This is just a reminder that if your lot has one or more attached sidewalks, the City of Kyle expects the sidewalks to be kept in good working condition. Good working condition means free from weeds, brush, earth, garbage/trash, junk, rubbish or solid waste (see descriptions below) as well as being structurally intact and safe to walk on.
Here is city ordinance information pulled from the City of Kyle website:
Sec. 23-86. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Brush means all uncultivated shrubs, bushes and small trees.
Earth and construction materials means earth, rocks, bricks, concrete, other similar materials and waste materials resulting from construction or remodeling.
Garbage means rubbish, trash, kitchen and household waste, ashes, bottles, cans, rags, paper, food containers, lawn trimmings, tree trimmings, hedge trimmings, leaves, grass, weeds and refuse, and all decayable wastes, including animal and vegetable matter, but not including sewage, hazardous, toxic or corrosive materials, and earth and construction materials as herein, or any other material which may be found to be harmful to garbage collection and handling personnel or equipment.
Injure means any and all character of physical damage, whether caused by fire or force, and which shall be done or caused willfully by any person.
Junk means all worn out, worthless and discarded material, in general, including, but not limited to, odds and ends, old iron or other metal, glass, paper, cordage or other waste or discarded materials.
Lot means, in addition to land within the boundaries of the property lines, all land adjacent to and extending beyond the property lines of any lot or parcel of land to the curblines or adjacent streets where curblines have been established or, where no curblines have been established, to eight feet beyond the property lines.
Refuse. See Garbage.
Rubbish means all refuse, old vessels of all sorts, useless articles, abandoned pipe, discarded clothing and textiles of all sorts, and in general all litter. The term "any and all objectionable or unsanitary matters," is not included within the meaning of the other terms as herein used, means those which are liable to produce or tend to produce an unhealthy, unwholesome or unsanitary condition to general locality where the same are situated.
Solid waste means household garbage and refuse and commercial garbage and refuse, brush cutting and weeds.
Trash. See Garbage.
Unwholesome matter means all stagnant water, filth, carrion, impure matters and any condition liable to produce disease.
Weeds means all rank and uncultivated vegetable growth or matter which is liable to become an unwholesome or decaying mass or breeding place for flies, mosquitoes or vermin.
(Ord. No. 280, § 1.3, 4-4-1995)
Sec. 38-21. - Maintenance of sidewalks on lots required.
(a) All persons owning lots in this city upon the streets shall keep the sidewalks around the same in good condition. In failing to do so he shall be fined in any sum not less than $5.00 nor more than $100.00.
(b) The city, at its sole discretion, may elect to facilitate the repair of any sidewalk within the city limits or authorized by agreement. The election of the city to facilitate such a repair does not remove the requirement upon the property owner to properly maintain sidewalks and in no way absolves the property owner from liability.
(Ord. No. 24, art. 62, 7-14-1964; Ord. No. 957 , § 2, 8-15-2017)
If the sidewalks attached to your property have structural integrity issues, please reach out to the City of Kyle to first see if they would be willing to make repairs and be prepared to provide examples why. We recommend first starting with Code Enforcement and you will likely be referred to Public Works. Code Enforcement may refer you to Public Works since they, Public Works, will likely be performing the repairs should the City of Kyle assume ownership of the repairs.
If they will not make repairs for some reason, then ask if they have information or guidelines that must be followed should you want to make the repairs yourself. At this point, the discussion of who repairs what is between you and the City of Kyle to negotiate and come to resolution on.
With regards to grass/weeds that grow between sidewalk slabs, the ramps present at intersections and the grassy area between the sidewalk and the street curb, owners, occupants, lessee or renters are responsible for maintaining any growth as if it were part of your yard, lot or property.
Here is city ordinance information pulled from the City of Kyle website:
Sec. 23-116. - Prohibited conduct.
It shall be unlawful for an owner, occupant, lessee or renter of any lot or parcel of ground within the city to fail to keep the property free from brush, earth and construction materials, garbage, junk, refuse, rubbish, solid waste, trash, weeds, unwholesome matters and any other objectionable, unsightly, or unsanitary matter of whatsoever nature, or to fail to keep the sidewalks in front of property free and clear of weeds and tall grass from the line of such property to the established curbline next adjacent thereto, or to fail to fill up and drain holes and depressions in which water collects, or to regrade any lots, grounds or yards or any other property owned or controlled by the owner, occupant, lessee, or renter which shall be unwholesome or have stagnant water thereon, or which from any other cause, is in such condition as to be liable to produce disease or to fail to keep any house, building, establishment, lot, yard or ground owned or occupied or under his control at all times free from filth, impure or unwholesome matter of any kind.
(Ord. No. 280, § 2.1, 4-4-1995)
Sec. 23-122. - Limitation on height of grass and weeds.
It shall be unlawful for any person who shall own or occupy any lots in the city to allow weeds and/or grass to grow on such lots to a height of more than 12 inches. Weeds and/or grass of a height exceeding 12 inches are declared a nuisance. Provided, however, this section shall not apply to property used for the growing of agricultural crops or grass if such property has not been plotted into lots.
(Ord. No. 280, § 2.7, 4-4-1995)
If you have questions about any of this, please take time and reach out to City of Kyle Code Enforcement. They are very nice and willing to answer any questions you may have on these topics and more.
