TXDOH Basic Code Enforcement Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What term describes the policy framework guiding land use decisions, transportation planning, and community facilities?
• Which city type typically requires a population threshold and citizen vote to adopt a home rule charter?
• According to section 683.001 of the texas transportation code, "abandoned Nuisance Vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is?
• What level of government regulation establishes a board of Adjustments?
• The ____ amendment prohibits generally the search and seizure of any property unless a warrant has been issued.
• Under sanitation code, if personal service cannot be obtained or the owner's post office address is unknown, the municipality may provide notice of violation in what form?
• What provides the best opportunity for systematically using volunteers in enforcement?
• What is probably cause?
• True or False: If an abandoned motor vehicle is not claimed, the owner or lien holder waives all rights and interests in the item.
• What is the minimum number of days for notice before removal of a public nuisance, as specified in the rule?
• How may a potential juror be excused from serving?
• When a home rule city brings an action against an owner of property not in substantial compliance with municipal ordinances regarding fire protection, structural integrity, zoning, and disposal of refuse, the case is filed in what court?
• In some definitions, an Abandoned Nuisance Vehicle is defined as having at least how many years of age?
• Under Dillon's Rule, which of the following is NOT a source of municipal power?
• In compliance with the comprehensive plan, zoning regulations are designed to?
• Name the two times of zoning?
• When a junk vehicle has been taken into custody, by what day must the owner be notified?
• Which local body must approve regulations of signs regarding content and use?
• A variance may be granted when obstruction is 'unnecessary hardship' and the variance is not contrary to public interest and the spirit of the ordinance is maintained. Which wording best captures the required conditions?
• According to the Local Government Code, a Board of Adjustment must consist of how many members?
• Which organization published the standard zoning enabling act?
• Which level of government establishes a Board of Adjustments?
• A comprehensive plan typically includes which four plan sections?
• Which Chapter is associated with district court actions in enforcement matters described?
• Which term describes a vehicle preserved for historic interest due to unfettered original specifications by a hobbyist?
• The ordinance must include what criteria to address vacation, relocation of occupants, securing, repair, removal, or demolition of a building?
• To be an 'abandoned Nuisance Vehicle' a motor vehicle must be in a condition only to be junked, crushed, or dismantled and must be at least _________ years old?
• A written order issued by a judge that directs a law enforcement officer to search a specific area for a particular piece of evidence is known as a(n)?
• Which enforcement body is most appropriate for engaging volunteers in enforcement activities within zoning?
• Which option lists the four plan sections included in a comprehensive plan?
• What is the term for a method that allows relief to property owners from strict zoning requirements while keeping the ordinance's intent intact?
• Which legal framework typically establishes a Board of Adjustments within a municipality?
• Who may file a verified petition challenging a Board of Adjustment decision?
• Under Local Government Code Chapter 214, actions by a home-rule municipality against owners not in substantial compliance concern what type of property?
• Enabling Legislation is defined as?
• A system for the public control of land use for the community good is called?
• What percent is the maximum rate for security on expenditures and liens obtained by a municipality?
• For notice in zoning amendments, what distance in feet must property owners be notified?
• To be an antique vehicle a passenger car or truck must be at least ____ years old?
• Which document section communicates to the public the guidelines and standards used in decision-making by the governing body and commissions?
• Which instrument governs the administration and enforcement of home occupations?
• Which combination of city and year reflects the first adoption of the Council-Manager form of government?
• True or False: The rule states that if the junk vehicle is not claimed, the owner forfeits all rights and interests in the vehicle.
• Who issues a search warrant?
• The BOA has exclusive jurisdiction over what three things?
• Most cities or towns become home rule charters at a population of _____, this is done by vote of the citizens.
• The state transportation code defines a person who is an owner or operator of a storage facility as a ?
• The state transportation code defines "department" as?
• Non-conforming uses can be categorized two ways. What are they?
• The city of Galveston Texas became the first city to officially adopt the commission form of government in what year?
• Regulations on sign content must consider protections under which constitutional amendment?
• Which of the following is NOT one of the four plan sections typically included in a comprehensive plan?
• Which body has exclusive jurisdiction over Variance, Special Exception, and Appeals from the decision of the administrative personnel?
• Of the following groups, which is the largest family that could occupy a 675 sq ft house under the stated housing code?
• To obtain a lien against the property where work has been done to bring the property into compliance, you must file a statement of expense with whom?
• The classification of signs that includes ground signs, pole signs, and wall signs is best described as?
• The _____ amendment ensures state governments do not discriminate in applying their laws to different individuals or groups of people.
• Subdivision regulations are commonly referred to as which of the following?
• What step can a community take to make the enforcement administration of a sign regulation efficient?
• Which concept originated with the maxim 'that kind can do no wrong'?
• In code enforcement, what is the primary goal of voluntary compliance?
• The immunity that protects building officials from liability for their discretionary acts is called?
• Which delivery method is listed as an acceptable alternative to personally delivering a junk vehicle notice?
• A ground-mounted sign would be classified as which type of sign?
• Who votes to establish a home rule charter when the population threshold is met?
• A municipality that adopts an ordinance under the Local Government Code may repair a building with 10 or fewer units to what extent?
• By how many days must the Transfer of Demolisher sheet for a junk vehicle abated by the city be forwarded to TX-DOT?
• Basically, subdivision regulations are?
• Regulations of signs must be approved by the city council with consideration of what constitutional provisions?
• What is the percentage rate that may be collected by the municipality for security on expenditures and liens?
• Which zoning concept involves creating a district in the ordinance text but not mapping it to specific parcels?
• Papers or documents filed when a city has taken action against a property; which stay with the property; and if someone purchases the property, the new owner still has to follow or pay the civil actions or liens placed on that property is known as?
• Police Power is the primary form of ______ enforcement?
• Before a home-rule city's council may adopt a general zoning scheme, the city must?
• What is the process of terminating nonconformance on the basis of a time schedule that has been prescribed by the zoning board of adjustments?
• A municipality shall impose a lien against the land on which a building stands or stood unless it has a ______ as protection by the Texas Constitution.
• To which agency must the Transfer of Demolisher sheet be sent after abating a junk vehicle?
• Identify the two codes primarily involved in the housing rehabilitation process.
• True or False: A person aggrieved by a decision, taxpayer, an officer, department, Board or Bureau of a municipality may all present to a court of record a verified petition stating that the decision of the Board of Adjustment is illegal in the whole or in part and specifying the grounds of illegality.
• What is the minimum notice period required for the removal of a public nuisance (junk vehicle)?
• To obtain a lien for work done to bring a property into compliance, with whom must the mayor file a statement of expense?
• Which officials may use the warrant procedure to obtain a search warrant?
• Which term describes local cities with the power to pass their own laws derived from State legislation?
• Zoning regulations commonly address which aspects of buildings and sites?
• What is the least desirable form of persuasiveness for a code enforcement officer?
• A municipal corporation has only those powers which are expressly granted to it by charter or legislation, implied or necessarily incident to the express powers and essential and indispensable to the declared objects and purposes of the corporation in regards to city powers is known as?
• Which section of the comprehensive plan tells the average citizen what guidelines, principles, and standards the governing body and the planning and Zoning commissions will apply in making decisions?
• Search warrants can only be issued to how many code officials?
• ______ is mostly non-putrescible wastes including debris, tin cans, bottles, paper, grass and weed cuttings, paper boxes, short and light wood building material.
• The standard zoning enabling act of the U.S. Department of Commerce was published in what year?
• Under the housing code, how are children aged 1 year to under 12 counted in space calculations?
• Zoning based on the right to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare is known as?
• Under the housing code, the minimum living space for the first occupant is how many square feet?
• What is the most common limitation of signs?
• Sign regulations are grouped in what classifications?
• An abandoned motor vehicle is considered inoperable if it is more than 5 years old and has been left unattended on public property for more than how many hours?
• Which of the following is not typically listed as a land use category in a zoning ordinance?
• The ___ amendment provides for individuals' right to freedom of speech.
• What component of a comprehensive plan identifies the best location for residential, commercial, and industrial sites within a city?
• Under General Law, can a city change its laws independently of state legislation?
• Motor Vehicle Demolisher" means a person in the business of?
• Which of the following is a component guaranteed by due process?
• What term describes a motor vehicle that is of ANY age and has not been altered from its original manufacturer specifications, preserved by a hobbyist for historic interest?
• Which term describes a legally binding promise recorded in relation to property?
• What is Dillon's Rule?
• What procedural standard may a fire marshal or health official use to obtain a search warrant?
• Signs are generally regulated by which authority?
• A general law city?
• What term describes private multiparty contracts created for the benefit of residents of a subdivision?
• When amending a zoning scheme, within how many feet do you notify property owners?
• The Village of Euclid vs. Amber Realty Co. was a U.S. Supreme Court case concerning zoning and happened in what year?
• Land use that predates the current zoning ordinance and violates the current zoning ordinance is known as?
• Which example describes a wall sign?
• Weeds means all rank and uncultivated vegetable growth or matter that has grown more than ______ in height.
• In which court is a case filed when a home-rule city sues an owner for noncompliance with municipal ordinances on fire protection, structural integrity, zoning, or disposal of refuse?
• If a hearing is requested for a junk vehicle, the hearing cannot occur earlier than how many days after service of the notice?
• Which term describes the traditional zoning approach that divides land into separate use districts such as residential, commercial, and industrial?
• Which statement best describes the scope of Dillon's Rule in determining municipal authority?
• If a HUD manufactured home request is denied, the applicant must be informed within how many days?
• Zoning regulations as outlined in Local Government Code 211.003 include what type of regulation?
• Absolute Immunity is defined as which of the following?
• A motor vehicle not changed from its original manufacturer specifications because of its historic interest and preserved by a hobbyist can be a Special Interest Vehicle. This statement is:
• What is a method by which a municipality can recoup costs after enforcement actions for a structure?
• Which term best describes the designation of a person responsible for storage facilities under state law?
• The body empowered to grant a variance from certain provisions in the zoning ordinance when literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship is known as the?
• Which of the following is NOT one of the two basic types of signs?
• The zoning term used for a zoning technique where a municipality adopts a district in the text of its zoning ordinance but does not map it?
• Which cities operate under state legislation (state laws) without changing those laws?
• A lien filled with statement of expenses for removing weeds, rubbish, brush and other objectionable, unsightly or unsanitary matter to bring a property into compliance is only inferior to what other liens?
• Under Dillon's Rule, municipal governments only have the powers that are:
• The First Amendment must be considered by the city council when regulating signs, especially regarding the content and commercial or non-commercial use. Which amendment must be considered?
• Which is an argument against home occupations?
• Zoning changes on small tracts of land within areas of similar land uses are associated with which concept?
• Which Texas city was the first to adopt the commission form of government?
• Which mechanism aligns with the principle that municipalities should operate within powers granted by the state?
• _______ establishes the minimum standards essential for safe, sanitary and fit human habitation by governing use, maintenance and occupancy of existing building?
• What is the primary purpose of a Lis Pendens in real estate terms?
• If a municipality incurs expenses to vacate, secure, repair remove or demolish a structure how may the city recoup its money?
• Search Warrants have an execution date of how many whole days exclusive of the day of its issuance and its execution?
• A board of adjustments is established by what level of government regulation?
• The evidence given by a witness under oath which does not include evidence from documents and other physical evidence is known as?
• The maxim 'that kind can do no wrong' is associated with which doctrine?
• A judicial order ordering a specific conduct or act to stop, either permanently or temporarily is known as?
• If a property is subject to a Lis Pendens and is sold to a new owner, what must the new owner do?
• On what date did mobile homes convert to HUD-Code Manufactured Homes?
• Which term describes the set of guidelines, principles, and standards that guide decisions in zoning and planning?
• What is associated with zoning changes of small tracts of land within an area of otherwise similar land uses?
• Years ago the state did away with the $2 disposal charge of tires and replaced it with a battery fee. What is the amount of that fee?
• A phrase used to denote a hypothetical person who exersizes qualities of attention, knowledge, intelligence, and judgement that society requires of its member for the protection of their own interest and the interest of others is known as a (n)???
• Which doctrine concerns whether the state or federal government can be sued?
• As provided in Local Government Code, Chapter 214, a home-rule municipality may bring an action in district court against an owner of residential property that is not in substantial compliance with the municipal ordinance regarding?
• The two codes involved in housing rehabilitation address which aspects?
• In sign regulation, which aspects must be considered under the First Amendment?
• The two most basic types of signs are?
• The most desirable method of code enforcement is by means of which approach?
• Which immunity describes the government being immune from lawsuits unless it gives its consent?
• What is the minimum age of a vehicle to be considered an antique Auto?
• Zoning regulates what?
• An antique Auto is defined as a passenger car or truck that is at least how many years old?
• The Council-Manager form of government was adopted in Dayton, Ohio in which year?
• Sovereign immunity refers to which concept?
• The standard used to determine whether a person’s actions were appropriate under ordinary circumstances is called the
• The right of all persons to receive the guarantees and safeguards of the law and the judicial process, including such constitutional requirements as adequate notice, assistance of counsel, and the right to remain silent, to a speedy trial, to an impartial jury, and to confront and secure witnesses is known as?
• Under Local Regulation on Sanitation, if personal service cannot be obtained or the owner's post office address is unknown, which form may be used to provide notice of a violation?
• Identify the two codes primarily involved in the house rehabilitation process.
• Who must be notified if an abandoned vehicle has remained on the property for more than 48 hours?
• What governs the administration and enforcement of home occupations?
• Absolute Immunity explicitly protects building officials from liability for which type of acts?
• Changes in land use classification are associated with which zoning change concept?
• Which city and year correspond to the earliest adoption of the Council-Manager form of government?
• What land use areas are typically listed in a zoning ordinance?
• Which item is not listed as part of the non-putrescible waste example?
• What is a promise by one person to another do, or refrain from doing a particular act known as?
• In municipal zoning, what does the term 'home rule' refer to?
• The definition of Venire is?
• A municipality may impose a lien against the land on which a building stands or stood to recover payment of repair removal or demolish expenses unless what condition exists?
• Which option correctly lists two types of zoning?
• The procedure to obtain a search warrant is known as what?
• Under the housing code, how many square feet are required for each additional occupant aged 12 or older?