Substandard Structure Repair Assistance Program

Substandard Structure Repair Assistance Program

Purpose

The purpose of this program is protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Waxahachie by providing assistance with bringing inhabited structures up to the City’s minimum standards, as defined by Chapter 8 Article XII of the Waxahachie Code of Ordinances. 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a residential property within the City of Waxahachie.
  • The property owner of record must reside at the residence to make application for the program (Applicant must provide proof of residency including utility bills, mortgage statements, property tax bill, etc.) 
  • Property owners are only eligible to participate in the program every two years. 

Qualifying Repairs

  • The property owner must establish that the application is being made for a qualifying repair; please reference the attached Exhibit A for a list of qualifying repairs. 
  • Qualifying Repairs generally include, but are not limited to, structural framing, roofing, plumbing, electrical heating and air conditioning. 

Reimbursement and Payment Procedure

  • The City will reimburse the property owner up to $1,500 toward the cost of the repairs.
  • The program is on a first come first serve basis and is subject to available funding; however, priority will be based on severity of the substandard structure repair.
  • The Property Owner must register as a vendor with the City in order to receive payment.  The following two forms must be completed upon approval of application and before payment can be remitted:
    • W-9 Form
    • Vendor Registration Form
  • The property owner will need to submit receipts for the work to the Building and Community Services Department once the work is complete, inspected and approved by the City.
  • Property Owner will receive a check for the reimbursement.  The property owner may choose to have the check mailed or may pick up the check at the City of Waxahachie Utility Billing Department with a photo ID.

Application Steps

  • Property owner completes the application.  Applications can be found at the Building and Community Services or click here.
  • The property owner must provide a quote/scope of work detailing the repairs
  • The City reserves the right to request additional quotes for the proposed scope of work, or reject an application if the estimated cost to perform the service is determined by the City to be unreasonable. 
  • Building and Community Services staff will review the application to determine eligibility based on applicability of the Substandard Structures Ordinance of the City of Waxahachie (Article XIII, Substandard Structures). 
  • Applicant is notified once they are approved or denied.  If denied, the reason will be included in writing on the application. 
  • Repairs must be performed by a contractor registered with the City of Waxahachie Building and Community Services Department. 
  • After the Property Owner selects a contractor, Building and Community Services staff will review and approve the scope of work. 
  • The contract must complete the work within 60 days of approval.
  • If the work will exceed 60 days, the contractor must provide a detailed work schedule for City approval.
  • The contractor must complete all required permits and inspections required by the City of Waxahachie.  Permit fees will be waived for this program.  

Exhibit A

  • Generally. Any building or portion thereof which is determined to be an unsafe building in accordance with the building code, or any building or portion thereof, including any dwelling unit, guest room or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the conditions referenced below to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the public or the occupants thereof, shall be deemed to be substandard.
  • Inadequate sanitation. Buildings or portions thereof shall be deemed substandard when they are unsanitary. Inadequate sanitation shall include but not be limited to the following:
    • Lack of or improper water closet, lavatory, bathtub, or shower.
    • Lack of or improper kitchen sink in a dwelling unit.
    • Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures.
    • Lack of adequate heating facilities.
    • Lack of or improper operation of required ventilating equipment.
    • Lack of minimum amounts of natural light and ventilation required by codes.
    • Room and space dimensions less than required by codes.
    • Lack of required electrical lighting.
    • Dampness of habitable rooms.
    • Infestation by vermin (insects, rodents, etc.).
    • General dilapidation or improper maintenance.
    • Lack of or inadequate connection to required sewage disposal system.
    • Lack of adequate garbage and rubbish storage and removal facilities.
    • Partial destruction or damage by fire unrepaired for more than ninety (90) days.
  • Structural hazards. Buildings or portions thereof shall be deemed substandard when they are or contain structural hazards. Structural hazards shall include but not be limited to the following:
    • Deteriorated or inadequate foundation;
    • Defective or deteriorated flooring or floor supports;
    • Flooring or floor supports of insufficient size to carry imposed load with safety;
    • Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that split, lean, list or buckle due to defective material or deterioration;
    • Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety;
    • Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports, or other horizontal members which sag, split or buckle due to defective material or deterioration;
    • Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports, or other horizontal members that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety;
    • Fireplaces or chimneys which tilt, bulge, or settle due to defective material or deterioration;
    • Fireplaces or chimneys which are of insufficient size or strength to carry imposed loads with safety;
    • Heating flues and exhausts which tilt, bulge, or settle due to defective material or deterioration.
  • Hazardous electrical wiring. Electrical wiring which was installed in violation of code requirements in effect at the time of installation or electrical wiring not installed in accordance with generally accepted construction practices in areas where no codes were in effect or which has not been maintained in good condition, or which is not being used in a safe manner shall be considered substandard.
  • Hazardous plumbing. Plumbing which was installed in violation of code requirements in effect at the time of installation or plumbing not installed in accordance with generally accepted construction practices in areas where no codes were in effect or which has not been maintained in good condition, or which is not free of cross-connections or siphonage between fixtures shall be considered substandard.
  • Hazardous mechanical. Mechanical equipment which was installed in violation of code requirements in effect at the time of installation, or mechanical equipment not installed in accordance with generally accepted construction practices in areas where no codes were in effect or which has not been maintained in good and safe condition shall be considered substandard.
  • Faulty weather protection. Buildings or portions thereof shall be considered substandard when they have faulty weather protection which shall include but not be limited to the following:
    • Deteriorated, crumbling, or loose plaster.
    • Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roof, foundations or floors, including broken windows or doors.
    • Defective or lack of weather protection for exterior wall coverings (eg: lack of paint, weathering due to lack of paint or lack of other approved protective covering).
    • Broken, rotted, missing, split or buckled exterior walls, wall coverings, or roof coverings.
  • Fire hazards. Any building or portion thereof, device, apparatus, equipment, combustible waste or vegetation which, in the opinion of the director, is in such a condition as to cause a fire or explosion or provide a ready fuel to augment the spread and intensity of fire or explosion arising from any cause shall be considered a substandard building.
  • Faulty materials of construction. The use of materials of construction except those which are specifically allowed or approved by the building code shall cause a building to be substandard.
  • Inadequate exits. Except for those buildings or portions thereof which have been provided with adequate exit facilities conforming to the provisions of this code, buildings or portions thereof whose exit facilities were installed in violation of code requirements in effect at the time of their construction or whose exit facilities have not been increased in number or width in relation to any increase in occupant load due to alterations, additions or change in use or occupancy subsequent to the time of construction shall be considered substandard. Notwithstanding compliance with code requirements in effect at the time of their construction, buildings or portions thereof shall be considered substandard when the director finds that an unsafe condition exists through an improper location of exits, or a lack of an adequate number or width of exit, or when other conditions exist which are dangerous to human life.

 

For questions, please contact 469-309-4020. Questions and additional support documentation can also be sent to bcservices@waxahachie.com.