The Big Spring Code of Ordinances are available online or at the Howard County Public Library. In many instances a paragraph in the City Code book adopts another book. Those books should also be available at the library. Review the

Powered by Froala Editor

Overgrown lots, junk vehicles, and other hazardous conditions. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

1. Online: You can send your complaint online by using the Request Tracker
2. By Phone: Call 432-264-2505 to file a complaint.
3. In Office: The Code Enforcement Office located at 217 East 3rd Street. You can speak to Code Enforcement staff to file a complaint.
4. By Mail: You can send a written complaint to Code Enforcement Office at 217 E. 3rd St, Big Spring, Texas 79720.
5. By Fax: You can fax a complaint to 432-264-7024.

Powered by Froala Editor

A Code Enforcement Officer will contact the complainant after investigating the complaint. Typically, Code Enforcement Officers will call complainants, so please include a daytime phone number in your complaint. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

Code Enforcement Officers will try to perform an initial investigation within 48 hours of receiving your complaint. Complaints are prioritized with issues dealing with the health and safety of our community getting first priority. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

You may choose to stay anonymous, however, the department staff will not be able to inform you of any actions taken or planned. Often, citizens complain about a situation, which is not a city code violation, but have failed to give the Code Enforcement officers a way to advise them of such. The code enforcement officers do not disclose the name of a complainant with a violator when a complaint is addressed. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

The city cannot enforce deed restrictions unless they mirror city codes. Restrictive covenants are a contract between the homeowners in a specific area and the developer. The city is not a party to that contract. If you want your restrictive covenants enforced, first try your homeowners association. If one does not exist or they will not enforce the restrictions, any party to the contract has the right to go to the Justice of the Peace’s office and file a “Suit for Specific Performance.” The complainant must pay a filing fee and a fee for the Constable to serve the defendant. The complainant may request that these fees be part of any judgment against the defendant. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

If you feel that a code needs to be changed, contact members of the City Council. If they feel that a code needs to be changed or to be removed, they can have the appropriate board review the specific code for possible modifications. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

When the Code Officer investigates a complaint and find the complaint is valid, they take pictures of the violation and return to the Code Enforcement Office. The officer looks up the legal property to find the owner(s). If the property has not been in the complaint computer prior, then the Code Officer will send the property owner(s) a letter giving them 10 to correct the violation. In 10 the Code Officer will re-inspect the property.

If the violation has been corrected, the Code Officer will close the complaint in the computer. In the event the violation has not been corrected in the allotted time, the Code Officer will retake pictures and send the property owner(s) a citation, at which time they will 10 days to contact Municipal Court and pay the fines. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

Powered by Froala Editor

Usually when the city is forced to abate a nuisance or problem on private property, a bill will be sent to the property owner. If payment has not been received, or a payment plan has not been authorized, a lien can be filed on the property. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

Yes, under certain circumstances they can. If the hazard creates an immediate fire or safety problem, the problem can be abated and a bill sent with no other notice. If you have been notified to abate the hazard or other violation and you chose not to do so, the notice includes notice that the city can enter and abate the problem after a certain time has elapsed. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

That depends upon the violation. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

That depends upon the purpose of the visit and the location of the violation. The curtilage area of a yard is open to all unless posted. In some instances, the city codes give the code enforcement officers authority to enter your property to examine for certain violations. In some instances a search warrant is required. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

Yes. The Senior Code Enforcement Officer is charged with the investigation of environmental crimes. The usual investigation involves illegal dumping of solid waste but can include hazardous wastes and materials. They also perform courtesy safety inspections when power is turned on at a house or business. At this time they look for safety problems such as improperly secured pools, hazardous conditions or chemicals. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

Yes, Code Enforcement Officers have the authority to act outside of the city limits. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

A property owner is responsible for the center line of the street to the center line of the alley or easement. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

The City of Big Spring Code of Ordinances allows your grass or weeds to reach a maximum of 12 before a letter will be sent to the property owner. The property owner has 10 to correct the violation. At the end of the 10 the Code Officer will reinspect the violation. If it has been corrected the complaint will be closed. If the violation still exists, the Code Officer will send the property owner a citation. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

A property owner must not allow their vegetation to grow into the city streets, alleys, or side streets. This can, and will create a safety hazard for traffic at intersections and in alleys. If a property owner allows their vegetation to enter into the public right of ways, the Code Officer will send the property owner a letter asking them to trim the trees or vegetation back. Property owners then have 10 to correct the violation before a citation will be sent. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

Under Article 3, Section 13-46 of the City Code of Ordinances, a motor vehicle is considered a junk vehicle if it does not have lawfully attached to it:

1. An expired license plate and sticker
2. A valid motor vehicle inspection certificate
3. Is wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, or discarded
4. Remains inoperable for more than 45 consecutive days

A certified letter will be sent to the property owner(s) to remove the vehicle(s) from the property. After the 10 a reinspection will be done by the Code Officer. If the violation has been corrected the complaint will be closed. If the violation still exist a citation will be sent to the property owner(s), for every day that the violation occurs. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

Powered by Froala Editor

The Texas State law states that no water from a swimming pool or pond may be emptied on streets, alleys, or private property. This is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 per day. Please call 432-264-2505 for more information.

This is a very good question that could have many answers. First of all, there is a steady influx of new employees at the BSFD. As part of the initial and on-going training, new firefighters are required to learn how to safely operate both the ambulances and fire units. The best way to accomplish this is to allow them to operate these vehicles under direct supervision of a more experienced firefighter. Secondly, the firefighter may be learning a particular part of town by driving that area to familiarize themselves with the streets, dips, curves, etc. Lastly, the department performs periodic checks of fire hydrants throughout town. This includes checking hydrants for damage, paint condition, location, etc. Citizens can rest assured that all units are available for immediate response to an emergency, if needed. Please call 432-264-2304, for more information.

Powered by Froala Editor

The City of Big Spring maintains a Job Vacancy List in the Human Resources Office located at:

310 Nolan Street

Big Spring, Texas 79720

The Human Resources staff is available to assist you with all phases of the employment process. Please contact us if you would like additional information.

The Human Resources office is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

If you are charged with a traffic offense, you may be eligible to ask the judge to take a driving safety course to dismiss the charge. The request must be made before the appearance date on the citation. It may be made in writing. If you were operating a motorcycle and request to take a driving safety course, you must take a motorcycle operator’s training course. At the time of the request, you must do the following:

1. Present proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance) and valid Texas Driver's License
2. Plead guilty or nolo contendere (no contest)
3. Pay court costs and an administrative fee, if required

The case will be postponed for 180 days to allow you time to complete the course. You must attend a driving safety course that has been approved by the Texas Education Agency or a motorcycle operator’s course approved by the Department of Public Safety. Please call 432-264-2530 for more information.

Powered by Froala Editor

You are eligible to take a driving safety course if you:

1. Have not requested and taken a driving safety course for a traffic offense within the last 12 months
2. Are not currently taking the course for another violation
3. Have not committed the offense of speeding 25 miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit
4. Do not possess a Class CDL Driver's License
5. Have not committed one of the following offenses:

1. Failure to Give Information at Accident Scene
2. Leaving Scene of Accident
3. Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer
4. Reckless Driving
5. Passing a School Bus
6. An offense in a construction maintenance zone when workers are present

Please call 432-264-2530 for more information.

Powered by Froala Editor

To have a ticket dismissed for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (No Insurance), you must provide proof of insurance for the date and time of the citation. If the effective date is the same as the citation date, verification will be required from the insurance company as to the time the policy was purchased.

To have a ticket dismissed for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (No Insurance) for a vehicle that is owned by someone other than the defendant, the following is required:

1. Proof of insurance on vehicle ticketed.
2. Notarized statement from the owner of the vehicle stating the defendant had his permission to be driving that vehicle on that particular date and time.

Please call 432-264-2530 for more information.

Powered by Froala Editor

Any persons with complaints regarding treatment (not appeal of a case) by court staff shall reduce their complaint to writing and shall direct said complaint to the Presiding Judge, Mandy Haynes. Please call 432-264-2406 for more information.

Powered by Froala Editor

Whenever you are going to start a project, contact the Building Inspection Department to verify if permits are required. This will not only help in your decision making process, but also may save time and money by avoiding potential non-compliance with various City Codes and Ordinances. For more information, please call the Permits Department at (432)-264-2504.

• Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation which is regulated by the technical codes, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit for the work. Minor repairs may be made with the approval of the Building Official without a permit, provided that such repairs shall not violate any of the provisions of the technical codes.

Some projects that require permits include, but are not limited to:

• Roofs
• Fences
• Gas Lines
• Water/Sewer Lines
• Water Heaters, Water Softeners
• Swimming Pools, Spa
• Siding
• Remodels, Additions
• Decks/Porches
• Carports
• Accessory Structures (e.g. garages, storage structures, etc.)
• Demolition

Cosmetic projects that do not require permits include:

• House Painting
• Wallpaper
• Carpets
• Windows
• Doors
• Cabinets

Yes, a permit is required for the siding or covering the eaves of your home. Please call 432-264-2504 for more information.

Powered by Froala Editor

Yes, a permit is required to re-roof your house. The standard permit fee is $25 for the first $3,000 dollars. If you are a commercial contractor, then landfill fees will apply. Landfill fees are $46.92 per ton. You must have your building permit to dump at the City Landfill. Please call 432-264-2504 for more information.

• 2012 International Building Code
• 2012 International Existing Building Code
• 2021 International Fire Code
• 2012 International Gas Code
• 2012 International Mechanical Code
• 2021 International Property Maintenance Code
• 2012 International Plumbing Code
• 2012 International Residential Code
• 2023 National Electrical Code

Please call 432-264-2504 for more information.

Powered by Froala Editor

You must sign a disconnect order in the Water Office located at 410 East Third Street. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You must present a valid ID to disconnect service. Please call 432-264-2540 for more information.

Yes we do charge for brush and yard waste. The charge is $46.92 a ton for residential and commercial.