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Major Codes In Use by City of Gainesville

The major Codes in use by the City of Gainesville are as follows:

  1. 2003 International Building Code as required by State Law. 
  1. 2000 International Fire Code.
  1. 2000 International Plumbing Code as required by state Law. 
  1. 2000 International Fuel Gas Code.
  1. 2000 International Mechanical Code. 
  1. 2006 International Energy Conservation Code as required by State Law.
  1. 2005 National Electric Code as required by State Law. 
  1. 2000 International Residential Code as required by State Law.
  1. 2006 International Property Maintenance Code 
  1. City of Gainesville Foundation Elevation Ordinance.
  1. City of Gainesville Zoning Ordinance.
  1. City of Gainesville Subdivision Ordinance.
  1. City of Gainesville I-35 Development Corridor Regulations. 
  1. City of Gainesville Grand Avenue Development Corridor Regulations.
  1. City of Gainesville West U.S. Highway 82 Regulations. 
  1. City of Gainesville Historic District Regulations.
  1. City of Gainesville Bed and Breakfast Ordinance. 
  1. City of Gainesville Fee Schedule. 
  1. City of Gainesville Landscape Ordinance.
  1. City of Gainesville Tree Preservation Ordinance. 
  1. City of Gainesville Storm Water Drainage Ordinance.
  1. City of Gainesville Floodplain Regulations. 
  1. City of Gainesville 2006 Sign Code.
  1. City of Gainesville Health Code. 
  1. City of Gainesville Contractor Registration Ordinance.
  1. City of Gainesville Antenna regulations. 
  1. City of Gainesville Moss Lake Regulations.
  1. City of Gainesville Sexually Oriented Business Ordinance. 
  1. State of Texas Handicap Law.
  1. State of Texas Asbestos Abatement Law.
  1. North Central Texas Council of Governments Standards for Public Works Construction.

NOTES:

  1. Most of the above Codes and Ordinances have amendments to them.
  1. Asbestos Abatement  laws require an asbestos survey for any commercial building to be demolished or remodeled, and in some cases for residential buildings.  No City permit will be issued without a copy of the abatement report. 
  1. Floodplain laws are basically the same as what is required by FEMA, and if any part of your project is in a flood hazard area, a hydraulics and hydrology study will be required. 
  1. The State of Texas Handicap Law has been adopted by the City, and your project must be registered with and inspected by the State.
  1. The City Health Code is basically the same as State Law. 
  1. The City Commercial Swimming Pool Code is the same as State Law.
  1. Energy Code Calculations are required for any new construction. 
  1. Most new projects will require Storm Water Drainage Plans and Calculations to be submitted to the Public Works Department for approval by their engineer.  No permit will be issued without their approval.
  1. All General Contractors, Electrical Contractors, Plumbing Contractors and HVAC Contractors are required to be registered with the City prior to starting work on a project.  All journeymen and apprentices are required to be licensed before starting work on a job.  Other types of contractors who can pull a permit may also be required to be registered with the City. 
  1. All plumbers, electricians and air conditioning tradesmen are required to be licensed by the State.
  1. All  architects, engineers and fire protection professionals are required to be licensed by the State.  City licenses are no longer issued. 
  1. All elevator and boiler inspections are done by the State.
  1. All plans for fire sprinklers, fire alarms and other fire related issues must be approved by the Fire Marshal prior to being issued a permit.  
  1. Grease traps and septic tanks, where allowed, shall be approved by the Health Officer.
  1. There are five types of sign regulations; billboards, I-35, Grand Avenue, Hwy 82, and the rest of the town.  The one that affects you will depend on the area you are building in. 
  1. The airport has it’s own special regulations and zoning, which are mostly related to FAA Regulations.  For projects at the airport, please contact the Airport Manager first.
  1. Private water wells are not allowed by the City, except in some agricultural areas where city water is not available. 
  1. The City of Gainesville has exclusive solid waste disposal rights, and all dumpsters must be provided by the Sanitation Department.
  1. Any low pressure gas installation must be approved by the Fire Marshal.  
  1. New home builders and remodelers are required to be registered with the Texas Residential Constriction Commission as well as with the City.
  1. Mobile homes, manufactured homes and modular homes are only permitted to be located in areas that are zoned for them. Structures built under the Texas Industrialized Housing Code are allowed in most areas. 
  1. Driveway approaches on all State Roads are permitted by TXDOT.  Driveway approaches on all other City Streets are approved by the Public Works Department.  I-35, Highway 82, FM 51, Fm 1306, Grand Avenue, California Street, Old Denton Road, Woodbine Road and parts of Anthony Street and Broadway Street are all State Roads.
  1. The I-35 Development Corridor extends for 1000’ on each side of I-35.  The Grand Ave Development Corridor extends for one block on each side of Grand Avenue.  The West Highway 82 Development Corridor extends for 300’ on each side of the highway 82 R.O.W.  The Pecan Creek Floodplain extends for a block or more on each side of Pecan Creek.  The Elm Creek and Wheeler Creek Floodplains vary a considerable amount on each side of them.   
  1. Moss Lake is owned by the City of Gainesville. The normal pool elevation at Moss Lake is 715’ above mean sea level, with the 100 year floodplain elevation being 736’.  Most of the land around the lake belongs to private property owners.

Major utility services for this area are as follows:

  1. TXU Electric.
  2. Cooke County Electric Coop in some areas.
  3. ATMOS Energy for gas service.
  4. The City of Gainesville for water and sewer service in most areas.
  5. The City of Gainesville for solid waste/ garbage disposal.
  6. LP Gas by approval of the Fire Marshal only. 

Issues not regulated by the City of Gainesville:

  1. Deed restrictions.
  2. ETJ, with minor exceptions.
  3. Lindsay, TX.
  4. Valley View, TX.
  5. Pioneer Valley Area.
  6. Lake Kiowa, TX.
  7. Oak Ridge, TX.
  8. Woodbine, TX.
  9. Myra, TX.
  10. Areas designated as Cooke County, TX.

The City of Gainesville does not currently have any noise regulations in effect except for industrial zoning districts as specified in the zoning ordinance.  We ask that you respect the privacy of residents in residential districts and limit work from 7 am to 7 pm.  We do have a nuisance ordinance in effect that regulates trash, junk, odors, dust and noise at the opinion of the inspector.

The maximum fine for all building, zoning, fire and safety related violations is up to $2,000.00 per day with each day being a separate violation.  Fines for violations of State Laws range from $5,000.00 per day and up!

 
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