Show All Answers

1. What is a definition of high grass and weeds?

Commercially zoned property - It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership, an association of persons, owner, agent, occupant, or anyone having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land, or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved, within the corporate limits of the city, to suffer or permit grass, weeds, or any plant that is not cultivated to grow in, along, upon or across the sidewalk in the area between the property line and the curb line, or within the area ten feet beyond the property line to a height greater than 12 inches on an average. Residentially zoned property - It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership, an association of person, owner, agent, occupant, or anyone having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land, or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied, located within any residentially zoned district within the corporate limits of the city, which has been developed, and all properties contiguous to and/or within 100 feet of such developed properties within the corporate limits of the city, to suffer or permit grass, weeds, or any plant that is not cultivated to grow in, along, upon or across the sidewalk in the area between the property line and the curb line, or within the area ten feet beyond the property line to a height greater than six inches on an average. Code Enforcement 817.410.3159 or 817.410.3124. Chapter 12, Health and Sanitation

Section 12-111, Weeds, trash, brush and other unsi

2. What is the definition of a junk vehicle?

Sec. 12-124. Procedure for abating and removing nuisance. (a) Private property: A junked vehicle as defined herein, or a part thereof, found on private property shall be and hereby is declared a public nuisance. Notice of not less than ten days, mailed by certified mail or registered mail with a five-day return requested, shall be given to the last known registered owner of the junked motor vehicle, any lien holder of record and the owner or occupant of the private premises whereupon such public nuisance exists, stating the nature of the public nuisance on private property and that such public nuisance must be removed and abated within ten days, and further that a request for a hearing upon such removal and statement must be made before the expiration of said ten-day period. If the post office address of the last known registered owner of the motor vehicle is unknown, notice may be placed on the motor vehicle, or, if the last known registered owner is physically located, the notice may be hand-delivered. If the notice is returned undelivered by the United States Post Office, official action by the city to abate said nuisance shall be continued to a date not less than ten days from the date of such return. (b) Public property and public right-of-way: A junked vehicle as defined herein, or a part thereof, found on public property or on a public right-of-way shall be and hereby is deemed a public nuisance. Notice of not less than ten days, mailed by certified or registered mail with a five-day return requested, shall be given to the last known registered owner of the junked motor vehicle, any lien holder of record and the owner or occupant of the premises adjacent to the public property or the public right-of-way whereupon such public nuisance exists. Such notice shall state the nature of the public nuisance on the public property or public right-of-way and that it must be removed and abated within ten days, and further that a request for a hearing upon such removal and abatement must be made before the expiration of said ten days period. If the notice is returned undelivered by the United States Post Office, official action to abate said nuisance shall be continued to a date not less than ten days from the date of such return. Code Enforcement 817.410.3155. Chapter 12, Health and Sanitation

Section 12-124, Procedure for abating and removing

3. Where can I park my boat / rv / trailer?

Boats, recreational vehicles and trailers are regulated by our residential zoning ordinances and are allowed to be parked in a driveway only with an approved permit from the Building Inspection Department when side and back yards parking is not feasible. Building Inspections 817.410.3165 817.410.3166.

Boat/RV/Trailer Permit Application

4. Can I have urban chickens?

Yes, however you must adhere to the guidelines in the Code of Ordinance.

Chapter 6 Animals and Fowl 

Sec. 6-1 Definitions - Fowl: A bird of the order Galliformes, which can be used as food. This term includes but is not limited to the common domesticated chicken, duck, geese, turkey, quail, dove, and pheasant.

Sec. 6-2. - Livestock and fowl.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor any fowl within the city in any pen, shed, coop or enclosure, if any part of such enclosure or structure is within 50 feet of any residence, business or commercial establishment or office (other than the owner's), school, hospital or nursing home.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any owner of any animal to maintain yards, pens, kennels, stables, sheds, coops or other enclosures in which such animals are confined in such a manner as to emit odors offensive to any person's ordinary sensibilities residing in the vicinity, or to breed or attract flies, mosquitoes or other noxious insects or rodents, or in any manner to endanger the public health, safety or welfare, or to create a public nuisance.

5. Can I sell items by the roadside?

No, a temporary use permit for outside sales and display can only be issued to a business owner with a currently approved certificate of occupancy. Contact Planning Services at 817.410.3155.  

6. What is a Short-Term Rental or an "STR"?

A short-term rental, or STR, is the rental or offer for rental of any dwelling or any portion of a dwelling for a period of less than 30 days.

7. Are STRs allowed in Grapevine?

No, per the Grapevine ordinance STRs are expressly forbidden in the City of Grapevine and have never been a permitted use under the Zoning Ordinance.

8. If I get a permit, then can I rent my premises as an STR?

No. STR are expressly forbidden in the City of Grapevine. Thus, there is no permit process available for an STR.

9. Can I rent my business or warehouse as an STR?

No. STRs of any kind are expressly forbidden in the City of Grapevine.

10. My STR is also my primary residence, does the STR prohibition apply to me?

Yes, the STR prohibition applies to all properties within Grapevine. Therefore, even if the property is your primary residence, you cannot rent it out as an STR.

11. Is there anything I can do to get the City to allow me to rent my property out as an STR?

No, STRs are expressly forbidden within the City of Grapevine.

12. If I can't use my premises as an STR, can I lease it for more than 30 days?

Yes, but it must be leased for more than thirty (30) consecutive days. If this requirement is not met, you may face legal repercussions from the City of Grapevine.

13. If STRs are prohibited in Grapevine, why do some still exist?

On September 4, 2018, the Grapevine City Council passed an ordinance that reaffirmed the prohibition of short-term rentals (STRs) of less than 30 days in Grapevine. While this ordinance is being challenged in court, some STRs that existed prior to the 2018 ordinance are operating under a temporary restraining order issued by the Court.

14. Can I rent my personal pool or areas within my property such as the backyard, basketball court, tennis court, home gym or detached accessory building?

No. This type of activity falls under the definition of an STR which are expressly forbidden in the City of Grapevine.

15. How can I report a suspected STR in Grapevine?

If you have questions regarding an STR or what you believe may be an STR in your neighborhood, please contact Code Enforcement at 817.410.3155 or planning@grapevinetexas.gov. If you believe there are illegal activities taking place, please contact the Grapevine Police Department at 817.410.8127.

16. What are the guidelines for placement of political signs?

For all political sign questions, please refer to the link provided Political Sign FAQ, or you can find it on the City Secretary's page.