Municipal Code of Ordinances
The City of De Kalb Municipal Code is the compiled, fully codified body of local laws adopted by the City Council. These ordinances govern property maintenance, zoning regulations, and public health and safety, operating in accordance with the Texas Local Government Code and the Texas Health and Safety Code.
View Master Code
Access the complete, searchable database of the De Kalb Municipal Code. This repository is updated annually following the adoption of new civic legislation.
Report a Violation
Notice a property violating city code? You can submit an anonymous report to the Code Enforcement Officer by calling City Hall or submitting an online concern.
Understanding Code Enforcement: The Abatement Process
The goal of De Kalb Code Enforcement is compliance, not punishment. If your property is found in violation of a city ordinance, the city must follow a strict legal process before issuing fines:
- Step 1: The Warning (Courtesy Notice). An officer will typically leave a notice on your door or mail a letter detailing the specific ordinance violation and instructions on how to fix it.
- Step 2: The Abatement Period. By state law, citizens are granted a grace period to abate (correct) the violation. This is typically 7 to 10 days for property maintenance, but can be immediate for life-safety or noise violations.
- Step 3: Citation & City Action. If the violation is not corrected within the abatement period, the city may issue a municipal court citation (resulting in daily fines). For severe health/safety hazards like high weeds or trash, the city may legally enter the property, clear the hazard, and place a financial lien on the property deed to recover the costs.
Common Ordinance & Penalty Estimator
Curious about specific property laws? Select a common issue category below to view the legal parameters, mandatory abatement times, and potential fines under standard municipal law.