FAQs • Cedar Park, TX • CivicEngage

How do Code Compliance Officers work to enforce city ordinances?

When a complaint is investigated and found to be valid, they first attempt to make personal contact with the property owner.
If no one is home, they will leave a door hanger notifying the owner/occupant of the violation, giving a time frame in which to remediate the problem and making themselves available for questions.
In the case of vacant property, a phone call is attempted before a letter notifying the property owner of the violation.
After the initial period indicated on the door hanger, the officers will re-inspect the property. If the problem has not been rectified but some effort has been made to improve the situation, the officers will extend the time.
If no efforts have been made, they will then send formal notices of violation to the property owners. If no efforts to fix the problem are subsequently made, the officers can file charges in municipal court and in some instances can use City funds to abate the problem.

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Development Services - Code Compliance

1. Where can I find the City Code of Ordinances?: View the City of Cedar Park Code of Ordinances online.

2. What are the common complaints that the Code Compliance Officers investigate?: Overgrown lots, junk vehicles and other hazardous conditions.

There are a number of ways you can report a Code Compliance issue:

Visit our Report It page (this method puts your complaint directly into our work order system and allows you to track the progress of our resolution of your complaint)
Email Code Compliance
Call Code Compliance at 512-401-5208
Come to City Hall Campus and speak with a Code Compliance Officer or drop off a written complaint; we are located at:
450 Cypress Creek Road
Building One
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Mail your written complain to us at:
The City of Cedar Park
Attn.: Code Compliance
450 Cypress Creek Road
Building One
Cedar Park, TX 78613

4. How will I find out what happens to my complaint?: By utilizing the Report It portal, your complaint goes directly into our work order system and is routed to the correct staff. If you share your contact information, you will receive updates as staff work to reach a resolution to the issue reported and you will be notified when the work order is resolved and closed. However, if you choose not to leave your contact information we have no way of sending you status updates.

5. How long does it take for the Code Compliance Officers to investigate my complaint?: Our Code Compliance Officers typically perform an initial investigation within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, of receiving your complaint. Complaints are prioritized in order of health and safety risk to the community.

6. What if I want to remain anonymous?: When you use the Report It portal, you may choose to stay anonymous. However, if you choose not to leave your contact information we have no way of sending you status updates regarding the resolution or outcome of your complaint. Whether you identify yourself or choose to remain anonymous, please rest assured that our professional staff never share a complainant’s information.

7. How can I get my HOA (or POA or COA) covenants, conditions and restrictions (CCRs) enforced by the City?: The City can only enforce the City Code of Ordinances. Only your HOA (or POA or COA) and/or Property Manager can enforce your homeowners, property owners or condo owners association's deed restrictions. This covenant is between you, the developer and your neighboring owners and the City is not a party to the contract.

8. What can I do if I disagree with a City Ordinance?: If you feel that a City Ordinance needs to be changed, please send your suggestion to City Staff via email or you may also email City Council Members.

When a complaint is investigated and found to be valid, they first attempt to make personal contact with the property owner.
If no one is home, they will leave a door hanger notifying the owner/occupant of the violation, giving a time frame in which to remediate the problem and making themselves available for questions.
In the case of vacant property, a phone call is attempted before a letter notifying the property owner of the violation.
After the initial period indicated on the door hanger, the officers will re-inspect the property. If the problem has not been rectified but some effort has been made to improve the situation, the officers will extend the time.
If no efforts have been made, they will then send formal notices of violation to the property owners. If no efforts to fix the problem are subsequently made, the officers can file charges in municipal court and in some instances can use City funds to abate the problem.

10. If the city abates a problem on my property, who is responsible for payment?: Usually when the City is forced to abate a nuisance or problem on private property, the bill will be sent to the property owner. If payment has not been received or a payment plan has not been authorized, the City may file a lien on the property.

11. Is the city allowed to enter my property and abate a problem without my permission?: Yes, under certain circumstances the City may enter your property to abate a problem or hazard. If the problem or hazard poses an immediate fire or safety issue, you could be sent a bill for the abatement performed with no other notice. If you have been notified of a problem, hazard or other violation and you choose not to abate it yourself, you will be noticed that the City may enter your property and abate the problem once a specified date has elapsed.

12. What is the fine for failing to abate a nuisance or hazard, or for violating a City Code?: The amount of fine depends upon the violation. The minimum fine a judge can assess is $1 per violation. The maximum can be up to $500 for most violations but can go up to $2,000 for a health and safety violation.

13. May the Code Compliance Officers file the same complaint on me more than once?: In most instances, each new day that the violation exists following the initial complaint is considered a new violation. Therefore, it is possible that you can be filed upon every day that a violation is not abated.

14. May the Code Compliance Officers enter my property without my permission?: Whether the Code Compliance Officers are allowed to enter your property depends upon the purpose of the visit and the location of the violation. The area that is located from the street curb to ten feet into a yard is City right-of-way and open to all. In some instances, City Codes give Code Compliance Officers the authority to enter your property to examine for certain violations, and to obtain a search warrant if necessary.

15. Do the Code Compliance Officers have the authority to enforce City Codes outside of the city limits?: Code Compliance Officers have authority to enforce City Codes outside of the City, limited to enforcement of Codes concerning building regulations and signage.