Code Enforcement

In an effort to keep Galena Park clean, healthy and attractive to all its residents and visitors, the police department, along with city hall is responsible for the enforcement of the city’s ordinances relating to high weeds and grass, debris, junk vehicles, dangerous structures, signage violations, and other code violations. The City’s Code of Ordinances details these enforcement issues. The most common violations include overgrown lots, excessive trash, junk vehicles, open storage and illegal signs. There are other violations that code enforcement addresses so if you have any questions about your particular concern, please contact us by phone or email.

Code Enforcement Citations

Citations (tickets) are issued when an individual fails to comply with a city ordinance. Code violations are Class C misdemeanors that can result in fines only. Most ordinances carry a fine of $100 to $2,000.

Code Enforcement’s objective is to obtain voluntary compliance through community education and a certain time frame for bringing subject properties into compliance. Citations are easily avoided through responsible action.

Code Enforcement Complaints

If you have a concern about the conditions existing on a piece of property, contact Code Enforcement at 713-675-3471 or simply fill out and submit an online concern form. You may submit your name on the form, or submit it anonymously; however, if you submit an anonymous complaint, and then later call to find out status of your complaint, it may not be available. All full-time officers at the department are considered "Code Enforcement Officers," and will be able to address the problem. An officer will investigate the complaint and begin our casework on it when necessary.

The normal timeline for a property to be inspected is within 2 days from the time a complaint is received. If warranted, a written citation is then given to the property owners or tenants. For all violations, the violator is given ten days to correct the violation, then notify the court clerk at 713-672-2556, and inform the court that the violation has been corrected. The officer that issued the citation will verify that it has been corrected, notify the court, and recommend dismissal of the citation. Since a violation of city ordinance did occur, the department can only inform the court that the situation was corrected, and recommend dismissal. We cannot guarantee the charge(s) will be dismissed. After the time has elapsed, if the violation has not been corrected, the City can mow high grass and weeds and send the owner an invoice. Junk vehicles still not removed will be towed by the city at the owner’s expense.

Thank you for helping to keep Galena Park beautiful!