Submitting Ordinances & Amendments in Dallas, Texas

General Governance and Administration Texas 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 06, 2026 Flag of Texas

This guide explains where to submit ordinance drafts and amendments in Dallas, Texas, who reviews them, and the practical steps to get an item placed on the City Council agenda. Most ordinance drafts start with the City Secretary or the City Attorney for routing and legal review, then proceed to Council for introduction and adoption. Use the official municipal code to confirm required language and penalties before filing. City Secretary legislative services[1] is the primary intake and records office for proposed ordinances, while the City Attorney provides legal drafting and review. [2]

Start with the City Secretary to confirm submission format and deadlines.

Process overview

Typical steps are: prepare a clean draft and summary, request legal review, file with the City Secretary for agenda consideration, and follow Council meeting procedures for readings and adoption. The City of Dallas code of ordinances is the authoritative text to check existing provisions before submitting amendments. [3]

  • Prepare a draft ordinance showing exact text to add, remove, or replace.
  • Attach a short statement of purpose and any required exhibits (maps, exhibits, redlines).
  • Confirm submission format and deadlines with the City Secretary before filing.

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties for violations referenced in Dallas ordinances depend on the specific ordinance section and are enforced by the department charged with that subject matter (for example, Code Compliance, Sustainable Development, or Transportation). The consolidated code lists offenses and penalties where applicable; if a monetary fine or escalation scheme is not stated on the controlling ordinance page, it is not specified on the cited page.[3]

Enforcement is typically handled by the department named in the ordinance text or by Code Compliance.
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page when an ordinance does not include a penalty provision; check the specific code section cited in the ordinance.[3]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, or continuing offenses depend on the ordinance language; if absent, the cited page does not specify escalation ranges.[3]
  • Non-monetary sanctions can include compliance orders, abatement, permit suspension, or court action as authorized by the ordinance or state law; enforcement department handles inspections and notices.
  • To report violations or seek enforcement contact Code Compliance or the named department; see Help and Support below for direct links.

Applications & Forms

Some ordinance actions require specific forms or supporting documents for agenda submission; the City Secretary publishes submission requirements. If a particular intake form or fee is required it will be listed on the City Secretary or department page; where a form is not published, none is specified on the cited page.[1]

Action steps

  • Contact the City Secretary to confirm format, attachments, and agenda deadlines before filing.
  • Request legal review from the City Attorney for plain-language and statutory compatibility.
  • Submit early to allow time for routing, public notice, and Council scheduling.

FAQ

Who accepts ordinance drafts for the City of Dallas?
The City Secretary accepts ordinance drafts for routing and agenda placement; the City Attorney provides legal review.[1]
Where can I check existing ordinance language and penalties?
Consult the official Dallas Code of Ordinances at the city code publisher to verify current text and any penalty provisions.[3]
Are there fees or forms to submit an ordinance?
Submission requirements and any fees are published by the City Secretary or the department with subject matter authority; if a form is not listed, none is specified on the cited page.[1]

How-To

  1. Draft the ordinance text and a short explanatory summary for Council and the public.
  2. Send the draft to the City Attorney for legal review and to the City Secretary for intake.
  3. Provide any required exhibits, maps, or redline comparisons with the existing code.
  4. Confirm agenda deadlines and request placement on the appropriate Council meeting.
  5. Attend the Council meeting or arrange a representative to present and respond to questions.

Key Takeaways

  • Begin with the City Secretary to confirm submission format and deadline.
  • Obtain City Attorney review to reduce risk of referral or rejection.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Dallas Legislative Services - City Secretary
  2. [2] City of Dallas - City Attorney
  3. [3] Dallas Code of Ordinances - Municode

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