SAN ANTONIO – Some code compliance issues are blatantly obvious: trash on the front lawn, grass reaching 3 feet high, junk vehicles parked in yards.
Others, however, often fly under a homeowner's radar.
One of the most common misconceptions is that the alleyway behind a home's fence belongs to the city.
While it is a public easement that the government needs access to, it is still a homeowner's responsibility to maintain their half of the alley, according Rod Sanchez, director of San Antonio's Development Services Department, which oversees Code Enforcement.
"Most people don't realize that they own the property halfway into the alley. So they're responsible for maintaining it and keeping it in code," said Sanchez. "It's an open easement, but they actually own the property. It's an easement where the government can get back here to cut the grass or pick up the trash."
Or maintain utility lines, often located in alleys, adds Sanchez.
Grass, either in an alley or yard, must not exceed more than 12 inches.
Another little-known code violation pertains to street signs positioned on private property.
If the sign is on your property, it is your responsibility to make sure the sign remains visible, keeping bushes or trees from blocking the sign.
"It's actually a life-safety issue. If a car doesn't see a stop sign there, they can roll right past it and get in an accident," Sanchez said. "We can actually go give the homeowner a violation for not maintaining their tree."
Perhaps the least-known code violation has to do with ceiling fans and light fixtures. The city requires that a permit be pulled to install a fan or fixture where there was not one previously.
"If you're installing a brand new light fixture or new switch, all of that requires a permit. So you need make sure you hire a licensed electrical contractor and you need to make sure they're pulling their permits," said Sanchez.
Sanchez says any electrical work within the city of San Antonio must be performed by a licensed electrician. The licensed professional is required to pull the correct permits. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable.
However, if a homeowner hires an unlicensed professional to do the work, the failure to pull permits can fall on the homeowner.
Permits are also required if a homeowner is repairing 25 percent or more of a fence.
"We want to make sure they're using the right amount of concrete, that they're not building it too high," said Sanchez.
Fences behind and on the sides of a home are allowed to be up to 6 feet high. A fence in front of a house must be no more than 3 feet if it is a wooden fence or one that cannot be seen through.
Sanchez admits that it would be hard for Code Enforcement to find out about smaller, less obvious code violations.
But he adds the rules are there for safety's sake.
"We want to make sure that they're doing it right. That no one is going to get hurt," said Sanchez.
