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1. What About Weeds and Brush?

It shall be unlawful for any person owning or occupying property in the City to allow weeds or brush to grow on the property to a height exceeding 12 inches, or regardless of height, to remain on the property in an unsightly manner. It shall be a defense to a violation of this section if the plant matter in question constitutes:
Regularly cultivated ornamental, fruit-bearing, vegetable-bearing, or flowering plants, bushes, or trees;
Regularly cultivated crops grown on property that is classified as agriculture exempt according to the tax rolls of the county;
Pasture lands on property that is classified as agriculture exempt according to the tax rolls of the country;
Heavily wooded property or property with steep slopes, on which mowing equipment cannot reasonably be used; or
Property which the city health official determines should be exempted because of the lack of harm to the public health, safety, and welfare.
Reference Code: Sec. 58-105. Nuisances prohibited

2. Are their regulations on a garage sale?

Yes, this is a sale of used house hold or personal articles not exceeding for (4) days in length which is (i) Open to the public; (ii) held on a residential premises owned by one of the sellers and (iii) conducted more than ninety days after a similar sale at the same premise.

3. What About Garage Sales?

Garage Sales

A Garage Sale is by definition: a sale of used household or personal articles not exceeding four (4) days in length which is:

Open to the public

Held on a residential premises owned by one of the sellers; and

Conducted more than ninety days after a similar sale at the same premise.

Garage Sale Signs can be no larger than six (6) square feet in residential zones. You may display only one sign per street frontage, and only on the property of the sale. Signs may never be displayed on utility poles or Stop Signs, or on any other property. Illegal signs will be confiscated, and you could receive a citation.

Reference Code: City Ordinance 97-07 ART. 11-1-3 (44).
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4. What About Trash, Rubbish, Debris, Stagnant Water and Unwholesome Matter?

Trash, Rubbish and Debris, Stagnant Water and Unwholesome Matter

It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit or throw into the streets, alleys or public highways of the city any dead animals, meat or flesh of any kind, bones, vegetables, suds, washing of slops from laundries, barrooms, kitchens, or elsewhere, bottles, pieces of glass or tin, wire, ashes, offals, droppings of animals of filth of any kind, or in any manner to obstruct the drainage of the gutters of streets.

Reference Code: 90-35 (Bks. 1,2,3, pg. 203, § XI; Code 1968, art. 6-1-7)

OTHER NUISANCES It shall be unlawful for any person owning or occupying property in the city:

To allow holes or other places on the property to exist where water may accumulate and become stagnant;

To allow stagnant water to accumulate and remain on the property;

To all filth, carrion, putrescible waste, or any impure or unwholesome matter to accumulate and remain on the property; or

to allow rubbish, debris, trash, earth and construction materials, or unsanitary matter to accumulate and remain on the property.

Cross references: Injunctions granted to prohibit nuisance activity, § 46-1.

5. What About Junked Vehicles?

Junked Vehicles

Definitions: The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Antique vehicle means a passenger car or truck that is at least 35 years old.

Inoperable means the inability to start the engine of a motor vehicle and drive the vehicle under its own power a distance of more than 300 feet.

Junked vehicle means a vehicle that is subject to registration pursuant to V. T. C. A., Transportation Code, ch. 501, which is self-propelled and:

Does not have lawfully attached to it:
An unexpired license plate; or
A valid motor vehicle inspection certificate; and
Is:
Wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, or discarded; or
Inoperable and has remained inoperable for more than:
i. Seventy-two consecutive hours if the vehicle is on public property; or

ii. Thirty consecutive days if the vehicle is on private property.

Motor vehicle collector means a person who:

Owns one or more antique or special interest vehicles; and

Acquires, collects, or disposes of an antique or special interest vehicle or part of an antique or special interest vehicle for personal use to restore and preserve an antique or special interest vehicle for historic interest.

Special interest vehicle means a motor vehicle of any age that has not been changed from original manufacturer's specifications and because of its historic interest, is being preserved by a hobbyist.

Reference Codes: Definition Sec. 102-461; Cross references: Injunctions granted to prohibit nuisance activity, § 46-1; health and sanitation, ch. 58

Ord. No. 2001-24, § 1(art. 9-VI-1). 11-27-2001) -- Cross references: Definitions generally § 1-2.

(8)INAPPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE

Procedures adopted under this article may not apply to a vehicle or vehicle part:

That is completely enclosed in a building in a lawful manner and is not visible from the street or other public or private property; or
That is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed vehicle dealer or junkyard, or that is an antique or special interest vehicle stored by a motor vehicle collector on the collector’s property, if the vehicle or part and the outdoor storage area, if any, are:
Maintained in an orderly manner;
Not a health hazard; and
Screened from ordinary public view by appropriate means, including a fence, rapidly growing trees, or shrubbery.
(9) SCREENING REQUIREMENTS

The screening requirements required by subsection (8) b. 1 of this section shall not be deemed appropriate unless they meet the following standards:

If a fence is used as a screening device, it must comply with the specifications for type “A” screening set forth in Article 11-1-18(d.) of the city’s former Code of Ordinances, except that fence materials may include chain link with screening slats interwoven through the chain link mesh to create and opaque fence; or
If a vegetative screen is used as a screening device, it must be not less than six feet high with evergreen, year-round foliage approved by the director of planning and planted such as to create a solid screen between the location of the outdoor storage are and adjacent private property or public right-of-way; or
A combination of subsection (1) and (2) of this section.
(10) AUTHORITY TO ENTER PROPERTY

A person authorized to administer the procedures set forth in this article may enter private property to examine a public nuisance, to obtain information to identify the nuisance, and to remove or direct the removal of the nuisance.

(11) RELOCATION OF JUNKED VEHICLE.

After a proceeding for the abatement and removal of a junked vehicle has commenced, the relocation of a junked vehicle to another location within the city has not effect on the proceeding if the junked vehicle constitutes a junked vehicle at the new location.

Reference Codes: (Ord. No. 2001-24, § 1(art. 9-VI-2), 11-27-2001)

6. What About Unlawful Discharge?

Unlawful Discharge

ANYTHING OTHER THAN CLEAN CLEAR WATER DISCHARGED ONTO THE GROUND OR STORM DRAIN IS ILLEGAL!!

Unauthorized discharge

a. A person commits an offense if the person discharges or allows the discharge of any waster or pollutant into any water, in the city or within 5,000 feet of the city limits, that causes or threatens to cause water pollution unless the waste or pollutant is discharged in strict compliance with all required permits or with a valid and currently effective order issued or rule adopted by the appropriate regulatory agency.

b. Such prohibited conduct and the result thereof is a nuisance.

Reference code: Sec. 46-72. (Ord. No. 82-24, art. II, 7-27-1982; Code 1968, art. 9-IX-2)

Cross references: Waterworks and sanitary sewer system, § 110-31 et seq.; waste discharges, § 110-131 et seq.
State law references: Similar provisions, V.T.C.A., Water Code § 7.147.

7. What About Signs?

Due to the length of the sign Code, it is not included in this web page. Please click on the link below:

http://www.kerrville.org/

Next: under the heading Development Services click on Planning and Geographic Information,

Next: Click on Sign Ordinances in the Left Hand Column

Any further questions can be answered by the Director of Development Services/City Planner, Paul Menzies at 830-792-8351.

8. What About Parking Certain Types of Vehicles and Controlled Parking Areas?

Parking in Alleys

a. No person shall park a vehicle within an alley in the business district except for leading or unloading merchandise. No such vehicle shall be parked for a period of more than 30 minutes.

b. No person shall park a vehicle within an alley in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than ten feet of the width of the roadway for the free movement of vehicular traffic, and no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within an alley in such position as to block the driveway entrance to any abutting property.

Reference Codes: Sec.102-328. Parking in Alleys

Code 1968, art. 5-XII-3.

Parking prohibited of Certain Vehicles and Machinery in Specified Areas

a. Parking of large vehicles on streets prohibited. No person may park on any city street any truck, van, bus, recreational vehicle, trailer, or other vehicle, or any combination of such vehicles and/or trailers, which exceeds the following dimensions.

Twenty-two feet in length measured from the front bumper to the rear bumper, exclusive of grill guards;

If the item is a trailer, 22 feet in length measured from front hitch to the rear bumper;

Seven feet in width measured from the outside of the tire to the outside of tire of the front axle; or

A passenger vehicle with a rated seating capacity of more than 15 people, inclusive of the driver.

b. Parking of construction vehicles prohibited. No person may park or store on any city street or on any lot which is not zoned in accordance with chapter 106 of this Code to permit the property to be used for heavy manufacturing and industrial purposes any vehicle or machine used in building construction, highway and street construction, water, sewer, or pipeline construction, earth moving, drainage, bridge, tunnel construction, or similar construction vehicles or equipment.

c. Defenses. A person shall have the following defenses to a violation of this section:

1. It shall be a defense to subsection (a) of this section that:

a. The person parked the vehicle or trailer for the purpose of loading and unloading passengers or cargo; or

b. The vehicle:

1. Has been parked as the result of a mechanical failure of the vehicle occurring at that location; and

2. Has been parked at the location for less than 48 hours.

2. It shall be defense to subsection (b) of this section that:

a. The vehicle is a vehicle otherwise permitted to be parked on a city street pursuant to subsection (a) of this section; or

b. The vehicle, equipment, or machinery is:

1. located on property for the purpose of being repaired; and

2. The property on which the vehicle is located is being used as a vehicle repair establishment in accordance with chapter 106 of this Code; or

c. The vehicle, equipment, or machinery is being used in connection with an ongoing construction project on a street or tract of land:

1. Where the vehicle, equipment, or machinery is located; or

2. Adjacent to where the vehicle, equipment, or machinery is located.

Reference Codes: (Code 1968, art. 5-XII-4; Ord. No 97-05, § 1(art. 5-XII-4), 5-27-1997

Parking for Certain Purposes Prohibited

No person shall park a vehicle upon any street or highway for the principal purpose of:

1. Displaying such vehicle for sale.

2. Washing, greasing or repairing such vehicle except repairs necessitated by an emergency.

Reference Codes: Sec. 102-330. (Code 1968, art. 5-XII-5)

9. What About Trees and Bushes Obstructing a Street of Alley?

Trees and Bushes Obstructing a Street or Alley

a. Generally. All streets and alleys or other public passages within the limits of the city shall be under the control of the city council, and public passages which may have been stopped or obstructed by any person are hereby declared open.

b. Encroachment of buildings, walls, fences prohibited. Whenever houses, fences, walls, etc., are found to encroach upon or obstruct streets, alleys or public passage, the city council may order the removal of such obstruction and, in the event the obstruction is not removed by the agent or owner within the time required by such notice, then it shall be the duty of the city council to proceed at once to remove the obstruction.
c. Placing obstruction in streets, alleys, sidewalks prohibited. No person shall place, or cause to be placed, anything in any street, square, alley or public passage in this city that may in any manner obstruct the free passage of such street, alley or public passage, except building materials for immediate use, when the such material does not occupy more than one-third of such street, alley or public passage, and is so placed as not to obstruct the proper drainage of the street, alley or public passage. Obstruction of sidewalks at any time so as to prevent free passage along such sidewalks shall be unlawful.

d. Trees, shrubs and other growth. The following regulations shall apply to trees, shrubs and other natural growth:

1. Trees, shrubs and other natural growth/unobstructed view of traffic control devices. It shall be the duty of every owner of real property which abuts a public right-of-way to trim all tress, shrubbery, and other natural growth on the owner's property, including any overhang or protrusion into the abutting right-of-way, so as to maintain a clear, unobstructed view of a traffic control device for a minimum distance of 200 feet on approach to such traffic control device.

2. Trees shrubs, and other natural growth/vertical clearance over roadways and rights-of-way. It shall be the duty of every owner of real property which abuts a public right-of-way to trim all trees, shrubbery and other natural growth on the owner's property, including any overhang or protrusion in the abutting right-of-way, so as to maintain a full 14 foot clearance between the surfac3 of such street, highway or alley, and the overhanging tress, shrubs and other natural growth.

3. Trees, shrubs, and other natural growth/vertical clearance over sidewalks or sidewalk areas. It shall be the duty of every owner of real property which abuts a public right-of-way to trim all trees, shrubbery and other natural growth on the owner's property that overhangs or protrudes over a sidewalk or sidewalk area so as to maintain full ten-foot clearance between the surface of such sidewalk or sidewalk area and the overhanging tree, shrub and other natural growth.

4. Removal of trees, shrubs and other growth. If trees, shrubbery or other natural growth obstructs the view of a traffic control device from the distance specified in subsection (d)(1) of this section, or grow within the prescribed vertical clearances over roadways or sidewalks or sidewalk areas, as set forth in subsection (d)(2) and (d)(3) of this section, the city may notify the owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the growth and require that the growth be trimmed within ten days after the date such notice is deposited with the postal authority. Any owner of real property who fails and/or refuses to trim any trees, shrubbery and other natural growth to the extent sufficient to conform to this article within ten days after the date of such notification shall be in violation of this section and subject to the penalties set forth in section 1-7. Further, in the event of such failure and/or refusal, the city may do or cause to be done such trimming of trees, shrubbery and other natural growth. Notwithstanding anything contained in this section to the contrary, the city shall have the authority, at any time any such trees, shrubs or other natural growth is determined by the city engineer to be a safety hazard, to trim any such growth which obstructs free passage of vehicles or pedestrians or obstruct or interferes with the visibility of lawful erected traffic control devices.

Reference Codes: (Bks. 1-3, pg. 201, §§ I-III; Ord. No. 87-54, 11-10-1987; Ord. No. 94-19, §§ 1,2, 11-8-1994; Code 1968, art. 6-1-3)

10. What about Home Occupations?

Home Occupations

(49) Home Occupation: An occupation, business, or activity occurring in a dwelling unit, or an accessory building or garage associated with a dwelling unit, which:

(i) is managed and owned by a person residing in the dwelling unit;

(ii) has no more than one employee who is:

a. not a member of the immediate family of the owner/manager. or

b. a member of the immediate family of the owner who does not live in the same dwelling unit.

(iii) has no commercial display visible from the exterior of the dwelling unit:

(iv) has no commercial show window visible from the exterior of the dwelling unit:

(v) requires no outdoor storage of materials, supplies, or equipment used in the business; does not have vehicles or trailers parked on the premises in a place visible from adjoining property or public right-of-way which identify by signs the occupation, business or activity are;

(vii) except for an unlighted name plate or business sign with a face not more than two square feet attached flush to the building, uses no exterior sign to identify the occupation or business or to indicate the means of access to the business, including, but not limited to any directional sign;

(viii) does not generate pedestrian traffic, vehicular traffic or vehicular parking substantially greater or substantially different in kind or character than that ordinarily associated with a similar dwelling used solely for residential purposes;

(ix) requires the use of no more than three off-street parking spaces constructed on the premises;

(x) is no more dangerous to life, personal safety, or property than any other activity ordinarily carried on with respect to a dwelling unit used solely for residential purposes;

(xi) does not result in the production of noise, odors, or fumes that constitute a public or private nuisance to neighboring properties;

(xii) subject to conformance with paragraphs (i) through (xi), above, may include: day care for no more than five clients;

a. instructional classes that are associated with art, dance, music, handicrafts, hobbies, health or fitness, and similar subjects;

b. grooming of dogs and carts of not more than four at any one time, provided that none are boarded as a kennel.

c. massage therapy, chiropractic care, or facial, hair, and nail salons, provided that no more than two clients may be served at one time;

d. repair of small personal items such as watches or jewelry;

e. photographic studios;

f. seamstress or tailoring services;

g. small custom manufacturing services; or

h. multi-level marketing or similar sales businesses based within the home;

(xiii) does not involve the repair of vehicles, large equipment, or large appliance, unless:

a. not more than one vehicle or appliance is located on the property for purposes of repair; and

b. all work is carried on out of sight from the public by screening or conducting all work indoors; and

c. no vehicle left for repairs may be parked on a public street;

(xiv) does not involve retail sales except as part of a home-based multi-level marketing business or as incidental to another permissible home occupation.

11. What About Noise?

NOISE

All noise complaints are handled by the Kerrville Police Department. If a citizen feels someone is causing an unreasonable noise at an unreasonable time, they should report this to the Kerrville Police Department.