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Fort Worth Overview
Fort Worth, TX Code of Ordinances
FORT WORTH, TEXAS CODE OF ORDINANCES
OFFICIALS of the CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
PART I: THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH
PART II: CITY CODE
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 2: ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER 2.5: RETIREMENT
CHAPTER 3: AIRPORTS AND AIRCRAFT
CHAPTER 4: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
CHAPTER 5: AMBULANCES/EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
CHAPTER 6: ANIMALS AND FOWL
CHAPTER 7: BUILDINGS
CHAPTER 8: CABLE COMMUNICATION SERVICE
CHAPTER 9: COMMUNITY FACILITIES AGREEMENTS
CHAPTER 10: COURTS
CHAPTER 11: ELECTRICITY
CHAPTER 11.5: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 12: EMERGENCY REPORTING EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 12.5: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND COMPLIANCE
CHAPTER 13: FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
CHAPTER 14: RESERVED
CHAPTER 15: GAS
CHAPTER 16: HEALTH AND SANITATION
CHAPTER 17: HUMAN RELATIONS
CHAPTER 18: LAKE WORTH
CHAPTER 19: LIBRARIES
CHAPTER 20: LICENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 21: RESERVED
CHAPTER 22: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
CHAPTER 23: OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 24: PARK AND RECREATION
CHAPTER 25: RESERVED
CHAPTER 26: PLUMBING
CHAPTER 27: POLICE
CHAPTER 28: PUBLIC UTILITIES
CHAPTER 29: SIGNS
CHAPTER 29.5: SMOKING
CHAPTER 30: STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
CHAPTER 31: SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE
CHAPTER 32: TAXATION
CHAPTER 33: TREES, SHRUBS, ETC.
CHAPTER 34: VEHICLES FOR HIRE
CHAPTER 35: WATER AND SEWERS
CHAPTER 36: RESERVED
APPENDIX A: ZONING REGULATIONS
APPENDIX B: CODE COMPLIANCE
APPENDIX C: RESERVED
CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE
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§ 35-132 PERMITS FOR ON-SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS OTHER THAN SANITARY SEWERS; DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO ANOTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.
   (a)   No on-site sewage disposal system, as defined in Tex. Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, shall be constructed, covered or used until a permit shall have been issued by the director of the city department of public health or other governmental entity authorized to do so by the city council. The director or the authorized entity shall inspect all on-site sewage disposal systems for compliance with all local and state regulations. No on-site sewage disposal system shall be covered or used until it has been inspected and approved by the director of the city department of public health or such other governmental entity authorized by the city council. All inspection and permitting authority prescribed herein shall include the enforcement of all local and state regulations governing on-site sewage disposal systems.
   (b)   The city, upon approval and authorization by the city council, may enter into an agreement with another local governmental entity authorizing said other governmental entity to perform all or a portion of the inspection and permitting functions described in this section in place of the director of the city department of public health. If the city council does authorize another governmental entity to assume the said functions, such entity shall retain those functions exclusively until the city council expressly terminates such authority and responsibility. Provided, however, that the city shall retain exclusive responsibility for inspection and permitting of on-site sewage disposal systems in the Lake Worth watershed area.
(1964 Code, § 19-408) (Ord. 11146, § 1, passed 8-11-1992)
§ 35-133 WITHHOLDING PERMIT UPON DETERMINATION OF ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECT.
   A permit for an on-site sewage disposal system may be withheld if the director or authorized entity determines that operation or location of the particular on-site sewage disposal system would adversely affect the public health.
(1964 Code, § 19-409) (Ord. 11146, § 1, passed 8-11-1992)
§ 35-134 CLEANING BY LICENSED PERSONS ONLY.
   No person shall clean or empty, and no person shall have cleaned or emptied any chemical toilet, on-site sewage disposal system, or other excreta disposal system, unless such person doing the cleaning or emptying is licensed to perform such service in the city.
(1964 Code, § 19-410) (Ord. 11146, § 1, passed 8-11-1992)
§ 35-135 REQUIRED CONNECTIONS WITH SEWERS.
   (a)   All owners of real property situated within the city upon which improvements are situated, where the outside line of any part of the property abuts upon an alley or street or through which a public sewer extends or is within a distance or radius of 100 feet of a public sanitary sewer, shall provide a water closet with water service on such premises and connect same with the public sewer, which connection shall be and made by and at the expense of the owner of the improvements.
   (b)   Where a sanitary sewer is not available, but where water under pressure is available, such water closet shall be connected to an on-site sewage disposal system installed in accordance with all local and state regulations, including requirements found in this article.
   (c)   The requirements of this section shall apply to every lot or part of lot upon which a dwelling house or business house now exists or upon which same may be hereafter erected; a separate water closet, with its proper connections, being mandatory for each dwelling or business house.
(1964 Code, § 19-411) (Ord. 11146, § 1, passed 8-11-1992)
§§ 35-136—35-150 RESERVED.
ARTICLE VI: LAWN AND LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION CONSERVATION
Editor’s note:
   Ord. 17901, § 1, adopted December 4, 2007, amended Art. VI, in its entirety, to read as herein set out. Prior to inclusion of said ordinance, Art. VI pertained to similar subject matter. See also the Code Comparative Table.
§ 35-151 LAWN AND LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION RESTRICTIONS.
   (a)   (1)   Lawns and landscaping may be watered on any day, at any time, by handheld hose, drip irrigation, a soaker hose or tree bubbler. (The intent of this measure is to allow for the protection of structural foundations, trees and other high value landscape materials).
      (2)   Except for hand watering, drip irrigation and the use of soaker hoses, a person may only irrigate, water or cause or permit the irrigation or watering of any lawn or landscape, inclusive of structural foundations, trees and other high value landscape materials, located on premises owned, leased, or managed by that person:
         a.   On a day designated as an outdoor water use day for the property’s address as shown below; and
         b.   Between the hours of 12 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on such day.
            1.   Residential addresses ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8) may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
            2.   Residential addresses ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) may water on Thursdays and Sundays.
            3.   All nonresidential locations (apartment complexes, businesses, industries, parks, street and/or roadway medians and the like) may water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
   (b)   Except for hand watering, drip irrigation and the use of soaker hoses, a person commits an offense if that person irrigates, waters or causes or permits the irrigation or watering of any lawn or landscape located on premises owned, leased or managed by that person between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
   (c)   Except for hand watering, drip irrigation and the use of soaker hoses, a person commits an offense if that person irrigates, waters or causes or permits the irrigation or watering of any lawn or landscape located on premises owned, leased, or managed by that person on a day that is not designated as an outdoor water use for that property address as shown in subsection (a) above.
   (d)   A person commits an offense if a person knowingly or recklessly irrigates, waters, or causes or permits the irrigation or watering of a lawn or landscape located on premises owned, leased or managed by the person in a manner that causes:
      (1)   A substantial amount of water to fall upon impervious areas instead of a lawn or landscape, such that a constant stream of water overflows from the lawn or landscape onto a street or other drainage area; or
      (2)   An irrigation system or other lawn or landscape watering device to operate during any form of precipitation.
   (e)   A person commits an offense if, on premises owned, leased or managed by that person, a person operates a lawn or landscape irrigation system or device that:
      (1)   Has any broken or missing sprinkler head; or
      (2)   Has not been properly maintained in a manner that prevents the waste of water.
   (f)   Affirmative defenses.
      (1)   It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution of an offense in subsection (a) above that at the time such person irrigates, waters or causes or permits the irrigation or watering of any lawn or landscape, such activity was for the purpose of:
         a.   Dust control of a sports field; or
         b.   The maintenance, repair or testing of an irrigation system.
      (2)   The activity described in subsection (f)(1)a. and (f)(1)b. above may only occur within a period of two days no more than once every 30 days. Any such activity requiring a longer period or greater frequency shall require a variance as provided by subsection (g) below.
   (g)   Variances.
      (1)   The water department director or official designee may grant variances to the twice per week watering and irrigation restrictions and schedule, if one or more of the following conditions are met:
         a.   Failure to grant such a variance would cause an emergency condition adversely affecting health, sanitation or fire safety for the public or the person requesting the variance;
         b.   Compliance with the watering and irrigation restrictions and/or schedule cannot be accomplished due to technical or other limitations; or
         c.   Alternative methods that achieve the same level of reduction in water use can be implemented.
      (2)   The water department director or official designee may grant variances to allow for establishment of hydromulch, grass sod or grass seed for new lawns.
      (3)   Variances shall be granted or denied at the discretion of the water department director or official designee. All petitions for variances shall be in writing and shall include the following:
         a.   Name and address of the petitioner(s);
         b   Purpose of the water use;
         c.   Specific provisions from which relief is requested;
         d.   Detailed statement of the adverse effect of the provision from which relief is requested;
         e.   Description of the relief requested;
         f.   Period of time for which the variance is sought;
         g.   Alternative measures that will be taken to reduce water use; and
         h.   Other pertinent information requested.
   (h)   A person who irrigates, waters or causes or permits the irrigation or watering by use of an alternative water source such as a well, reclaimed or reused water, or water from the Trinity River is exempt from prosecution if that person has:
      (1)   Registered such alternative water source with the city;
      (2)   Provided sufficient proof to the water department director that the alternative water source is from a well, reclaimed or reused water or from the Trinity River and has allowed inspection by the water department director if deemed necessary; and
      (3)   Complied with the city’s backflow and cross-connection control program and city code §§ 12.5-525 through 12.5-599.
(Ord. 17901, § 1, passed 12-4-2007; Ord. 21194-04-2014, § 2, passed 4-8-2014, eff. 4-16-2014)
§ 35-152 RAIN SENSING DEVICES AND FREEZE GAUGES.
   (a)   Any commercial or industrial customer class irrigation system installed within the city on or after June 1, 2006 must be equipped with properly working rain and freeze sensors.
   (b)   Any commercial or industrial customer class irrigation system installed before June 1, 2006 may not be operated after June 1, 2007 without being equipped with properly working rain and freeze sensors.
   (c)   The potable water supply to lawn irrigation system shall be protected against backflow in accordance with the city’s backflow and cross-connection control program, city code §§ 12.5-525 through 12.5-599. All rain and freeze sensors for commercial customer class lawn irrigation systems shall under go annual inspection and testing concurrent with schedules associated with the requirements of § 12.5-532.
   (d)   Any residential customer class irrigation system installed within the city on or after June 1, 2007 must be equipped with properly working rain and freeze sensors.
   (e)   It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly or recklessly install, operate or cause or permit the installation of or the operation of, an irrigation system in violation of subsections (a) through (d) above on premises owned, leased or managed by that person.
(Ord. 17901, § 1, passed 12-4-2007)
§ 35-154 ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
   The governmental use of water for essential services such as police, fire and emergency services which are necessary to preserve or protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Fort Worth are exempt from any and all restrictions or mandates set forth in this article.
(Ord. 17901, § 1, passed 12-4-2007)
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