Gun Barrel City adopts tougher junk-vehicle ordinance, enforcement begins June 1
April 17, 2024 | Gun Barrel City, Henderson County, Texas
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Gun Barrel City’s council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 02024-011 on revisions to Chapter 95 (junk vehicles), a change city officials said will make enforcement faster and less burdensome for police.
City Manager Dr. Smith, sponsor of the item, said the prior process required the police department to confiscate and process vehicles through a lengthy Texas statutory procedure that often tied the department’s hands. "The new ordinance will allow our code enforcement officer, Mike Ward, to determine if there is a nuisance, give a written warning with 30 days to remediate or request a hearing in our city court," Dr. Smith said. She described a subsequent 72-hour tow warning and use of contracted local towing firms if owners fail to act.
The ordinance establishes a multi-step process: written warning with 30 days to fix the issue or request a hearing; if unresolved, the code officer may issue a tow notice; if still unresolved after an additional period, the vehicle may be towed by the next available contracted company and handled per their procedures (including disposal or sale if unclaimed). Dr. Smith said the city has contracts with three local towing providers and will rotate calls to them.
Council members asked for clarification about what qualifies as a "junk vehicle," and Dr. Smith responded that the ordinance retains a detailed list of qualifications—registration lapses, immobility, being stored on blocks and other criteria remain part of the definition. She added staff will run a public-information campaign to alert residents before enforcement starts.
The council approved the measure following a motion and second; the mayor announced the motion passed. Staff said the ordinance will be enforced beginning June 1, 2024, after outreach to residents.
The measure gives code enforcement officers new administrative tools short of immediate police seizure, staff said, and aims to clear long-standing issues with inoperable vehicles in residential yards.
City Manager Dr. Smith, sponsor of the item, said the prior process required the police department to confiscate and process vehicles through a lengthy Texas statutory procedure that often tied the department’s hands. "The new ordinance will allow our code enforcement officer, Mike Ward, to determine if there is a nuisance, give a written warning with 30 days to remediate or request a hearing in our city court," Dr. Smith said. She described a subsequent 72-hour tow warning and use of contracted local towing firms if owners fail to act.
The ordinance establishes a multi-step process: written warning with 30 days to fix the issue or request a hearing; if unresolved, the code officer may issue a tow notice; if still unresolved after an additional period, the vehicle may be towed by the next available contracted company and handled per their procedures (including disposal or sale if unclaimed). Dr. Smith said the city has contracts with three local towing providers and will rotate calls to them.
Council members asked for clarification about what qualifies as a "junk vehicle," and Dr. Smith responded that the ordinance retains a detailed list of qualifications—registration lapses, immobility, being stored on blocks and other criteria remain part of the definition. She added staff will run a public-information campaign to alert residents before enforcement starts.
The council approved the measure following a motion and second; the mayor announced the motion passed. Staff said the ordinance will be enforced beginning June 1, 2024, after outreach to residents.
The measure gives code enforcement officers new administrative tools short of immediate police seizure, staff said, and aims to clear long-standing issues with inoperable vehicles in residential yards.
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