To amend Section 14-3, Weeds, refuse, unsanitary conditions and stagnant water, of Article I, In General, of Chapter 14, Offenses – Miscellaneous, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Plano, to comply with changes in state law associated with municipal regulations related to agricultural operations and to revise administrative fees assessed for abatement; and providing a repealer clause, a severability clause, a penalty clause, a savings clause, a publication clause, and an effective date. Adopted Ordinance No. 2025-6-3

In June 2022, Article I, Chapter 14, Sec. 14-3 Weeds, Rubbish or Unsanitary Matter was amended to provide better clarity of terms and to reduce the required mowing buffer between agricultural crops and public right of ways and adjacent properties.

Since that time, the State of Texas has made modification to state law that will directly impact our current ordinance. To meet current state requirements, the proposed ordinance amendment modifies the mowing perimeter for properties used by an agricultural operation to ten (10) feet from the property line of an adjacent public right of way that contains a sidewalk, street, or highway or ten (10) feet of adjacent property owned by a person other than the owner of the agricultural operation and has a structure that is inhabited.

The City of Plano has not increased the current $200.00 administrative fee assessment since February 2010. To adequately recover incurred costs, an increase in the administrative fee is needed. A recent analysis of costs incurred by the City to recoup related expenditures shows an increase of $49.68. Based on a survey of cities within the metropolitan area, increasing the administrative fee to $250.00 would place the fee comparable to administrative fees charged by other nearby municipalities.

Approval of this item will amend Code of Ordinance 14-3 weeds, refuse, unsanitary conditions and stagnant water. The revisions will generate a base revenue increase of approximately $110,000. 

Approval of this agenda item supports the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor of Excellent, Innovative, and Accountable City Government.