10 - Request for Creation of a Safe Zone at hotel and apartment housingItem No. 10
memorandum
TO: City Council
Gene Anderson, Interim City Manager
FROM: Bob Hundley, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: SAFE ZONE ORDINANCE
DATE: September 3, 2019
BACKGROUND: A petition was received from a local business owner regarding the creation of
a safe zone at local hotel and apartment housing in the City of Paris. Along with the petition was
an attached city ordinance from the city of Grand Prairie entitled Housing Enforcement. This
ordinance provides for education of hotel and apartment owners, sets inspection standards and
provides for enforcement including criminal charges for owner / operators.
STATUS OF ISSUE: Upon review of the ordinance, it appears to have far reaching inspection
standards and calls on the owners for compliance and/or criminal enforcement if standards are not
met. Similar ordinances, some with greater reach, have been met with legal challenges, some
successful, in other parts of the country, and should council provide direction to pursue such an
ordinance, great care will need to be taken to craft an ordinance that will not be as susceptible to
such legal challenges.
BUDGET: No cost to the budget has been considered until direction is provided.
RECOMMENDATION: Review the attached ordinance and provide direction to the staff.
To Paris City Council,
Please take our signatures as a unifi d%ollart—oGran
rt to rre�rm of int T oar business area by encouraging you
to adopt a crime free zone to housinj d Prairie, ordinance). We want and expect our
staff, customers, families and other visitors to feel safe while in our establishments and keep our
businesses striving. We believe this will help with costs of harm and Injury of our police officers and
create possible growth,
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Chapter 28 - HOUSING ENFORCEMENT
Footnotes:
--- (1) ---
Editor's note— Section 3 of Ord. No. 9111-2010, adopted Oct. 19, 2010 states, "That the City Council of
the City of Grand Prairie makes its effective date January 1, 2011 with all associated penalties for lower
Tier ratings (Tier 11 aridlor III properties) enforced beginning on January 1, 2012."
ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL
Sec. 28-1. - Definitions.
For the purpose of this article, certain abbreviations, terms, phrases, words, and their derivatives
shall be construed as specified in this section. Terms, words and phrases, and their derivatives used but
not specifically defined in this article, shall have the meaning ascribed in any currently adopted building
code.
Annual fee: An annual fee is hereby authorized to be charged to the ownership of all apartment
communities to provide for inspections to insure compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
Apartment: A dwelling unit as defined in this article.
Apartment complex: Any building, or portion thereof, which is designed, built, rented, leased, let or
hired out to be occupied, or which is occupied, as the home or residence of five (5) or more families living
independently of each other in dwelling units as defined in this article.
Appropriate city official or appropriate city officer. Refers to the city officer and employees that are
authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter and other city ordinances and the laws applicable
within the city. These officials are set out for example in section 28-2, but are not limited to those officials.
Any employee or agent of the city authorized to enforce the provisions and to inspect or examine
buildings or property within the city will qualify as an appropriate city official.
Approved. As to materials and types of construction, refers to approval by the code compliance
manager, or his authorized representative, as the result of investigation and tests conducted by the code
compliance manager, or his authorized representative, or by reason of accepted principles or tests by
national authorities, technical or scientific organizations.
Building: Any building or structure, or portion thereof, which is used, or designed or intended to be
used, for human habitation, for living, sleeping, cooking, working or eating purposes or any combination
thereof. For purposes of this chapter, the term shall include a manufactured home, mobile home, prefab
building, manufactured building, industrial building, site built building and any structure which is used or
designed to be used for human habitation.
Building code: A set of rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed
objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures, and for various components of those structures.
The main purpose of the building codes is to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they
relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures. The building code becomes law of a
particular jurisdiction when formally enacted by the appropriate authority. Grand Prairie has adopted
several sets of building codes, and when the word is used in this chapter and in this Code of Ordinances,
the term is construed to mean the applicable building code, any notation as to the year of publishing and
any revisions, amendments or replacements. It also includes any applicable local amendments or
modifications as they are adopted by the city council. The term includes, but is not limited to: The
International Building Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, Uniform
Housing Code, International Fire Code, National Electric Code, Uniform Swimming Pool Code,
International Residential Code and International Energy Conservation Code.
Commissioned security officers: Are officers who have successfully passed a state and national
criminal history check and the thirty -hour training class provided by the Private Security Bureau of the
Texas Department of Public Safety.
Court: An open, unoccupied space, bounded on two (2) or more sides by the walls of the building. An
inner court is a court entirely within the exterior walls of a building. All other courts are outer courts.
Crime -free multi -housing: The CFMH program provides partnership between police, local property
owners/managers, housing department and residents to foster a safe, healthy, crime -free community in
rental housing. The program uses a unique three-phase approach that ensures resident -friendly
techniques that will be applied to achieve crime prevention goals. Management training, security
assessment and resident safety/crime watch make up the components. The crime -free program does not
imply there is no crime in a designated area, but rather this is to warn that there can be serious
consequences for any one affiliated with illegal/criminal activity.
Drug related: Includes, but is not limited to, the manufacture, cultivation, importation into the state,
transportation, possession, possession for sale, sale, furnishing, administering, giving away, providing a
place to use, or fortification of a place involving any illegal or controlled drug, narcotic or drug
paraphernalia.
Dwelling: Any building or any portion thereof, which is not an apartment house, a lodging house or a
hotel, as defined in this article, which contains one (1) or two (2) dwelling units or guest rooms, used,
intended or designed to be built, used, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied, or which are
occupied for living purposes.
Dwelling unit: A suite of two (2) or more habitable rooms which are occupied or which are intended
or designed to be occupied by one (1) family with facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and eating.
Existing (apartment) building: A building erected or one for which a legal building permit has been
issued prior to the adoption of this article originally.
Exit. A continuous and unobstructed means of egress to a public way, and shall include intervening
doorways, corridors, ramps, stairways, smoke -proof enclosures, horizontal exits, exterior courts and
yards.
Family. An individual or two (2) or more persons related by blood or marriage, or a group of not more
than five (5) persons (excluding servants), who need not be related by blood or marriage, living together
in a dwelling unit.
Grade (ground level): The average of the finished ground level at the center of all walls of a building.
In case walls are parallel to and within five (5) feet of a sidewalk, the above ground level shall be
measured from the sidewalk.
Habitability: All apartment units, hotel and motel rooms and all buildings made available for
residence must be fit for humans to live, and will meet all other building or health requirements to allow for
sleeping, living, cooking or eating purposes, and will include appropriate connections for all necessary
sanitary and mechanical facilities.
Habitable room: Any room meeting the requirements of this article for sleeping, living, cooking or
eating purposes excluding such enclosed places as closets, pantries, bath or toilet rooms, service rooms,
connecting corridors, laundries, unfinished attics, foyers, storage spaces, cellars, utility rooms and similar
spaces.
Interior lot. A lot other than a corner lot.
Kitchen: A room used or designed to be used for the preparation of food.
Let or let for occupancy: To permit, provide or offer possession or occupancy of a dwelling unit,
rooming unit, building, premises or structure by a person who is or is not the legal owner of record
thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten lease, agreement or license, or pursuant to recorded or
unrecorded agreement of contract for the sale of land.
Manager: Shall mean any person who manages the business operations of any hotel or bed and
breakfast inn, including the collection of rental charges, issuing of keys, direction of maintenance
personnel, assigning of rooms to guests, or handles guest affairs and oversees security.
Nontransient lodging: Lodging where tenancy is arranged for periods of greater than 30 consecutive
days.
Nuisance: Shall be defined as follows:
(1) Any public nuisance known at common law or equity.
(2) Any attractive nuisance which may prove detrimental to children whether in a building, on the
premises of a building, or upon an unoccupied lot. This includes any abandoned wells, shafts,
basements, septic tanks, or excavations; abandoned refrigerators or motor vehicles; or any
structurally unsound fences or structures; or any lumber, trash, fences, debris, or vegetation
which may prove a hazard for inquisitive minors.
(3) Whatever is dangerous to human life or is detrimental to health, safety and welfare.
(4) Overcrowding a room with occupants.
(5) Insufficient ventilation or illumination.
(6) Inadequate or unsanitary sewerage or plumbing facilities.
(7) Uncleanliness.
(8) Whatever renders air, food or drink unwholesome or detrimental to the health, safety and
welfare of human beings.
(9) An abandoned structure, basin chamber, pool or tank located indoors or outdoors containing
an artificial body of water intended to be used for swimming, diving or recreational bathing,
including spas or hot tubs, which becomes unfit to be used for the purpose intended.
Occupied space: The total area of all buildings or structures on any lot or parcel of ground projected
on a horizontal plane excluding permitted projections as allowed by this article.
Operator: Any person who is the proprietor of any hotel or apartment complex, whether in the
capacity of the owner, lessee, receiver, sub -lessee, franchisee, mortgagee in possession, manager or
agent of any of the aforementioned, who offers and accepts payment for rooms, guestrooms, sleeping
accommodations, or board and lodging, and retains the right of access to, and control of, the dwelling
unit.
Owner: Any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the
property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county or municipality as holding title to the
property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any such
person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of
real property by a court.
Person: An individual, corporation, partnership or any other group acting as a unit.
Prostitution related: Includes, but is not limited to, city and/or state codes violations that involve
prostitution or prostitution related crimes; such as pimping or pandering.
Story. That portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper
surface of the floor next above, except that the topmost story shall be that portion of a building included
between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling of roof above. If the finished floor level
directly above a basement or cellar is more than six (6) feet above grade, such basement or cellar shall
be considered a story.
Structure (accessory)/service room: Any room used for storage, bath or utility purposes, and not
included in the definition of habitable room.
Substandard building: See section 28-18.
Superficial floor area: That net floor area within the enclosing walls of the room in which the ceiling
height is not less than five (5) feet, excluding built-in equipment such as wardrobes, cabinets, kitchen
units or fixtures.
Tier 1: As defined in this chapter.
Tier 2: As defined in this chapter.
Tier 3: As defined in this chapter.
Used: Used or designed or intended to be used.
Vent shaft: A court used only to ventilate or light a water closet, bath, toilet or utility room or other
service.
Window: Glazed opening, including glazed doors, which open upon a yard, court or recess from a
court, or a vent shaft open and unobstructed to the sky.
Yard: An open, unoccupied area other than a court, unobstructed from the ground to the sky, except
where specifically provided by this article, on the lot on which a building is situated.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12; Ord. No. 9684-2014, §
1(exh. A), 3-18-14)
Sec. 28-2. - Departments—Authority to enforce.
(a) Official designated. The housing and neighborhood services director, environmental services
director, fire chief or fire marshal and all duly authorized employees of their departments shall have
the authority to enforce provisions of this chapter and other city ordinances relating to enforcement
procedures set forth in the Code of Ordinances for the city concerning apartment houses, complexes
and hotels. This shall not be construed so as to prevent employees of another city department,
division or other authorized personnel of the city from enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Right of entry. Upon presentation of proper credentials, the proper city official or his authorized
representatives may enter any building, structure or premises in the city to perform any duty imposed
upon such officers by this article. This includes the ability of the city staff to ask a competent person
with knowledge of building construction and/or conditions to accompany them, and includes the
ability for the city staff to take pictures or obtain samples for testing.
(c) Crime -free multi -housing program. The Grand Prairie Police Department Crime -Free Multi -Housing
Program, (GPPD CFMH), is a program that was implemented to help in reducing crime in the
multifamily housing communities in Grand Prairie. GPPD CFMH is comprised of three (3) phases. All
three (3) phases of the program must be completed for a multifamily community to become certified
in the program.
(1) Phase 1 of the program is an eight-hour class given at the Grand Prairie Police Department.
The class is intended for apartment managers, owners, leasing agents, and lead maintenance
personnel from each community. In Phase 1, the training will cover how to implement the
program in each community, including how to complete the public information request form
(PIR), the addendum to rental application, and the adverse reporting addendum and notification
form. In addition, the method of using the PIR to obtain background information, including
warrants and criminal history, will be explained. If an individual has warrants or has a criminal
history that meet certain criteria, that individual should be denied the opportunity to sign a lease
with that community.
Phase 1 will also include instruction on crime prevention within the communities, as well as
crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED).
(2) Phase 2 will be the inspections of the communities, which will include approximately ten (10)
percent of the apartment units, the grounds, common areas, such as laundry rooms, workout
facilities, parking lots, swimming pools, etc. The following items are what will be inspected
during the Phase 2 inspections. There will be a daytime inspection, as well as a nighttime
inspection.
a. Phase 2: C.P.T.E.D. Compliance Survey.
1. Building address signs must be clearly visible and readable from the parking lot day or
night.
2. Apartment numbers must be easily seen and have a contrasting background.
3. Entry doors must be solid core or metal doors. This includes rear entrance/patio doors
(where applicable).
4. Entry doors must have a single cylinder and privacy deadbolts with a minimum one -
inch throw. This includes rear entrance/patio doors.
5. Screws in the deadbolt strike plates must be a minimum of three (3) inches in length.
Steel screws are required.
6. Entry doors must have a one hundred eighty to one hundred ninety (180-190)
degree eye -viewer.
7. Sliding glass doors must have both an anti -lift and anti -slide device.
8. Entry door frame is in good condition, not split from previous damage and screwed
together. This includes entrance/patio doors.
9. All outside accessible windows must have secondary locks.
10. Tree canopies should be trimmed to a height of seven (7) feet or higher.
11. Shrubs and bushes should be trimmed to a height of three (3) feet or lower,.
12. Parking lots have adequate lighting.
13. Breezeways/stairs are illuminated.
14. Sidewalks/walking paths have adequate lighting.
15. Common areas (playground, picnic, etc.) are illuminated.
16. Landscaping and lighting do not conflict (should not block lighting).
17. Proper applicant screening procedures are followed.
18. CFMH certificates are visible when applicable.
19. CFMH lease addendum is presented.
20. Staff has completed CFMH training.
21. Laundry rooms are well lighted.
22. Carport structures next to buildings must have the building number posted on the
structure adjacent to fire lane.
23. Graffiti is not visible.
(3) Phase 3 will be a safety/crime prevention social at the community. This is a social to invite the
tenants to a community event and discuss the GPPD CFMH Program and how it can be a very
helpful tool in reducing crime in the community and the benefits to the tenants.
Note: There is no format for the social and the social can be tailored to fit each community.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12; Ord. No. 9815-2015, §
1,2-3-15)
Sec. 28-3. - Same—Duties.
The chief building official, housing and neighborhood services director, and environment services
director shall be in charge of the appropriate compliance. Each department or division shall be
responsible for enforcement of this chapter and of the city's environmental, housing and zoning codes
and ordinances. The appropriate director or manager shall designate employees to enforce City Code
provisions. Enforcement personnel shall be responsible for performing recurring inspections of properties
in order to cause the abatement of environmental, health, zoning and housing nuisances.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-4. -Jurisdiction and authority of municipal court in code, housing and environment enforcement.
(a) The Municipal Court of Record of the City of Grand Prairie is hereby given civil jurisdiction to
enforce the municipal ordinances in this chapter and other city ordinances that were authorized
under V.T.C.A., Local Government Code ch. 214, subchapter. A (and any viable preceding
legislation or future amendments to such subchapter, which deals with dangerous structures).
(b) The municipal court of record is hereby given concurrent jurisdiction with a district court or a county
court at law within the city limits and for property owned by the city located in the city's extraterritorial
jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing health and safety and nuisance abatement ordinances,
including the ordinances in this chapter of the Code of Ordinances or ordinances found elsewhere.
(c) The municipal court of record is hereby given authority to issue search warrants for the purpose of
investigating a health and safety or nuisance abatement ordinance violation and authority to issue
seizure warrants for the purpose of securing, removing, or demolishing the offending property and
removing the debris from the premises.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-5. - Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum requirements for the protection of life, limb,
health, property, safety and welfare of the general public and the owners and occupants of hotels and
multifamily properties.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-6. - Applicability of chapter.
(a) General. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all buildings or portions thereof, used, or
designed or intended to be used as a hotel or multifamily properties. Such occupancies in existing
buildings may be continued as provided in the applicable currently adopted building code, except
such structures as are found to be substandard, as defined in this chapter. Where any building or
portion thereof is used or intended to be used as a hotel or multifamily properties, the provisions of
this chapter shall apply to the separate portions as if they were separate buildings.
(b) Alteration. Existing hotels and multifamily properties which are altered or enlarged shall be made to
conform to this chapter insofar as the new work is concerned.
(c) Relocation. Existing hotels and multifamily properties which are moved or relocated shall be
considered as new buildings and shall comply with all the requirements of this chapter and the
ordinances of the city,
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-7. - Chapter cumulative.
In any case when a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with any other section of this
Code of Ordinances, any applicable building code, any regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or any other
ordinance or regulation of the city, the provision which established the higher standard for the promotion
of the health, safety and general welfare of the people shall govern.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
ARTICLE II. - HOTEL STANDARDS
Sec. 28-8. -Applicable chapter 29 standards.
The requirements of chapter 29 relating to space and occupancy standards, structural requirements,
mechanical requirements, exits, fire protection, abatement of prohibited condition, and substandard
buildings are adopted for this chapter.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10)
Sec. 28-9. - Housekeeping and premises conditions.
(a) The hotel premises and guestrooms will fully comply will all building, fire, and housing codes. An
owner or operator of a hotel shall keep the premises sanitary and shall provide every practical facility
essential for that purpose.
(b) It is the official policy of the city council to encourage on-site security forces at all hotels.
(c) An owner, manager, or agent of a hotel may not rent or furnish a unit to a person succeeding a
previous occupant before thoroughly cleaning the unit and providing clean and sanitary sheets,
towels and pillowcases.
(d) Mattress condition/cleanliness. Mattresses shall be free of stains, holes, rips or odors in excess of
normal wear and tear, and maintained in a sanitary, nondefective condition (e.g., without broken
springs, indentations, sags, etc.).
(e) Linen condition/cleanliness. Linens shall be free of stains, holes, rips or odors in excess of normal
wear and tear and shall be cleaned at change of occupancy or at least once a week when
occupancy does not change. Linens shall be cleaned in hot water of at least one hundred ten (110)
Fahrenheit (forty-three (43) Celsius).
(f) Bathroom conditions/cleanliness. Bathroom fixtures (e.g., toilet, bathtub, sink, shower and mirror)
shall be maintained without significant cracks, chips or stains. Floors shall be washed with hot water
and a sanitizer at change of occupancy or at least once a week when occupancy does not change.
Daily cleaning schedules shall be maintained in the managers office.
(g) Floor condition/cleanliness. Noncarpeted floor surfaces shall be made of nonabsorbent material. All
surfaces and tile grouting shall be maintained without cracks, rips or missing elements. Carpeting
shall be free of stains, holes, rips or odors in excess of normal wear and tear, and maintained in a
sanitary, nondefective condition.
(h) Wall condition/cleanliness. Wall surfaces shall be maintained without spots, stains, flakes, chips,
holes (in excess of two (2) x two (2)), etc. and be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
(i) Mold/mildew. All surfaces, including carpeting and flooring, and fixtures shall be free from mold and
mildew conditions.
(j) Electrical equipment. For the purpose of this chapter, electrical equipment shall include furniture
items installed by the property owner, operator or property manager, including televisions, lamps,
etc. All electrical equipment must be properly maintained and be in operable condition.
(k) Furniture condition. All furniture items shall be maintained in proper working condition, without
defects, chips, holes, etc.
(1) Window coverings. Shades, draperies or blinds shall be appropriately hung to cover all windows and
appropriate light fixtures. All shades, draperies, blinds, shall be free of stains, holes, rips or odors in
excess of normal wear and tear, and be maintained in a sanitary, nondefective condition.
(m) Storage rooms. No more than ten (10) per cent of designed guestrooms may be used for storage
room purposes.
(n) Windows. All windows designed to be opened shall have an operable window security or locking
device. All windows are to have at least one (1) window latch. For purposes of this subsection,
"window latch" shall mean a lock on a window capable of being opened, with the lock operated
without a key and capable of being operated only from the interior.
(o) Doors. All exterior doors, other than sliding glass doors, screen doors, or garage doors, but
including doors between the living area and the garage, are to be equipped with a keyless bolting
device in addition to any lock on the outside door. For purposes of this subsection, a "keyless bolting
device" shall mean a lock not in the doorknob that locks only by a bolt or level only from the interior
and not the exterior. It shall not include a door chain latch. All exterior sliding glass doors are to have
pin locks. All rooms are required to be outfitted with exterior electronic/magnetic locks for guests to
gain access to their rooms or by locks that meet with the approval of the housing and neighborhood
services director.
(p) Viewports. Each door shall have a viewport or window convenient to the door.
(q) Exterior lighting. The required illumination shall be placed so as to comply with the glare
requirements for neighboring property. All hotels shall have exterior lighting in all areas accessible to
the general public, including, but not limited to, common areas and parking lots. All such lighting is to
be controlled by photo cell or seasonably adjusted timer switch. The intensity of such lighting is to be
no less than twenty-five one -hundredths (0.25) foot candle power in all areas accessible to the
general public.
(r) Gas stove. An owner or operator of a hotel who provides a gas stove for the heating of a unit in the
facility shall determine that the stove is properly installed and maintained in a properly ventilated
room.
(s) Appliances. An owner, operator, or manager of a hotel shall maintain sanitary appliances located in
the facility in good repair.
(t) Public health nuisance. A hotel that does not conform to this chapter is a public health nuisance.
(u) Dangerous structure. All buildings, guestrooms, and areas of the facility must be maintained so as
not to violate any of the provisions of this Code; specifically, they must be maintained so that they do
not constitute a dangerous structure, as defined in section 29-28 et seq.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10)
Sec. 28-10. - Limitation on continuous and cumulative occupancy and use.
(a) The sleeping accommodations of a hotel shall be only for the use of transient occupants and shall
not be used or occupied under any permanent basis, and no such occupant shall be deemed to be a
resident therein.
(b) Effective upon the passage of this provision, it shall be unlawful for a hotel to let or otherwise
provide a room therein to any person for more than thirty (30) days of continuous occupancy.
(1) A stay in excess of thirty (30) days may occur in the following situations:
a. Where there is a written contract or document between a hotel or motel and a business,
corporation, firm, individual or governmental agency to house employees or individuals on
valid work orders;
b. Where there is a written contract between the hotel or motel and a governmental,
charitable or insurance agency to house families in crisis who are receiving temporary
bousing assistance from said governmental, charitable or insurance agency; or
c. Where the housing services manager authorizes in writing, after consultation with the
housing and neighborhood services director, a stay for an additional period of up to ninety
(90) days to prevent residents from becoming homeless. In the event that the housing and
neighborhood services department is unable to identify appropriate alternative housing
within ninety (90) days, this ninety -day period may be extended in writing by the housing
manager.
d. The written contract, document, and authorization noted above shall be kept on file and
must be available for inspection.
(c) Based on the most recent three year average, when fifty (50) per cent of revenues or greater are
exempt from hotel/motel occupancy taxes due to a permanent resident exemption; then the
hotel/motel will be referred to as nontransient lodging and required to comply with the tier
requirements depicted in Chart 1 below, and will also be required to participate in the crime free
multi -family housing program as administered through the Grand Prairie Police Department.
Chart 1
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Inspection Fee @ Unit $37.80
$56.70
$75.60
Rc-Inspcction Fee @ Unit $75.00
$75.00
$75.00
Inspection Schedule Annual
Bi -Annual
Quarterly
(d) It shall be unlawful for the owner, operator, and/or property manager, to allow registration under a
different name in order to avoid the continuous and cumulative occupancy allowed in hotels as
defined in this chapter.
(e) Any property left in a room by a person or party that has checked out shall be removed by the
operator of the hotel before the room may be occupied by another party and shall be stored or
disposed of in accordance with applicable laws.
(f) No owner, operator, or property manager shall knowingly let, allow or permit any room on the
premises to be used for any illegal purpose, and the failure to set forth the true identity of and correct
hours of occupancy by any person shall be deemed to show knowledge on the part of the property
owner, operator, or property manager of such illegal purpose or use.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9684-2014, § 1(exh. A), 3-18-14)
Sec. 28-11. - Lodging permit to operate.
(a) Annual application. An application for an annual lodging permit to operate shall be filed with the
housing and neighborhood services director on a yearly basis by the operator of each hotel. The
deadline for submitting the application shall be March 1 of the current year, or if this date falls on a
Saturday or Sunday, on the next business day. The application shall be submitted with the defined
processing fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). The lodging permit shall be issued or denied within
sixty (60) days upon receipt of the completed application. Application for a lodging permit shall be
filed on forms provided by the city.
(b) Misrepresentation. Any material misrepresentation in the application for the lodging permit to
operate a hotel or a failure to provide the required information shall be grounds for denial.
(c) Authorization. The application for a lodging permit hereunder shall constitute the consent of the
applicant and owner to an inspection of the entire licensed premises at reasonable times by the
housing enforcement officers, code enforcement officers, building inspectors, sanitarian inspectors,
and fire inspectors of the City of Grand Prairie and other authorized agencies of the City of Grand
Prairie for the purpose of determining whether there is any violation by the premises sought to be
permitted of any ordinances of the City of Grand Prairie or any law of the State of Texas. The
number of rooms required to be made available for the annual inspection shall be based on their
age, the total number of units on the property, and their tier as determined by the chart below.
Age of Complex
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
1-9 years
10%
20%
50%
10-19 years
20%
50%
100%
20-25 years
30%
60%
100%
26 years +
40%
75%
100%
(d) Transfer/assignment. Licenses shall not be transferable or assignable from one person, firm,
partnership, corporation or entity to another person, firm partnership, corporation or entity.
(e) Change in operator. Whenever a change in the operator or owner occurs at an existing hotel, the
new operator or owner shall apply for a lodging permit to operate within ten (10) business days after
closing on the sale of the property. If the prior operators lodging permit to operate for the hotel was
denied or revoked, a provisional lodging permit to operate may be issued with special conditions
designated by the housing and neighborhood services director.
(f) License term. Licenses shall be for a period of one (1) year commencing on March 1st and
terminating on last day of February of said year and shall re -apply for additional periods of one (1)
year.
(g) Permit display. The operator shall display the lodging permit to operate in the hotel in an open and
conspicuous place on the premises.
(h) Fees. Per the chart below, a fee is hereby authorized to be charged to the ownership of all hotels to
provide for inspections to insure compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
Chart 2
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Inspection Fee @ Unit $8.10
$12.15
$16.20
Re -Inspection Fee @ Unit $25.00
$25.00
$25.00
Inspection Schedule Annual
Bi -Annual
Quarterly
Annual inspection fees paid more than sixty (60) days after the due date will incur a five (5) per cent
late fee. For new hotels, the initial fee shall be payable six (6) months after the issuance of a
certificate of occupancy and annually thereafter.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9684-2014, § 1(exh. A), 3-18-14)
Sec. 28-12. - Classifying hotels by tier and summary grade scoring.
(a) Calls for service (CFS) . Calls for service are used to calculate the calls for service ratio. Calls
include, but are not limited to serious emergency calls for service, (police, fire, and medical) that
result in a city employee being dispatched or directed to the hotel. This shall include any calls within
the surrounding neighborhood that, through information or investigation, can be attributed or traced
to the hotel premises, and any self -initiated activity and/or investigation based on the observation(s)
of an emergency services representative. Calls for service shall be measured per event or
occurrence at a hotel. Multiple calls for one (1) discrete event shall count as one (1) call for service.
Calls for service include, but are not limited to:
(1) Any and all high priority emergency service calls;
(2) Commission of crimes that are drug related or drug related arrests;
(3) Commission of crimes that are prostitution related or prostitution related arrests;
(4) Commission of calls that are a breach of the peace;
(5) All fire alarms at a hotel;
(6) Immediate public safety and health issues at a hotel.
(7) Property related crimes (As defined in V.T.C.A., Penal Code Title 7.)
(b) Call for service room ratio. The ratio is calculated by taking the number of calls for service divided
by the total number of guestrooms in a hotel over one (1) year. Hotels with an annual ratio of greater
than 0.70 calls per unit will be subject to reduced tier rating and possible license revocation.
(c) New hotel tier rating. A hotel which has not previously operated in Grand Prairie shall be presumed
to be a Tier 1 hotel for the first year of its operation.
(d) Summary grading score. The summary grading score (SGS) is utilized to assess the number and
types of serious outstanding violations, code convictions, and calls for service observed on a
property annually. Each property will receive a tier rating based on the SGS which has a maximum of
one hundred (100) points. Tier 1 scores indicate that a property has obtained a score between ninety
(90) and one hundred (100). Scores between seventy-five (75) and eighty-nine (89) are identified as
Tier 2 properties as described in this chapter. Scores of seventy-four (74) or below will be identified
as a Tier 3 property as described in this chapter. All properties will be subject to tier requirements
described in section 28-14 of this chapter.
(e) Tier rating calculation. The tier rating will be calculated using the calls for service room ratio
(CFSRR) during the previous calendar year and the current year summary grading score (SGS) for
each hotel located within the City of Grand Prairie, or during actual operations if less than twelve (12)
months.
Tier 1. Good/Excellent SGS is 90 -100
Tier 2. Average SGS is 75 - 89
Tier 3. Below Average SGS is 74 or below
(f) Tier notification. By March 1 st of each calendar year, each hotel owner will be billed based upon the
prior year's tier rating. The housing services director shall notify each hotel owner within the City of
Grand Prairie, in writing, of their tier classification for the current calendar year.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9684-2014, § 1(exh. A), 3-18-14; Ord. No. 10036-
2016, § 1, 5-3-16)
Sec. 28-13. - Tier 2 and 3 hotel requirements.
(a) Tier 2 and Tier 3 property requirements. Tier 2 and Tier 3 property owners, operators, property
managers, or any person who lets a unit shall require the head of a party to provide evidence of his
or her identity and residence and, in addition thereto, the full and true name and address of each
member of his or her party.
(1) Tier 2 hotels will be monitored on a semi-annual basis and subject to an annual inspection fee
as noted in subsection 28-11(h).
(2) Tier 3 hotels will be monitored on a quarterly basis and, therefore, subject to the inspection
annual fee as noted in subsection 28-11(h).
(b) Tier 3 property requirements.
(1) Tier 3 property owners are required to have twenty-four (24) hour on-site security provided by
commissioned security officers if the low tier rating is based on points lost due to high CFS.
(2) All commissioned security officers while working for a Tier 3 hotel must be in uniform and must
be registered and hold a class B security contractor license issued from the Private Security
Bureau of the Texas Department of Public Safety or TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement) Certified Peace Officer.
(c) Additional requirements.
(1) Properties with an initial SGS of seventy-four (74) or below will require quarterly inspections
based on the annual inspection. Additionally, the property will be subject to citation.
(2) Owners and/or managers of Tier 2 hotels with a CFS ratio above 0.70 must attend a crime
prevention program approved by the HNS director,
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9684-2014, § 1(exh. A), 3-18-14; Ord. No. 10036-
2016, § 1, 5-3-16)
Sec. 28-14. - Lodging permit—Grounds for denial.
The housing and neighborhood services director may deny a lodging permit (during the application
process of any new property owner) to Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 hotels for any of the following reasons:
(1) The hotel as proposed by the applicant does not comply with the minimum requirements of Tier
3 standards;
(2) The owner/operator and/or their property managers is or has been a registered sex offender;
(3) Three (3) years has not expired from either the date the applicant and/or their managers was
convicted or completed parole or probation for any offense which relates directly to the
operation of a hotel, whether as an owner, operator, or manager, or from any offense
constituting a class B (or higher) misdemeanor related to drugs and/or prostitution or felony
involving weapons, narcotics, assault, or crimes of moral turpitude;
(4) The applicant has, within three (3) years immediately preceding the date of filing the
application, had a lodging permit suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction;
(5) The applicant has knowingly made a material misstatement in the application for the lodging
permit; or
(6) Tier 3 hotels may also be denied a lodging permit to operate if their summary grading score
falls to a Tier 3 level based on CFS ratio and the hotel fails to meet the Tier 1 or Tier 2 CFS
ratio within twelve (12) months of being notified of their Tier 3 standing.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10)
Sec. 28-15. - Lodging permit—Revocation.
(a) The housing and neighborhood services director may have a hotels lodging permit revoked (at any
time for cause) if the owner or operator is convicted of drug related or prostitution related crimes.
(b) A Tier 3 hotel may have their lodging permit revoked by the housing and neighborhood services
director if the property is not improved to a minimum Tier 2 rating by the next annual inspection date.
(c) In processing a revocation the housing and neighborhood services director shall prepare an
investigation report that details the circumstances that have led to the revocation. It may include, but
not be restricted to, any or all of the following:
(1) Frequency or occurrence of violation(s), arrest(s), or call(s) for service;
(2) Seriousness of the violation(s), arrests(s), or call(s) for service;
(3) History of violation(s), arrest(s), or call(s) for service;
(4) Any activity, action or effort taken by the responsible party to obstruct or interfere with
correction of the problem;
(5) The impact of the violation(s), arrest(s), or call(s) for service on the surrounding property and
community;
(6) The financial impact to the city.
(d) Upon notice of revocation, the owner may appeal the revocation within twenty (20) days to the
municipal court. If the revocation is sustained or not appealed, it remains in effect for twelve (12)
months.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10)
Sec. 28-16. - Penalty and fines.
(a) Failure to comply. Any person, whether as owner, manager, tenant, or other person in charge of the
property, who shall violate a provision of this chapter, or fail to comply therewith, or with any of the
requirements thereof; who shall erect, construct, alter, demolish or move any structure, without an
appropriate permit; or has erected, constructed, altered, repaired, moved or demolished a building or
structure in violation of a detailed statement or drawing submitted and approved thereunder, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor. Each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each
day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is committed,
continued or permitted, and upon conviction of any such violation, such person shall be punished by
a fine as provided in section 1-8 of the Code of Ordinances. Citations and fines may be issued or
enforced in addition to any civil action or revocation of permit.
(b) Fines. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, or agent having primary responsibility
for discharge of a duty imposed by law under this section who violates any of the provisions of this
chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than
five hundred dollars ($500.00), unless such violation is a violation of an ordinance or regulation
affecting zoning, fire safety, or public health and sanitation, in which case the fine shall not be more
than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist
shall constitute a separate offense.
(c) Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, or agent having primary responsibility for
discharge of a duty imposed by law under section 28-10 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon
conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). Failure to pay
inspection fees related to section 28-10 could result in forced closure of the property after sixty (60)
days delinquency in the payment of fees.
(Ord. No. 9111-2010, § 1, 10-19-10; Ord. No. 9684-2014, § 1(exh. A), 3-18-14)
ARTICLE III. - MULTIFAMILY HOUSING STANDARDS
Sec. 28-17. - Applicable chapter 29 standards.
The requirements of chapter 29 relating to space and occupancy standards, structural requirements,
mechanical requirements, exits, fire protection, abatement of prohibited condition, and substandard
buildings are adopted for this chapter. Additionally article III of chapter 29 section 28, referring to
dangerous structures is adopted by reference.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-18. - Multifamily housing complexes generally.
(a) The owner or owners, their agents and employees, of any apartment complex within the city shall
comply with the following requirements set forth in this section.
(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) Apartment complex shall mean two (2) or more apartment buildings under common ownership
or management which are situated on one (1) lot or adjacent lots and operated or managed as
a single entity;
(2) Apartment building shall mean a structure containing (2) or more self-contained groups of
common rooms which are designed, constructed and used as dwelling units;
(3) Operated or managed as a single entity shall mean a group of two (2) or more apartment
buildings which has a single person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, agent or
employee thereof who is responsible for the management, control, maintenance or supervision
of the apartment buildings whether by written or oral agreement to conduct said management,
control, maintenance or supervision;
(4) However, under no set of circumstances shall the provisions of this section apply to multifamily
living units which have two (2) or less dwelling units.
(c) Nothing in this section is to be interpreted to apply the provisions of this section to condominium
units. For purposes of this section, "condominium unit" shall mean any building or collection of
buildings which have separate dwelling units owned by the person or persons living in the units
which share common areas.
(d) Security devices.
(1) All exterior doors other than sliding glass doors, screen doors or garage doors, but including
doors between the living area and the garage, are to be equipped with deadbolt locks and either
night latches, and, in accordance with V.A.T.S., Property Code § 92.151 et seq., or any
amendments thereto, a keyless bolting device and a door viewer.
a. A "deadbolt lock" shall mean a lock in a door, with the lock operated from the exterior by a
key and from the interior without a key by knob or lever.
b. A "night latch" shall mean a disc (door stopper) latch or door lock, with the lock operating
without a key and only from the interior by knob or lever.
c. A "keyless bolting device" is defined as a door lock not in the doorknob that locks with a
bolt into a strike plate screwed into the portion of the doorjamb surface that faces the edge
of the door when the door is closed or into a metal doorjamb that serves as the strike plate,
operable only by knob or lever from the door's interior and not in any manner from the
door's exterior, or as otherwise described in the property code, and shall not include a
chain latch, flip latch, surface -mounted slide bolt, mortise door bolt, -surface -mounted barrel
bolt, surface -mounted swing bar door guard, spring loaded night latch, foot bolt or other
lock or latch. The exceptions of the property code apply relative to the age of the tenants.
(2) Upon the permanent departure of a tenant by way of either expiration of the lease, or by way of
forcible entry and detainer action, apartment complexes shall change or alter the deadbolt lock
and doorknob lock in such a way as to ensure that the key or keys owned by the previous
resident shall not be capable of unlocking the deadbolt lock and doorknob lock. For purposes of
this subsection, "rekeying" shall mean altering the internal order of the tumblers in the deadbolt
lock in such a way as to render operation of the deadbolt lock or doorknob lock by the previous
key ineffective. This requirement may be met by either replacing the deadbolt lock and
doorknob lock or by rekeying the deadbolt lock and doorknob lock.
(e) All exterior sliding glass doors are to have pin locks in addition to the manufacturer lock. For
purposes of this subsection, "pin lock" shall mean a sliding glass door lock, with the lock operated
without a key and only from the interior.
(f) All windows are to have at least one (1) window latch. For purposes of this subsection, "window
latch" shall mean a lock on a window capable of being opened, with the lock operated without a key
and capable of being operated only from the interior.
(g) All apartment complexes shall have exterior lighting in all areas accessible to the general public,
including, but not limited to, common areas and parking lots. All such lighting is to be controlled by a
photo cell or seasonally adjusted timer switch. The intensity of said lighting is to be no less than 0.25
foot candle power in all areas accessible to the general public as measured between two (2) and four
(4) feet from the ground.
(h) Each apartment complex shall designate a person, who is a full-time paid employee who may be
contacted in the event of an emergency. The phone number for an emergency contact shall be
prominently displayed on the front entry door of the offices of that apartment complex.
(i) It is the official policy of the city to encourage participation in the crime -free multi -housing program
and on-site security measures at all apartment complexes within the city and to encourage controlled
entry systems for those apartment complexes where such systems would be feasible.
Q) The purpose of crime -free multi -housing is to protect the health, safety, morals and welfare of the
occupants of apartment complexes and other citizens of the City of Grand Prairie by obtaining
greater compliance with minimum property standards through the establishment of a crime -free
program thereby reducing the crime rate within the apartment complexes. The program utilizes three
(3) key phases to reduce crime in rental communities: Phase I (Advanced Management Techniques
Seminar) is designed for the owner and/or the key property employees such as managers, leasing
agents and maintenance supervisors. Phase II of the program requires the landlord to meet the
minimum security requirements of crime prevention through environmental design (C.P.T.E.D.).
Phase III of the program involves property management hosting a safety social event annually for the
residents of their community.
All multifamily housing communities approved on or after October 1, 2016 must participate in the
Grand Prairie Police Department's Crime -Free Multi -Housing Program in order to help deter and reduce
crime in their multifamily housing communities in Grand Prairie.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12; Ord. No. 10036-2016, § 2, 5-3-16)
Sec. 28-19. - Annual multifamily housing inspection procedures.
(a) Each year, the city staff notify the owner/manager of the property thirty (30) days prior to the initial
inspection and shall inspect the apartment units available for habitation, under such appropriate rules
and regulations as may be established by the city department responsible for such inspections. The
staff may inspect every unit available for rental each year, or may conduct such inspections based
upon the age of the units, the history of violations at the apartment complex, and whatever other
factors may be applicable. If the inspection of less than the total amount of units at the apartment
complex reveals numerous violations, the housing and neighborhood services director may direct the
inspection of other units up to one hundred (100) per cent and citations may be assessed as
applicable.
(b) If the owner or manager of an apartment unit does not intend to offer unit or units for habitation
purposes at the time. of inspection, such owner or manager may designate the units that will not be
occupied, with the effect that such units may not be occupied or made available for occupancy until
such time as the owner or manager has submitted such units for inspection by the appropriate city
staff that conducts such inspection, and until such time as the vacant unit has been approved for
habitation.
(c) There shall be an inspection and if necessary, re -inspection fee for each unit, which may be
amended by action of the city council. Such fee, whether or not a unit designated for occupancy is
actually inspected or if the officers inspect a representative sample of the units is required. If it is
necessary to re -inspect a unit to determine if corrections have been made, such re -inspection shall
be subject to a fee per unit and/or building.
(d) If units are designated as unoccupied by the owner or management, they need not be submitted for
the annual inspection until such time as such owner or manager shall prepare the unit for occupancy,
unless, in the opinion of the city staff responsible for conducting the inspections, there is reason to
believe that the vacant unit is in such a condition that it could affect other units within the same
building, or that the vacant unit has some structural or internal damage that is or is not visible from
the outside, but which affects other units to the effect that they may not be habitable. In addition, if
the number of units that are designated as uninhabitable constitute a majority of a building or area of
the complex, the vacant units may be designated for inspection at the discretion of the city staff
members responsible for such inspections.
(e) If an inspection is required of vacant or unoccupied units, either by the owner or manager or the
city, all appropriate inspection and reinspection fees will be due.
(f) If the owner or manager of an apartment complex or building, does not make the apartment
available for inspection, they are subject to citation. If a unit has been designated as unoccupied, it
shall not be rented or made available for occupancy until such unit has been submitted for inspection
and has been approved for occupancy by the city.
(g) At least ten (10) days prior to any inspection, the owner or manager of an apartment complex shall
cause to be issued to each tenant of the apartment complex a notice of inspection. The notice of
inspection shall contain, at a minimum, the date and time of the inspection, and the office number of
the code enforcement division. The property representative must provide a signed notice of
inspection, giving authorization for the housing enforcement officer to inspect all occupied units.
(h) At least three (3) days prior to any inspection called for under subsection (a) above, the owner or
manager of an apartment complex shall contact the housing enforcement division to determine the
number of officers from the housing enforcement division that will conduct the inspection. The owner
or manager of the apartment complex will then make provision for an employee and/or employees of
the apartment complex to accompany the officer(s) for the entire time that the officer(s) is/are on
apartment complex property. The intentional failure to provide such employee and/or employees to
accompany the officer(s) is an offense that is subject to citation.
(i) In preparation for annual inspection, the owner, manager or operator will make provisions to have
the calculated number of units made available for inspection based upon the table below:
Age of Complex
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
1-9 years
10%
20%
50%
10-19 years
20%
50%
100%
20-25 years
30%
60%
100%
26 years +
40%
75%
100%
It shall be unlawful for the apartment manager/owner to not make available the number of units
identified by ratio for inspection.
(j) All apartment complex building units and all apartment units shall be identified by their appropriate
numbers and/or letters. The numbers and/or letters of the building units shall be of highly contrasting
colors to the background surface on which they are mounted and located so as to be clearly visible
from the adjacent street or streets. For purposes of this section, the term "apartment complex" shall
mean any group of two (2) or more apartment building units. For purposes of this section, the term
"building unit" shall mean any building or structure which houses two (2) or more apartment units.
For purposes of this section, the term "apartment unit" shall mean any group of rooms which are
designed or used primarily for human habitation.
(1) Apartment complexes of two (2) or more building units shall have the individual building
number and/or letters identified with figures as to be plainly visible from the abutting street or
streets. The building unit numbers and/or letters shall measure twelve (12) inches in height with
a two-inch stroke. The lowest and highest identification numbers and/or letters for the individual
apartment units in that building unit shall be mounted directly under the building unit numbers
and/or letters and shall measure five (5) inches high with a three -quarter -inch stroke. Individual
apartment units shall have the appropriate apartment unit numbers and/or letters on or over the
main entrance of each apartment unit and such apartment unit numbers and/or letters shall not
be less than three (3) inches in height. Building units having streets on more than one (1) side
shall have the building unit identification numbers and/or letters on at least two (2) sides facing
the streets. The fire marshal's office shall designate on the site plan which sides of the building
unit are to be identified with the appropriate numbers and/or letters.
(2) The front and rear numbering requirements of this section shall be the duty and responsibility
of the owner, agent and manager of each apartment unit within the city limits.
(3) Building unit numbers must be clear from any form of obstruction.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-20. - Annual multifamily housing certification.
(a) Annual application. An application for an annual apartment certification to operate shall be filed with
the housing and neighborhood services director on a yearly basis by the operator of each apartment
complex. The deadline for submitting the application shall be January 1st of the applicable year or if
this date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the next business day. The application shall be submitted
with the defined processing fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) and a photo copy of the driver's
license of the property manager or other individual that is completing the application. The processing
fee will be waived if the apartment complex is a certified participating member, in all phases, of the
Grand Prairie Police Crime -Free Multi -Housing Program or scored as a Tier 1 property the previous
year. The apartment certification shall be issued or denied within sixty (60) days upon receipt of the
completed application. Application for an annual apartment certification shall be filed on forms
provided by the city.
(b) Authorization. The application for an apartment certification hereunder shall constitute the consent
of the applicant and owner to an inspection of the entire licensed premises at reasonable times by
the housing enforcement officers, code enforcement officers, building inspectors, sanitarian
inspectors, and fire inspectors of the City of Grand Prairie and other authorized agencies of the City
of Grand Prairie for the purpose of determining whether there is any violation by the premises sought
to be permitted of any ordinances of the City of Grand Prairie or any law of the State of Texas.
(c) Change in operator. Whenever a change in the operator occurs at an existing apartment complex,
the new operator shall apply for an annual apartment certification to operate within ten (10) business
days after the effective date of the change in operator. If the prior operator's apartment certification
to operate was denied or revoked, a provisional apartment certification may be issued with special
conditions designated by the housing and neighborhood services director.
(d) Change in owner. Whenever a change in the owner occurs at an existing apartment complex, the
owner shall apply for an annual apartment certification to operate within ten (10) business days after
the effective date of the change in ownership. If the prior owner's apartment certification to operate
was denied or revoked, a provisional apartment certification may be issued with special conditions
designated by the housing and neighborhood services director.
(e) Certification term. Certifications shall be for a period of one (1) year commencing on January 1st
and terminating on the last day of December of the respective year.
(f) Certification display. The management shall display the apartment certification in the leasing office in
an open and conspicuous place.
(g) It shall be unlawful for an apartment complex not to submit the application and applicable fees
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-21. - Multifamily housing certification—Grounds for denial.
The housing and neighborhood services director may deny an apartment certification (during the
application process of any new property owner) to Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 apartments for any of the
following reasons:
(1) The apartments do not comply with the minimum requirements of Tier 3 standards;
(2) The owner/operator and/or their property manager is or has been a registered sex offender;
(3) Three (3) years has not expired from either the date the applicant and/or their manager was
convicted or completed parole or probation for any offense which relates directly to the
operation of an apartment, whether as an owner, operator, or manager, or from any offense
constituting a class B (or higher) misdemeanor related to drugs and/or prostitution or felony
involving weapons, narcotics, assault, or crimes of moral turpitude;
(4) The applicant has, within three (3) years immediately preceding the date of filing the
application, had an apartment certification suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction; or
(5) The applicant has knowingly made a material misstatement in the application for the Tier 3
apartments may also be denied an apartment certification to operate if their summary grading
score falls to a Tier 3 level based on CFS ratio and the apartment fails to meet the Tier 1 or Tier
2 CFS ratio within twelve (12) months of being notified of their Tier 3 standing.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-22. - Multifamily housing certification—Revocation.
(a) The housing and neighborhood services director may have an apartment's certification revoked (at
any time for cause) if the owner or operator is convicted of drug related or prostitution related crimes.
(b) A Tier 3 apartment may have their apartment certification revoked by the housing and neighborhood
services director if the property is not improved to a minimum Tier 2 rating by the next annual
inspection date.
(c) In processing a revocation, the housing and neighborhood services director shall prepare an
investigation report that details the circumstances that have led to the revocation. It may include, but
not be restricted to, any or all of the following:
(1) Frequency or occurrence of violation(s), arrest(s), or call(s) for service;
(2) Seriousness of the violation(s), arrests(s), or call(s) for service;
(3) History of violation(s), arrest(s), or call(s) for service;
(4) Any activity, action or effort taken by the responsible party to obstruct or interfere with
correction of the problem;
(5) The impact of the violation(s), arrest(s), or call(s) for service on the surrounding property and
community;
(6) The financial impact to the city.
(d) Upon notice of revocation, the owner may appeal the revocation within twenty (20) days to the
municipal court. If the revocation is sustained or not appealed, it remains in effect for twelve (12)
months.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-23. - Multifamily housing classifications.
(a) Calls for service (CFS). Calls for service are used to calculate the calls for service ratio. Calls
include, but are not limited to serious emergency calls for service, (police and fire) that result in a city
employee being dispatched or directed to the apartment complex. This shall include any calls within
the surrounding neighborhood that, through information or investigation, can be attributed or traced
to the apartment premises, and any self -initiated activity and/or investigation based on the
observation(s) of an emergency services representative. Calls for service shall be measured per
event or occurrence at an apartment. Multiple calls for one (1) discrete event shall count as one (1)
call for service. Calls for service include, but are not limited to:
(1) Any and all high priority emergency service calls;
(2) Commission of crimes that are drug related or drug related arrests;
(3) Commission of crimes that are prostitution related or prostitution related arrests;
(4) Commission of calls that are a breach of the peace;
(5) All fire alarms at an apartment complex;
(6) Immediate public safety and health issues at an apartment;
(7) Property related crimes.
(b) Calls for service apartment ratio. The ratio is calculated by taking the number of calls for service
divided by the total number of apartment units in an apartment community over one (1) year.
Apartment communities with an annual ratio of greater than 1.00 calls per unit will be subject to a
reduced tier rating and possible certification revocation.
(c) New apartment community tier rating. An apartment community which has not previously operated
in Grand Prairie shall be presumed to be a Tier 1 apartment community for the first year of its
operation.
(d) Summary grading score. The summary grading score (SGS) is utilized to assess the number and
types of serious outstanding violations, code convictions and calls for service observed on a property
annually. Each property will receive a tier rating based on the SGS which has a maximum of one
hundred (100) points. Tier 1 scores indicate that a property has obtained a score between ninety (90)
and one hundred (100). Scores between seventy-five (75) and eighty-nine (89) are identified as Tier
2 properties as described in this article. Scores of seventy-four (74) and below will be identified as a
Tier 3 property as described in this article. All properties will be subject to tier requirements.
(e) Tier rating calculation. The tier rating will be calculated using the calls for service apartment ratio
(CFSAR) during the previous calendar year and summary grading score (SGS) for each apartment
community located within the City of Grand Prairie, or during actual operations if less than twelve
(12) months.
Tier 1. Good/Excellent: SGS is 90 -100
Tier 2.
Average: SGS is 75 - 89
Tier 3. Below Average: SGS is 74 and below
(f) Tier notification. By March 1 sc of each calendar year, each apartment community owner will be billed
based upon their prior year's tier rating. Apartment community owners will be notified of their current
calendar year tier classification by the housing and neighborhood services director, in writing, upon
completion of the annual inspection.
(g) Tier appeals. To appeal the summary grading score (SGS) or tier classification, a written request
must be submitted to the housing and neighborhood services director within ten (10) days of
receiving their designation.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12; Ord. No. 10036-2016, § 3, 5-3-16)
Sec. 28-24. - Tier rating for multifamily housing requirements.
(a) Tier 1 properties. Tier 1 properties are those that receive a summary grading score between eighty
(80) and one hundred (100).
(b) Tier 2 and Tier 3 property requirements. Tier 2 and Tier 3 property owners, operators, property
managers or any person who lets shall require the head of a household to provide evidence of his or
her identity in addition thereto, the full and true identity of each individual that will be residing in the
apartment.
(1) Tier 2 apartment communities will be inspected on a semi-annual basis.
(2) Tier 3 apartment communities will be inspected on a quarterly basis.
(3) If an apartment community obtains a Tier 2 rating due to their calls for service ratio, the
apartment community is required to become a certified participating member, in all phases, of
the Grand Prairie Police Crime -Free Multi -Housing Program.
(4) Tier 3 apartment communities are required to become certified participating members of the
Grand Prairie Police Crime -Free Multi -Housing Program.
(c) Tier 3 property requirements.
(1) Tier 3 property owners are required to have twenty -four-hour, on-site security provided by
commissioned security officers or licensed TCLEOSE certified peace officers if the low tier
rating is based on points lost due to high CFS.
(2) All commissioned security officers while working for a Tier 3 property must be in uniform and
must be registered and hold a class B security contractor license issued from the Private
Security Bureau of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
(3) Apartment communities with an initial SGS of seventy-four (74) and below will require quarterly
inspections. Additionally, the property will be subject to citation.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12; Ord. No. 10036-2016, § 4, 5-3-16)
Sec. 28-25. - Unsecured vacant multifamily housing building.
No owner or person having charge of any unoccupied apartment building or similar structure within
the city shall leave said building or structure unlocked, unboarded or otherwise unsecured, so that
unauthorized persons may enter said building or structure. An unsecured apartment building or structure
shall constitute prima facie, a condition of immediate danger from fire to the building and adjoining
buildings and the HNS director, or such official's designated representative shall immediately notify the
owner of said unsecured building to secure the same, and if said structure or building is not secured
within forty-eight (48) hours after the owner or person in charge of the building has been notified, the code
compliance manager or such official's designated representative shall secure the apartment building at
the expense of the owner or person in charge of said building or structure, the cost of expense of the
work required to secure such building to be charged against the owner of the property as provided by
V.A.C.S. article 4436, as amended.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-26. - Partially burned multifamily housing buildings.
Whenever any apartment building or other like structure in the city is partially burned, the owner, or
any person in charge or control thereof, shall, within thirty (30) days after notice from the appropriate city
official or designee, remove all refuse, debris, charred and partially burned lumber and material from the
premises, and begin making the necessary repairs to the building. If said building or structure shall be
burned to such an extent that it is rendered incapable of being repaired as required by this or any other
provision of the ordinances of the city, the owner of the property upon which same is located, or person in
charge or control thereof, shall remove all of the remaining portion of the building or structure from the
ground. In this regard, the appropriate city official shall notify the building advisory and appeals board and
other necessary officials of the city for appropriate proceedings under article III of chapter 29.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Sec. 28-27. - Multifamily housing inspection fee schedule.
(a) A fee shall be authorized to be charged to the responsible party to provide for inspections to insure
compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The fee shall be twelve dollars and sixty cents
($12.60) per unit per year, for Tier 1, and shall be charged to the ownership of each apartment
community.
(b) Fees for Tier II eighteen dollars and ninety cents ($18.90) and Tier III twenty-five dollars and twenty
cents ($25.20) apartment communities are increased due to the required number of mandatory
inspections. Inspection fees paid more than sixty (60) days after the due date will incur a five (5) per
cent late fee.
(c) A re -inspection fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) will be assessed for any units/buildings requiring a
second and/or subsequent re -inspections due to substandard conditions. Re -inspection fees paid
more than sixty (60) days after being assessed, will incur a five (5) per cent late fee.
(d) All inspection fees including but not limited to, annual and re -inspection fees are subject to the
issuance of citation if not paid within thirty (30) days of issuance.
(e) Upon notification by the housing and neighborhood services director, in March, each apartment
complex will be billed the inspection fees associated with previous year's tier rating.
(f) It shall be unlawful not to pay annual and/or re -inspection fees within thirty (30) days of issuance.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12; Ord. No. 9815-2015, § 2,2-3-15)
Sec. 28-28. - Penalty and fines.
(a) Failure to comply. Any person, whether as owner, manager, tenant, or other person in charge of the
property, who shall violate a provision of this chapter, or fail to comply therewith, or with any of the
requirements thereof; who shall erect, construct, alter, demolish or move any structure, without an
appropriate permit; or has erected, constructed, altered, repaired, moved or demolished a building or
structure in violation of a detailed statement or drawing submitted and approved thereunder, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor. Each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each
day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is committed,
continued or permitted, and upon conviction of any such violation, such person shall be punished by
a fine as provided in section 1-8 of the Code of Ordinances. Citations and fines may be issued or
enforced in addition to any civil action or revocation of permit.
(b) Fines. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, or agent having primary responsibility
for discharge of a duty imposed by law under this section who violates any of the provisions of this
chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than
five hundred dollars ($500.00), unless such violation is a violation of an ordinance or regulation
affecting zoning, fire safety, or public health and sanitation, in which case the fine shall not be more
than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist
shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. No. 9452-2012, § 1, 11-6-12)
Secs. 28-29-28-50. - Reserved.