Friendswood City Zoning Code

A.

The director shall administer and enforce this appendix. If the director shall find that any of the provisions of this appendix are being violated, he shall notify in writing the person responsible for such violation, indicating the nature of the violation and ordering the action necessary to correct it. He shall order discontinuance of illegal use of land, buildings, and structures; removal of illegal buildings or structures or illegal additions, alterations or structural changes; discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take any other action authorized by this appendix to ensure compliance with or to prevent violation of its provisions.

B.

It is the intent of this section that all questions of interpretation and enforcement shall be first presented to the director and that such questions shall be presented to the board of adjustment only on appeal from the decision of the director.

C.

It is further the intent of this section that the duties of the city council in connection with this appendix shall not include hearing and deciding questions of interpretation and enforcement that may arise. The procedure for deciding such questions shall be as stated in this section and this appendix. Under this appendix, the city council shall have only the duties of considering and adopting or rejecting proposed amendments or the repeal of this appendix, as provided by law, and of establishing a schedule of fees and charges as stated in section 14.

D.

Whenever a violation of this appendix occurs, or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a written complaint; such complaint stating fully the causes and basis thereof shall be filed with the director. He shall record properly such complaint, immediately investigate the same at the earliest reasonable time, and take action thereon as provided by this appendix.

E.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this appendix or who fails to comply therewith or with any of the requirements thereof, including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants of variances or specific uses, or who erects or alters any structure, or who commences to erect or alter any structure in violation of any detail statement of plan submitted or approved thereunder, shall for each and every violation or noncompliance be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. The owners of a building, structure, or premises, or part thereof, where anything in violation of this appendix be placed or shall exist, and any architect, builder, contractor, agent or corporation employed in connection therewith who may have assisted in the commission of any such violation, shall be guilty of a separate offense and, upon conviction, shall be subject to the penalties as provided in section 1-14 of the code.

(Ord. No. 2026-15, § 2(Exh. A), 5-4-2026)