Basic Code Enforcement TEEX &
TDLR Texas Code Enforcement Laws •
Regulations • Zoning • Housing •
Public Safety
MAJOR EXAM TOPICS
SECTION TOPIC AREA KEY SUBJECTS COVERED
Definition of code enforcement, duties of officers, officer-
Code Enforcement
1 in-training requirements, P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D safety
Fundamentals
principles
Texas Government & Home rule, general law cities, municipal authority,
2
Legal Authority Dillon’s Rule, local government structure
Fourth Amendment searches, First Amendment
3 Constitutional Law
signs/speech, Fourteenth Amendment equal protection
Search warrants, probable cause, jury terms, venire, legal
4 Legal Procedures
standards
Municipal Government Commission government, council-manager government,
5
Forms mayor-council government
Zoning authority, land use planning, zoning ordinances,
6 Zoning Regulations
zoning commissions
Board of adjustments, variances, special exceptions,
7 Variances & Appeals
appeals, nonconforming uses
Comprehensive Land-use plans, transportation plans, community facilities,
8
Planning policy documents
Home-based businesses, restrictions, nuisance prevention,
9 Home Occupations
childcare regulations
Junk & Abandoned Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683, junk vehicles,
10
Vehicles abandoned vehicles, removal procedures
,SECTION TOPIC AREA KEY SUBJECTS COVERED
Public Health & Weeds, rubbish, nuisance properties, sanitation notices,
11
Sanitation property liens
Housing inspections, rehabilitation, building codes,
12 Housing Codes
residential standards
13 Building Regulations Building codes, safe structures, rehabilitation requirements
Sign classifications, permits, wall signs, pole signs,
14 Sign Regulations
projecting signs
Inspections, documentation, compliance actions, public
15 Enforcement Procedures
safety protection
1. What is the State of Texas definition of code enforcement?
A) The ability to arrest anyone at anytime
B) The ability to write ordinances, inspect property, issue citations, and arrest violators
C) The enforcement of the federal code
D) The inspection, improvement and rehabilitation of environmental hazards in public and
private premises by determining the presence of fire or health hazards, nuisance violations,
unsafe building conditions, and violations of any fire, health, or building regulation, statute, or
ordinance.
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE:
Code enforcement involves protecting public health, safety, and welfare by identifying and
correcting violations involving buildings, property conditions, hazards, and local regulations.
2. True/False:
The State of Texas defines a code officer as an agent of this state or a political subdivision of this
state who engages in code enforcement and has one year or more of experience in the field of
code enforcement.
CORRECT ANSWER: True
RATIONALE:
A Code Enforcement Officer is recognized as an authorized government agent with at least one
year of experience performing code enforcement duties.
, 3. The State of Texas defines a code enforcement officer-in-training as:
A) An agent of this state or a political subdivision of this state who engages in code enforcement
and has three months or more of experience in the field of code enforcement
B) An agent of this state or a political subdivision of this state who engages in code enforcement
and has one year or more of experience in the field of code enforcement
C) An enforcement agent
D) An agent of this state or political subdivision of this state who engages in code enforcement
and has less than one year of experience in the field of code enforcement and is supervised by a
registered Code Enforcement Officer.
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE:
A Code Enforcement Officer-in-Training has less than one year of experience and must work
under supervision until qualified.
4. The code enforcement officer examination measures the ____________ and ___________
required to be a code enforcement officer.
A) ability; accuracy
B) efficiency; attitude
C) age; IQ
D) knowledge; skills
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE:
The certification exam evaluates whether an officer possesses the necessary knowledge and
practical skills required for effective code enforcement.
5. What is another hat or duty that a code enforcement officer may wear?
A) Health/Building Official
B) Fire Fighter
C) Social Worker
D) Animal Control
E) Police/Law Interpreter
F) All of the Above
TDLR Texas Code Enforcement Laws •
Regulations • Zoning • Housing •
Public Safety
MAJOR EXAM TOPICS
SECTION TOPIC AREA KEY SUBJECTS COVERED
Definition of code enforcement, duties of officers, officer-
Code Enforcement
1 in-training requirements, P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D safety
Fundamentals
principles
Texas Government & Home rule, general law cities, municipal authority,
2
Legal Authority Dillon’s Rule, local government structure
Fourth Amendment searches, First Amendment
3 Constitutional Law
signs/speech, Fourteenth Amendment equal protection
Search warrants, probable cause, jury terms, venire, legal
4 Legal Procedures
standards
Municipal Government Commission government, council-manager government,
5
Forms mayor-council government
Zoning authority, land use planning, zoning ordinances,
6 Zoning Regulations
zoning commissions
Board of adjustments, variances, special exceptions,
7 Variances & Appeals
appeals, nonconforming uses
Comprehensive Land-use plans, transportation plans, community facilities,
8
Planning policy documents
Home-based businesses, restrictions, nuisance prevention,
9 Home Occupations
childcare regulations
Junk & Abandoned Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683, junk vehicles,
10
Vehicles abandoned vehicles, removal procedures
,SECTION TOPIC AREA KEY SUBJECTS COVERED
Public Health & Weeds, rubbish, nuisance properties, sanitation notices,
11
Sanitation property liens
Housing inspections, rehabilitation, building codes,
12 Housing Codes
residential standards
13 Building Regulations Building codes, safe structures, rehabilitation requirements
Sign classifications, permits, wall signs, pole signs,
14 Sign Regulations
projecting signs
Inspections, documentation, compliance actions, public
15 Enforcement Procedures
safety protection
1. What is the State of Texas definition of code enforcement?
A) The ability to arrest anyone at anytime
B) The ability to write ordinances, inspect property, issue citations, and arrest violators
C) The enforcement of the federal code
D) The inspection, improvement and rehabilitation of environmental hazards in public and
private premises by determining the presence of fire or health hazards, nuisance violations,
unsafe building conditions, and violations of any fire, health, or building regulation, statute, or
ordinance.
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE:
Code enforcement involves protecting public health, safety, and welfare by identifying and
correcting violations involving buildings, property conditions, hazards, and local regulations.
2. True/False:
The State of Texas defines a code officer as an agent of this state or a political subdivision of this
state who engages in code enforcement and has one year or more of experience in the field of
code enforcement.
CORRECT ANSWER: True
RATIONALE:
A Code Enforcement Officer is recognized as an authorized government agent with at least one
year of experience performing code enforcement duties.
, 3. The State of Texas defines a code enforcement officer-in-training as:
A) An agent of this state or a political subdivision of this state who engages in code enforcement
and has three months or more of experience in the field of code enforcement
B) An agent of this state or a political subdivision of this state who engages in code enforcement
and has one year or more of experience in the field of code enforcement
C) An enforcement agent
D) An agent of this state or political subdivision of this state who engages in code enforcement
and has less than one year of experience in the field of code enforcement and is supervised by a
registered Code Enforcement Officer.
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE:
A Code Enforcement Officer-in-Training has less than one year of experience and must work
under supervision until qualified.
4. The code enforcement officer examination measures the ____________ and ___________
required to be a code enforcement officer.
A) ability; accuracy
B) efficiency; attitude
C) age; IQ
D) knowledge; skills
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE:
The certification exam evaluates whether an officer possesses the necessary knowledge and
practical skills required for effective code enforcement.
5. What is another hat or duty that a code enforcement officer may wear?
A) Health/Building Official
B) Fire Fighter
C) Social Worker
D) Animal Control
E) Police/Law Interpreter
F) All of the Above
