What does "city property" include?

City property commonly includes land, buildings, rights-of-way, easements, and personal property owned or controlled by the City of Fort Worth.

How do I report unauthorized use or damage to city property?

Report online or by phone to Code Compliance; see the department page for complaint submission details.

Can the city sell or lease public land to private parties?

Yes, subject to council approval and city procedures; contact Real Estate Services for process, forms, and published procedures.

City Property in Fort Worth Code - Definition & Rules

General Governance and Administration Texas 3 Minutes Read · published February 06, 2026

In Fort Worth, Texas, the concept of "city property" covers land, buildings, rights-of-way and personal property held or controlled by the city. This guide summarizes how municipal rules treat city-owned property, who enforces use and maintenance rules, how to report concerns, and where to find official text and forms for leases, sales, or encroachments in Fort Worth.

What "City Property" Includes

Fort Worth addresses municipal property across ordinances and administrative pages rather than a single consolidated definition. Common categories in practice include:

Real property (land and buildings under city title).
Personal property owned by the city (equipment, vehicles, furnishings).
Public rights-of-way, easements, and utility corridors.
Leases, licenses, and permits that grant use or possession to third parties.

For the official consolidated municipal code and chapter structure, consult the City of Fort Worth Code of Ordinances. Municipal Code^[1]

Definitions are often dispersed across chapters, so search chapter headings for property, real estate, and rights-of-way.

Roles & Responsibilities

Different city departments manage and enforce rules depending on the category of property and the issue:

Code Compliance enforces nuisance, encroachment, and unauthorized use issues and accepts complaints online. Code Compliance^[2]
Real Estate Services handles disposals, leases, and acquisitions of city-owned land and buildings. Real Estate Services^[3]
Public Works or Development Services manage rights-of-way, permits for work in public space, and encroachment agreements.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of city property rules can include administrative orders, fines, removal of encroachments, civil actions, and referral to municipal or county courts. Specific penalties vary by ordinance and chapter.

Monetary fines: amounts depend on the specific ordinance; amounts are not specified on the cited municipal code home page and must be checked in the chapter governing the violation. Not specified on the cited page.
Escalation: some violations allow daily continuing fines, increased penalties for repeat offences, or civil liens; exact ranges are chapter-specific and not specified on the cited municipal code home page.
Non-monetary sanctions: administrative orders to remove encroachments, abatement at owner expense, seizure of property used in violation, and injunctions or civil suits.
Enforcer: Code Compliance, Development Services, or designated department officials issue orders and citations; appeals typically follow municipal procedures.

Exact fines and procedural time limits are set in the ordinance chapter that applies to the specific violation.

Applications & Forms

Forms for leases, property disposition, encroachment permits, and right-of-way permits are generally handled by Real Estate Services or Development Services; the city publishes forms and submittal instructions on department pages or provides contact details to request forms. The specific form names, numbers, fees, and deadlines are not consolidated on the municipal code home page and should be requested from the managing department. Not specified on the cited page.

Common Violations

Unauthorized encroachments on city right-of-way (sidewalks, planting strips).
Unpermitted use or alteration of city-owned buildings or land.
Failure to remove personal property abandoned on city land.

Action Steps

To report a suspected violation, contact Code Compliance via the official complaint portal or phone on the Code Compliance page. Report^[2]
For leases, sales, or formal requests concerning city land, contact Real Estate Services to request forms and fee schedules. Request forms^[3]
If you receive a citation or order, follow the notice for appeal deadlines and filing instructions; if none are listed on the notice, contact the issuing department immediately.

FAQ

What does "city property" include?: City property commonly includes land, buildings, rights-of-way, easements, and personal property owned or controlled by the City of Fort Worth.
How do I report unauthorized use or damage to city property?: Report online or by phone to Code Compliance; see the department page for complaint submission details.^[2]
Can the city sell or lease public land to private parties?: Yes, subject to council approval and city procedures; contact Real Estate Services for process, forms, and published procedures.^[3]

How-To

Gather evidence: photos, dates, exact location, and contact information for responsible parties.
Check relevant ordinance chapters via the municipal code to identify possible violations.^[1]
Submit a complaint to Code Compliance with your evidence and request inspection.
If issued an order, follow appeal instructions on the notice or contact the issuing department within the stated deadline.

Key Takeaways

"City property" appears across multiple chapters rather than one single definition.
Code Compliance and Real Estate Services are primary contacts for enforcement and transactions.