Midland Franchise Rates & Inspections - Electric & Gas

Utilities and Infrastructure Texas 5 Minutes Read ยท published February 21, 2026 Flag of Texas

In Midland, Texas, municipal oversight of electric and gas franchise arrangements and related safety inspections affects rates, permits, and complaint pathways for residents and businesses. This guide explains where franchise terms come from, which city departments enforce standards, how inspections are scheduled, and what to do if you suspect unsafe work or noncompliant billing practices. It summarizes the applicable city code and local inspection process, and points to official pages for ordinances and building/inspection services. Information is current as of February 2026 unless otherwise noted.

Franchise Rates and Legal Basis

Franchise rates and any fees charged by utilities under city franchise authority are governed by the City of Midland municipal code and by specific franchise ordinances that establish terms between the city and utility companies. Exact rate-setting mechanisms, percentage franchise fees, and the text of current franchise ordinances are documented in the city code and ordinance records. For the controlling municipal code and ordinance language, see the city code and ordinance compilation.[1]

  • Franchise fee basis: as set in the applicable ordinance; amounts not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Contract documents: franchise ordinance or agreement governs inspection access and reporting obligations; review the ordinance text for specifics.[1]
  • Responsible office for franchise records: City Secretary or municipal code repository; contact details on the official city pages.
Check the ordinance text for fee language before disputing a bill.

Inspections, Permits, and Compliance

Physical inspections of gas piping, related equipment, and electrical work inside city limits are administered by the City of Midland Development Services / Building Inspections division and by the licensed utility where federal or state rules require utility oversight. The building inspections office issues permits for gas and electrical work, schedules inspections, and documents approved contractors and inspections for code compliance.[2]

  • Permits for gas or electrical work: apply via Development Services; permit requirements and submittal instructions are available on the Building Inspections page.[2]
  • Inspection types: rough-in, final, pressure tests for gas piping, and other required safety checks as listed by the building department.
  • Recordkeeping: inspection reports and permits are retained by the city; request copies via the Development Services contact point.[2]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for franchise violations and for failure to obtain required permits or inspections is handled by the appropriate city department, typically Development Services / Building Inspections for construction and safety infractions and the City Secretary or Code Enforcement for franchise or administrative breaches. Specific monetary fines, escalation for repeat or continuing offences, and non-monetary sanctions are governed by the municipal code and the relevant ordinance or administrative rule. Where the municipal code or ordinance does not display specific fine amounts on the cited page, the entry below notes that fact.[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page for franchise ordinances; consult the ordinance text or contact the City Secretary for exact figures.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence escalation ranges are not specified on the cited ordinance page; see the municipal code entries for any per-day or per-offence amounts.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: may include stop-work orders, permit revocation, orders to cure defects, seizure of unsecured equipment, and referral to municipal or county court; specific remedies depend on the ordinance and code provisions.
  • Enforcer and complaints: Development Services / Building Inspections handles construction and inspection violations; file complaints or request inspections via the Building Inspections contact page.[2]
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits for contesting violations or permit denials are set out in the municipal code or in department procedures; where not published on the cited page, the time limit is not specified on the cited page.[1]
If you receive a stop-work order, contact Development Services immediately to learn appeal deadlines.

Applications & Forms

The city publishes permit application forms and instructions for building, electrical, and gas work through Development Services. There is no single published 'franchise application' form on the cited municipal-code page; franchise relationships are typically established by ordinance and city council action rather than by a standard resident application. For permits and inspection requests, consult the Building Inspections forms and permitting page.[2]

  • Building and trade permits: apply using the Development Services permit application; fees and submittal method are listed on the building inspections page.[2]
  • Permit fees: published on permit pages or fee schedules; if not shown on the cited page, fee amounts are not specified on the cited page.[2]
  • Where to submit: follow the submission instructions on the Building Inspections page or contact Development Services for electronic or in-person filing.[2]
Franchise terms are ordinances enacted by the city council, not permit forms.

Action Steps

  • To check franchise language: review the municipal code and ordinance text referenced by the city code repository.[1]
  • To request an inspection: submit the required permit application to Development Services and schedule the inspection via the Building Inspections contact page.[2]
  • To report unsafe gas or electrical conditions: call the utility emergency number and notify Development Services immediately for an inspection; follow up with a written complaint to the city if needed.

FAQ

Who enforces gas and electrical inspection requirements in Midland?
The City of Midland Development Services / Building Inspections division enforces building, gas, and electrical permit and inspection rules; utilities may also have safety obligations.
How do I find the franchise fee or ordinance that applies to my utility?
Search the City of Midland municipal code and ordinance records for franchise ordinances or contact the City Secretary for the specific franchise document.[1]
What should I do if a contractor did work without a permit?
Contact Development Services to report the unpermitted work, request an inspection, and learn about enforcement options and required corrective measures.[2]

How-To

  1. Identify the issue: note location, nature of suspected violation, contractor details, and any immediate safety concerns.
  2. Call the utility emergency number if there is an active gas leak or electrical hazard, then notify Development Services for an inspection.
  3. File a permit complaint or inspection request with Development Services using the online or in-person permit submission process.
  4. Follow up in writing with the City Secretary or Development Services if you need a formal review of franchise terms or enforcement action.

Key Takeaways

  • Franchise terms are established by city ordinance and are found in the municipal code.[1]
  • Building Inspections handles permits and safety inspections for gas and electrical work.[2]

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Midland Code of Ordinances - franchise and ordinance records
  2. [2] City of Midland Development Services - Building Inspections

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