BASIC CODE ENFORCEMENT TEEX & TDLR PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary difference between housing codes and building codes?
A) Housing codes apply only to commercial properties while building codes apply
to residential properties
B) Housing codes establish minimum standards for existing residential buildings
while building codes pertain to new construction
C) Housing codes are federal regulations while building codes are state regulations
D) Housing codes only address fire safety while building codes address all safety
concerns
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Housing codes are pertinent to establishing minimum standards
essential for safe, sanitary, and fit human habitation by governing use,
maintenance, and occupancy of existing residential buildings. Building codes
pertain to new construction and provide minimum requirements for life, safety,
health, public welfare, and the protection of property, and also contain provisions
relating to rehabilitation of existing buildings.
2. True/False: The intent of code enforcement with respect to rehabilitation
should be to encourage the rehabilitation and conservation of older building
stock.
A) True
B) False
C) Only in residential areas
D) Only in commercial areas
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The intent of code enforcement with respect to rehabilitation should be
to encourage the rehabilitation and conservation of older building stock, which
helps preserve community character and housing stock.
3. Which rule states that municipal governments have only those powers
expressly granted by the state and those essential and indispensable to their
existence and functioning?
A) Municipality Rule
B) Venire Rule
C) Dillon's Rule
D) The Texas Freedom Act
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dillon's Rule establishes that municipal governments have only those
powers expressly granted by the state (or necessarily implied thereby) and those
essential and indispensable to their existence and functioning.
4. In what year did the City of Galveston, Texas first officially adopt the
commission form of local government?
A) 1902
B) 1926
C) 1901
D) 1944
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The City of Galveston, Texas first officially adopted the commission form
of local government in 1901, making it a pioneering city in this form of municipal
governance.
,5. What is evidence sufficient to warrant an arrest or search and seizure?
A) Search Warrant
B) Witness Testimony
C) Reasonable Doubt
D) Probable Cause
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Probable cause is evidence sufficient to warrant an arrest or search and
seizure. It is the legal standard that must be met before a search warrant can be
issued or an arrest can be made.
6. The Council Manager form of government was officially adopted in 1912 in
______ and ______.
A) 1912 in Des Moines, Iowa & 1914 in Kansas City, Kansas
B) 1914 in San Diego, California & 1915 in Santa Monica, California
C) 1912 in Sumpter, South Carolina & in 1914 in Dayton, Ohio
D) 1926 in Galveston, Texas & 1932 in Corpus Christi, Texas
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Council Manager form of government was officially adopted in
1912 in Sumpter, South Carolina and in 1914 in Dayton, Ohio, representing early
adoption of this governmental structure.
7. Fire marshals, code officers, or health officials may use ______ to obtain a
search warrant.
A) Probable Cause
B) Search Warrant
C) Witness Testimony
D) Reasonable Doubt
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fire marshals, code officers, or health officials may use probable cause
to obtain a search warrant. They must demonstrate to a judge that probable cause
exists to believe a violation has occurred.
8. The mayor-council form of government may be strong or ______.
A) Unreliable
B) Weak
C) Extra Strong
D) Easy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mayor-council form of government may be strong or weak,
referring to the relative power and authority of the mayor versus the council in
municipal governance.
9. A board of adjustments is established by the ______ law level of government
regulation.
A) County
B) State
C) Federal
D) Local
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A board of adjustments is established by the state law level of
government regulation. The state grants authority to local governments to create
such boards through enabling legislation.
10. What is the State of Texas definition of code enforcement?
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary difference between housing codes and building codes?
A) Housing codes apply only to commercial properties while building codes apply
to residential properties
B) Housing codes establish minimum standards for existing residential buildings
while building codes pertain to new construction
C) Housing codes are federal regulations while building codes are state regulations
D) Housing codes only address fire safety while building codes address all safety
concerns
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Housing codes are pertinent to establishing minimum standards
essential for safe, sanitary, and fit human habitation by governing use,
maintenance, and occupancy of existing residential buildings. Building codes
pertain to new construction and provide minimum requirements for life, safety,
health, public welfare, and the protection of property, and also contain provisions
relating to rehabilitation of existing buildings.
2. True/False: The intent of code enforcement with respect to rehabilitation
should be to encourage the rehabilitation and conservation of older building
stock.
A) True
B) False
C) Only in residential areas
D) Only in commercial areas
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The intent of code enforcement with respect to rehabilitation should be
to encourage the rehabilitation and conservation of older building stock, which
helps preserve community character and housing stock.
3. Which rule states that municipal governments have only those powers
expressly granted by the state and those essential and indispensable to their
existence and functioning?
A) Municipality Rule
B) Venire Rule
C) Dillon's Rule
D) The Texas Freedom Act
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dillon's Rule establishes that municipal governments have only those
powers expressly granted by the state (or necessarily implied thereby) and those
essential and indispensable to their existence and functioning.
4. In what year did the City of Galveston, Texas first officially adopt the
commission form of local government?
A) 1902
B) 1926
C) 1901
D) 1944
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The City of Galveston, Texas first officially adopted the commission form
of local government in 1901, making it a pioneering city in this form of municipal
governance.
,5. What is evidence sufficient to warrant an arrest or search and seizure?
A) Search Warrant
B) Witness Testimony
C) Reasonable Doubt
D) Probable Cause
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Probable cause is evidence sufficient to warrant an arrest or search and
seizure. It is the legal standard that must be met before a search warrant can be
issued or an arrest can be made.
6. The Council Manager form of government was officially adopted in 1912 in
______ and ______.
A) 1912 in Des Moines, Iowa & 1914 in Kansas City, Kansas
B) 1914 in San Diego, California & 1915 in Santa Monica, California
C) 1912 in Sumpter, South Carolina & in 1914 in Dayton, Ohio
D) 1926 in Galveston, Texas & 1932 in Corpus Christi, Texas
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Council Manager form of government was officially adopted in
1912 in Sumpter, South Carolina and in 1914 in Dayton, Ohio, representing early
adoption of this governmental structure.
7. Fire marshals, code officers, or health officials may use ______ to obtain a
search warrant.
A) Probable Cause
B) Search Warrant
C) Witness Testimony
D) Reasonable Doubt
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fire marshals, code officers, or health officials may use probable cause
to obtain a search warrant. They must demonstrate to a judge that probable cause
exists to believe a violation has occurred.
8. The mayor-council form of government may be strong or ______.
A) Unreliable
B) Weak
C) Extra Strong
D) Easy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mayor-council form of government may be strong or weak,
referring to the relative power and authority of the mayor versus the council in
municipal governance.
9. A board of adjustments is established by the ______ law level of government
regulation.
A) County
B) State
C) Federal
D) Local
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A board of adjustments is established by the state law level of
government regulation. The state grants authority to local governments to create
such boards through enabling legislation.
10. What is the State of Texas definition of code enforcement?
