Code Enforcement

Grass and Weeds become a violation when the growth exceeds 9 inches in height. The owner and/or the tenant are/is responsible for maintaining the property in its entirety:

• Exceeding their property line and mowing/weed eating to the curb line of adjacent streets (if there is one) or to the edge of the pavement of adjacent streets where no curb exists
• Exceeding their property line and mowing/weed eating to the center of adjacent unimproved rights-of-way including alleys
• AND exceeding their property line to the area between their fence and into any abutting drainage ditch to the edge of the pavement of any adjacent streets.

If your property abuts an M1 or other deep ditch, you must exceed your property line to the area outside your fence and to the top of the ditch closest to the property.

If your property is agriculturally exempt as defined by the Brazoria County Appraisal District's requirements and does not contain a structure fit for human habitation, you must maintain the perimeter of the property within 50 feet from any adjacent property under different ownership and from any street right-of-way. If you are unable to provide documentation of the exemption, you will be required to mow the entire property.

If your property is undeveloped and has not been cleared, you will be required to clear all brush and undergrowth within 50 feet from any adjacent property under different ownership and from any street right-of-way.

According to the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code as adopted by The City of Alvin's Code of Ordinances, all structures must be maintained free from deterioration or dilapidation. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Houses
• Sheds
• Fences
• Garages and/or detached garages

Any structure that is unsecured, dilapidated, has structural damage or is deemed dangerous by the City of Alvin's Building Official shall be repaired, replaced or demolished.

Some structures are not considered dangerous but still violate the International Property Maintenance Code. The Code Officer will work closely with the Building Official to determine the most appropriate course of action.

Temporary signs are prohibited by city ordinance with few exceptions. Prohibited signs include, but are not limited to:

• Bandit/snipe signs
• Flags
• Feather flags without a permit
• Vehicular signs (except wrapped vehicles) streamers
• Pennants
• Oversized balloons
• Regular balloons
• Any inflatables
• Banners without a permit
• Signs which use air compressors to remain inflated or to cause them to continue "flapping" in order to draw attention, etc.

Political signs are exempt from this ordinance as long as they are not placed in a right-of-way or easement.

We recommend contacting Code Enforcement if you are unsure your sign is permitted before spending the money on it... just in case!!

A vehicle is not considered a junked vehicle just because it hasn't been moved for any number of days, months or even years. As long as the vehicle is operable OR has a current registration, it is not considered to be in violation.

Do all three of the following apply?

1. Self Propelled
2. Expired Registration
3. Doesn't Run

If yes, then this is a junked vehicle. If no, then this is not a junked vehicle. 

Residents are permitted to store an RV on their property provided it is not connected to water and/or sewer. The RV may, however, be safely connected to electricity.

RVs are not permitted to be lived in unless they are located within an approved RV Park or RV Resort.

The graffiti ordinance allows for the City of Alvin to cover graffiti on public property. If you call and the graffiti is on a cable or telephone box on public property, for example, a Code Officer is able to cover it fairly quickly.

If the graffiti is on private property, we are required to notify the property owner and give them 15 days to cover or remove the graffiti. We also provide an option for the City of Alvin to cover it for the property owner; however, they will have to sign a waiver permitting us to enter their property and cover the graffiti.