community Development Department strives to ensure the general health and welfare of the community through building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, zoning, and code enforcement, and is responsible for the following:

• Enforces health, sanitation, nuisance and safety related ordinances
• Enforces compliance with all applicable building codes
• Enforces city's zoning ordinance
• Handles all code complaints
• Handles all permit activity
• Informs the public through code enforcement how to improve neighborhood integrity

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Texas Landowner's Bill of Rights http://www.oag.state.tx.us/

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We are in the process of updating this webpage to provide useful information to our visitors. Thank you for your patience as we continually work to provide 24/7 access to this information.

Should you have any questions, please contact the City’s Community Development Office at (817) 299-1870.

The City of Richland Hills has adopted the following building codes for use within the City. These codes are available for research between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday at the office of Community Development located at 3200 Diana Dr. The Richland Hills Public Library also has a copy of the 2003 International Building Code for reference.

Municipal Code of Ordinances http://www.municode.com/

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Zoning Map

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The addition of a carport helps keep our vehicles out of the weather. But, before a carport is erected, a permit is required.

The Communtiy Development Department at City Hall has brochures available that explain what is required concerning the placement and construction of a carport.

You may call the Community Development Office at 299-1870 and the staff will answer any questions you may have about the process.

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How and when should garbage be placed at the street for pickup? Each residential customer must provide and use trash containers (disosable or permanent) sufficient in number to hold the refuse, rubbish, trash and yard waste accumulating on the premises.

The containers must be placed within four feet of the curb at the prescribed curbside location not more than twelve hours prior to the scheduled collection day and no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.

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Now that spring is here, grass and weeds will start growing again. The city code requires that grass and weeds must be maintained at a height no taller than 8 inches on developed property and 12 inches on undeveloped property.

City code also requires a peson who owns, occupies or controls any real developed or undeveloped property to keep the right-of-way adjacent to their property free of weeds and grass to the same height standard.

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WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

When property is suspected of being in violation of city code, an inspection of the property is made to confirm a violation exists. Finding the property in violation, a "Notice of Violation" is sent to the property owner. The notice states the nature of the violation and the time allowed by ordinance to achieve abatement.

At the end of the alloted time period, another inspection is made to confirm abatement. If the violation has been abated, the case is closed.

If the violation has not been abated, a charge (citation) will be filed in Municipal Court. The city may also take other action to obtain abatement of the violation.

The Code Enforcement Officer may extend the time allowed to achieve abatement. This extension is not automatic upon request. The Code Enforcement Officer may take into consideration factors related to the property, such as past violation/abatement history.

A Notice of Violation related to high grass, weeds, junk, and debris is good for one (1) year from the date it is sent. No other notice will be sent to the property owner within that period. Action can be taken by the city without further notice should code violations occur within the twelve (12) month period.

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All construction or work for which a permit is required is subject to inspections by the building official. All such construction or work must remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposed until approved by the building official.

It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the permit to notify the building official that such work is ready for inspection.

The type of inspection will vary depending on the work permitted. The building department will inform the permit holder what inspections are necessary.

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All required permits are issued by the building department. If you are unsure of the need for a permit call (817) 299-1870 and ask if your project requires a permit.

Permits Required: No building or structure regulated by this code shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has been obtained from the building official.

Work Exempt from Permit: Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids.

Painting, papering, or similar finish work.

Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high.

Roofing (no decking involed).

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