minimalist
Junior Member
I reside in a small rural town in north texas. I received a notice of code violation from the city yesterday stating that "PUBLIC HEALTH NUISANCE ALLOWING RUBBISH, BRUSH, OR AN OTHER UNSIGHLY, OBJECTABLE, OR UNSANITARY MATTER TO GROW OR ACCUNULATE ON ANY LOT WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY". The lots in question are wooded and untouched. I confronted them and they are forcing all property owners to clear cut their lots under threat of a fine imposed if not completed within 10 days. I know 90 letters were sent out but they stated that 800-900 lots will be affected. The population is 1000 or so people that live in the city.
The issue I have is that the letter came from the city police department. I'm not sure that it is legal for them to handle code enforcement. I spoke with a police office who is also a code enforcement officer yesterday and am concerned that my protections would not exist within that particular role of the police officer responsible for criminal investigation also taking on the role as code officer responsible for the civil side. Would this not be a conflict of interest?
I also don't think they have the right to force me to destroy the state of my property for the reasons they stated. There is no evidence that my property has harmed anyone or has received any complaints.
The issue I have is that the letter came from the city police department. I'm not sure that it is legal for them to handle code enforcement. I spoke with a police office who is also a code enforcement officer yesterday and am concerned that my protections would not exist within that particular role of the police officer responsible for criminal investigation also taking on the role as code officer responsible for the civil side. Would this not be a conflict of interest?
I also don't think they have the right to force me to destroy the state of my property for the reasons they stated. There is no evidence that my property has harmed anyone or has received any complaints.