Posting Language
Title
Set a public hearing to consider an ordinance to amend Article 9 (Property Maintenance Code) of City Code Chapter 2512 (Technical Codes), to add a new local amendment to the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code to establish an emergency demolition process. (Suggested date: November 19, 2026, at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second Street, Austin, Texas) Funding: This item seeks an amendment to City Code and has no fiscal impact.
De
Lead Department
Austin Development Services.
Fiscal Note
This item seeks an amendment to City Code and has no fiscal impact.
For More Information:
Keith Mars, Director, Austin Development Services, 5129741605.
Tracey Allen, Assistant Director, Austin Development Services, 5129749191.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
September 23, 2026 – Approved by the Building and Standards Commission on a 6-1 vote, with Commissioner Martinez voting no. Chair Francis and Commissioner Ibarra were absent.
Additional Backup Information:
Staff developed a process for emergency demolition, which is a proactive mechanism to rapidly address unsafe structures that pose an imminent threat or danger to the community. This process addresses a need for an expedited process to swiftly handle compromised, unstable structures. It protects the public, prevents further damage, improves compliance, reduces repeat service calls, speeds community recovery, and strengthens overall public safety.
This process is reserved for structures that require rapid demolition because of the imminent threat or danger they pose to life and safety. In these circumstances, the City cannot afford to wait to obtain a standard demolition order from the Building and Standards Commission, which involves a lengthy administrative process. Other major Texas cities (e.g., San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston) have long used emergency demolition as a best practice to swiftly address dangerous and unsafe structures.
Austin Development Services establi...
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