The Legal Department recommends that City Council approve an ordinance amending various sections of the Houston Code of Ordinances related to dumping and increasing the penalty to a maximum fine of $4,000.00.
Section 54.001 of the Local Government Code allows municipalities to enforce a rule, ordinance or police regulation that governs the dumping of refuse by a fine or penalty of up to $4,000.00.
The city ordinance that relates to the dumping of refuse has not been amended and still carries a maximum penalty of $2,000.00. The attached ordinance would amend this section by increasing the maximum penalty to $4,000.00, as permitted by state law.
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Arturo G. Michel
City Attorney