Question	Answer
Subject: Building Inspections
When is a permit required?	New construction and remodeling, enlarging or additions to existing structures will require a permit, including swimming pools, storage buildings, fences, retaining walls, foundation repair and signs. Other miscellaneous projects that must be permitted include water heaters, lawn sprinkler systems, heating or air conditioning installations, electrical system upgrades or gas leak repairs. Call Building Inspections at 817-788-7088 for specific inquiries.
How do I apply for a permit?	Applications must be submitted to the Building Inspections Department. Some require plans and must be reviewed before being issued. Payment and a signature must be obtained prior to issuance of any permit.
Can a homeowner get a permit or must a licensed contractor be hired?	A homeowner actually living in the structure may apply for permits for that structure if he/she is actually performing the work.
What are your hours of operation and where are you located?	Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. After hours inspections can be arranged by calling 817-788-7088. We are located in City Hall, at the west end of the building on the first floor.
Do subcontractors obtain permits or does the general contractor get all the permits?	Each trade must obtain their own permits.
Do contractors have to register with the City?	All contractors must register their company by submitting a registration form, owner's driver's license and the required fee. Electrical, mechanical, plumbing and irrigation contractors must also register their license holders by submitting a registration form, trade license and driver's license and the required fee.
What forms of payment do you accept?	We accept cash, checks or credit cards. Credit charges may only be up to $500.00.
What Building Codes has Hurst adopted?	We currently operate under the 2003 International Residential, Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas and Energy Conservation Codes and the 2005 National Electrical Code, all with local amendments.
When is a Certificate of Occupancy required?	Application for a Certificate of Occupancy is required prior to occupying a new structure or an addition to the currently occupied space, for any new tenant, new business in the City or for a change of ownership or business name of an existing business.
How do I request an inspection?	Inspection requests are left on a voice messaging system which is available twenty-four hours. Requests must include all permit numbers, the work location, and type of inspection needed. Requests are taken off the recorder at 8 am Monday through Friday. All properly made inspection requests placed by that time will be made before the end of that business day. Any requests left after 8 am will be placed on the next day’s list. The inspection request number is 817-788-7096 and is listed at the bottom of all permits.
Subject: Code Enforcement
Do I need a permit to have a garage sale?	Permits are NOT required for Garage Sales in Hurst. However, sales must consist of household goods only (no retail sales), must be at least 6 months apart in time and no more than three (3) days in duration.
What is the City ordinance regarding high weeds?	Vegetation should not be allowed to grow over 8” on residential or developed commercial properties or over 12" on undeveloped commercial lots.
How do I dispose of limbs & brush?	Limbs should be cut into 4’ lengths and bundled in bundles weighing less than 50 lbs or placed in containers to be picked up curbside by Allied Waste. Leaves may be placed in bags. Limbs, brush or leaves left piled up for an extended time make excellent harbors for rodents, so we encourage citizens to dispose of these quickly.
What can I do with old batteries, paint cans, oil, etc.?	Hazardous materials may be disposed of at the Environmental Collection Center in Fort Worth. For more detailed information, visit our Environmental Collection Center page.
What about junk cars?	Vehicles parked in the City must be operable and have a current license tag and current inspection sticker.
Can I post signs in the City advertising a business?	Only signs which have been permitted through Building Inspections may be placed in the City.
What are the ordinances about garbage pickup?	Trash should not be placed curbside prior to 7PM the night before scheduled collection days. Trash bags must be securely tied and trash cans or recycling bins must have a lid in place to keep the contents from scattering.
Can I operate a business from my home?	Certain home offices are allowed, but no employees are allowed to come to your home for any reason except family members living in your home.
Subject: General
Building Permits	Building permits are available from the Public Works Building Inspection Division located at 1505 Precinct Line Road. A building permit is required to construct a new structure or to remodel or add to an existing structure. This includes fences, swimming pools, signs, etc. Contractors must be registered and submit current trade licenses. Additional information on Building Permits may be obtained by calling the Building Inspection Division at 817-788-7088.
Construction Permits	Construction permits are available from the Public Works Engineering Division at 1505 Precinct Line Road. A construction permit is required for work performed within the public right-of-way and easements and also covers soil deposition on private property. The cost of a construction permit is 4% of the construction costs. A maintenance bond in the amount of 100% of construction cost is also required and is valid for two years from the acceptance of the work performed. Additional information on construction permits may be obtained by calling Engineering at (817) 788-7076 and at our Permits and Submittals page.
Floodplain Information	Floodplain Permit applications are available from the Engineering Division located at 1505 Precinct Line Road. A Floodplain Permit is required prior to ANY development within the mapped limits of the Special Flood Hazard Boundary, or floodplain. These limits are designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Development is defined as "any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials" (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Volume 1, October 1, 2007). Residents, developers, real estate agents and insurance representatives with questions concerning floodplain development, flood insurance, or general flooding questions should contact the City Floodplain Administrator at (817) 788-7080.
Good Neighbor Program	The Good Neighbor Program is designed to assist residents and businesses in the maintenance of their properties by distributing informational guides on ordinances, providing assistance such as clean up programs and supplying referrals for disposal of vehicles, hazardous waste and household items. Waste collection events are held in the Spring and Fall to allow residents to dispose of trash, debris, and hazardous waste. The event is conducted at the Bellaire Shopping Center. Continual maintenance of individual properties is essential in protecting our quality of life and we encourage citizens and business owners to join us in these efforts. Contact us at (817) 788-7088 to learn more about the Good Neighbor Program.
Household Hazardous Waste Program	The Household Hazardous Waste Program is a joint effort with the City of Fort Worth’s Environmental Collection Center (ECC) located at 6400 Bridge Street in Fort Worth, about 10 minutes from Hurst City Hall. Citizens with a Hurst address on their driver’s license or a current water bill may take those hard-to get-rid-of items such as aerosol cans, old paint, batteries, and used motor oil to the ECC and leave them with a highly trained professional staff for proper disposal or reuse, free of charge. The City is charged per disposal, whether it is one can of paint or fifty cans. As a result, we ask that you collect several items within your household or with your neighbors to dispose of at the Collection Center. For more information please visit our Environmental Collection Center page. Environmental Collection Center hours are Thursday & Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Center's phone number is 817-871-5257.
Line Locations	To determine the location of traffic signal lines, call (817) 788-7208. For water and sewer line locations, call (817) 788-7201. You must obtain a permit from the Engineering Division prior to receiving line locations. A permit number is required with application along with a map, address and stakes or markings. Please allow 24 to 48 hours for locates. For all after hours emergency locates call (817) 788-7212.
Plats / Maps	Plats, construction plans, and other maps are available for viewing and copying. Copies are charged according to the Reproduction fees from the Engineering Division located at 1505 Precinct Line Rd between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The City of Hurst maps are also available online. You must download Acrobat Reader software, version 4 or higher to view and print the map. If you have any further questions, please call (817) 788-7076.
Street Light Outages	Please report street light outages in one of the following ways: 1. Call Oncor (toll free) at 1-888-313-4747 2. Report the outage online at Oncor Streetlight Outage or 3. Call (817) 788-7208. Please inform the operator of the exact location of the street light, or if possible the 4-digit number on the pole. The City will report the damage or outage to Oncor for repair or replacement.
Street repair	For non-emergency street problems call (817) 788-7207 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For emergency, after hours street problems, call (817) 788-7212.
Water Pressure	Call the Central Control Operations Center at (817) 788-7212.
Water Quality	A copy of the City of Hurst Water Quality Report is available here. For additional information, please call (817)788-7812.
Water, Trash Service and Storm Drainage / Utility Billing	For water and trash information, please visit the Utility Billing page.
Zoning	For zoning information, please visit the Planning and Zoning page.
Subject: Code Enforcement
Can I park a car or other vehicle in my yard?	Parking a vehicle, including boats or trailers, on an unpaved surface, is no longer allowed in Hurst, unless it is located on the side of the house or in the back yard AND it is hidden from view of the street and adjoining properties by a 6 foot screening fence.
Subject: General
What do the different utility flag colors mean?	These are the APWA Uniform Color Code for marking underground utility lines. The explanation of each color is available here.
Reproduction charges	These are fees charged for copies made by the city. Some documents are available online at no charge. The complete list is located here.
Floodplain Information	Flood Plain permits are available from the Engineering Division located at 1505 Precinct Line Road. A Floodplain permit is required for soil deposition within a floodplain area as designated by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps. Filling in a designated floodplain is only allowed after a flood study has been conducted, submitted to FEMA and approved. Residents, real estate agents and insurance representatives with questions concerning flood insurance or floodplain determinations should contact Engineering at (817) 788-7076