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• Introduction
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• Introduction
• Cultural
  • Arkansas Municipal Auditorium
  • Four States Fair and Rodeo
  • Texarkana Auto Museum
  • Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanity Council
  • Texarkana Museum System
  • Texarkana Symphony
  • Main Street Blues and Barbeque Festival
  • Texarkana Library
  • Main Street Texarkana

• Introduction
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• Applications
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• Upcoming Meetings
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ENVIRONMENTAL CODES

In the interest of a better environment for the citizens of the City of Texarkana, Arkansas, the city has enacted ordinances to abate certain nuisances within the City.

1. Overgrown yards and vacant lots: (All grass needs to be mowed and kept lower than 12 " in height.) This includes grasses in easements and alleys. OVERGROWTH: Chapter 11 - Sec. 11-113
2. Abandoned appliances must be removed or stored indoors (out of the public view) JUNK: Chapter 22 - Sec 22-81
3. All properties are to be kept free of trash and debris, (includes but not limited to) loose paper, scrap wood and may even include dilapidated structures. TRASH/LITTER: Chapter 22 - Sec 22-80
4. All "unsightly" furniture is not to be left outdoors (may include furniture on porches, carports or open garages). JUNK: Chapter 22 - Sec 22-81
5. In the interest of public safety, all dead trees are to be removed as well as dead limbs within the living trees; furthermore, all limbs on the ground are to be removed. OVERGROWTH: Chapter 11 - Sec 11-113 and Chapter 22 - Sec 22-80
6. All blind corners may be requested to have vegetation cut back and possibly removed, if vegetation is impeding in the 25' sight triangle of oncoming traffic or causing a hazardous condition for motorist. VISIBILITY: Chapter 28 - Sec 28-72
7. The City of Texarkana, Arkansas has an on-going program to deal with unsanitary or unsafe structures, and enforces a minimum acceptable standard for housing. As buildings which do not, or may not, meet the minimum standards as set out in the Codes, come to the attention of the Inspectors, the building is tagged. At this point, several courses of action are open to the property owner and to the city, but the eventual outcome is the abating of the substandard condition. International Property Maintenance Code, Sections 106.1 through 108.5, 110.1 through 110.3, Chapter 2 Section 301.1 through 301.3
8. An abandoned/inoperable/unlicensed vehicle is defined as one that is in a state of disrepair and incapable of being moved under its own power. ABANDONED VEHICLE: Chapter 15 - Sec 15-70

If the vehicle is repaired, the owner shall contact the inspector so they may do an inspection to verify the vehicle is in compliance.

THE ENFORCEMENT PROCESS

1. The property will be inspected by a Code Enforcement official.
2. Every effort will be made by the Environmental Codes Department to contact the owner of record and send them a letter stating the conditions of the property.
3. After receipt of the letter and a short waiting period is granted (seven days)(60 days for sub-standard buildings), the property is then re-inspected. If the owner/occupant have abated the condition, the property is cleared of the violation. If not, the property may be photographed and assigned to the city or contractor to have the violations corrected and the property brought into compliance with the ordinance requirements. Failure to comply could result in court action.
4. If the City of Texarkana, Arkansas Public Works Department corrects/or contracts the violations, the property owner will receive a bill for the work done to the property. There will be an hourly fee from the city or contractor, and all associated costs incurred. Failure of the owner to pay the fees will result in a lien being placed against the property in the amount of the above mentioned fee.

ABANDONED/INOPERABLE/DISMANTLED VEHICLES

The enforcement procedures are basically the same with the exception of the waiting period. There is a 30-day waiting period in which the owner has to either repair, remove or enclose (garage type enclosure and out of sight) the vehicle before it will be photographed and legal action taken.

ENVIRONMENTAL CODES DEPARTMENT - CONTACT LIST

Office personnel maintain office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

Office Address and Phone
216 Walnut Street
Phone - (870) 779-4971
Fax - (870) 773-2395

Inspectors
Inspectors office hours are 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. daily.
Available other hours by appointment