FAQs
Alarm permits can be registered / purchased online at https://www.crywolfservices.com/desototx/
Senior Citizens are subject to fines and fees resulting from false alarms.
A microchip is a permanent form of identification, as long the chip is registered, and the registration is kept up to date. The registration information will be filled out prior to leaving with the pet and the shelter will mail it in to the company.
The goal of requiring the pets to be microchipped is twofold:
Increase the number of pets that are reunited with their owners, and
Increase the responsibility of pet owners who continue to allow their pets to run at large.
If you have any questions about microchips, please feel free to contact the shelter.
The Certificate of Occupancy must be posted in a prominent place on the premises and shall not be removed except by the building official. A new Certificate of Occupancy is required when ownership changes or a new business occupies the premises.
1. The building must be unlocked at the time of inspection. It is not required that someone is present as long as access to the space is available.
2. The address number, including suite numbers, must be posted on the front and back of the building. Address numbers must also be posted on the electric meter and gas meter.
3. All required exit doors must be able to be opened without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort from the egress side.
4. Appropriate exit signs must be in place and code compliant.
5. No open electrical wiring is allowed. All junction boxes, outlets and switches must have covers in place. Breaker panels must be labeled and contain circuit breakers or blanks in each breaker position.
6. Area around equipment and electrical panels must be kept clear for a distance of 36 inches.
7. Parking lots must contain the number of spaces required by the City of DeSoto Zoning Ordinance, including a minimum of one van-accessible parking space, with appropriate signage, and wheelchair curb ramp.
8. All plumbing drain openings without an approved P-trap must be plugged or capped in a permanent condition.
9. Restaurants using fryers require a Type I hood with an automatic fire extinguishing system and must be inspected prior to the release of the Certificate of Occupancy.
10. Sprinkler heads that are a component of a required automatic sprinkler system are not to be painted, obstructed, or used for support of any decorative material. An 18-inch clearance must be maintained between any storage and a sprinkler head.
11. Fire Lanes must be clearly striped: 6-inch red stripe with 4-inch letters stating “No Parking Fire Lane”, as approved by the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Action Center
City of DeSoto
211 East Pleasant Run Road
DeSoto, Texas 75115.
Claims may also be faxed to 972.230.5793.
Note: The City Charter mandates that a claim must be filed with the City within 180 days of the date of loss. The City is not permitted to accept claims for losses more than 180 days old.
The property owner is responsible for maintaining any adjoining alleyway or utility easement (to the center line).
Yes, address numbers must be on the structure and be plainly legible and visible from the street. These numbers must be three inches in height and contrast with their background. If you have a rear entry way the numbers must be placed in the back in a conspicuous place so that they are visible from the alley or rear entrance. Easily legible numbers are essential for rapid response of emergency personnel.
No. A Notice of Violation is issued one time annually. Thereafter, should the owner not correct the violation, the city can have the property mowed at the owner’s expense. A $150 Administrative fee will be assessed, and an invoice will be issued for payment. If the invoice is not paid within a 60-day time period, a lien will be placed against the property, and filed in Dallas County.
A Notice of Violation is issued one time annually. Thereafter, should the owner not abate the violation, a citation can be issued and the violation can be abated by the City of DeSoto at the owner’s expense.
Email Carmen Humble at CHumble@desototexas.gov or call 469-658-3077. Please allow 10-days for processing.
No. That is a civil matter. The City enforces trees that are in violation and overhang city property.
- Decrease possible discrimination against applicants who may have a criminal history.
- Encourage applications from more people
- Encourage employers to assess qualifications before exploring criminal history backgrounds
There were several steps taken to collect input and distribute information:
DeSoto Municipal Court
211 E. Pleasant Run Road,
DeSoto, TX 75115
972.230.9674
On the phone:
1.800.444.1187 Or online here
STEP 1: Determine the need for the association. To do so, host an informal meeting with your neighbors to see if there is a real interest in or need for the association. While it is optimum for 100% of area residents to attend the initial meeting, it is not imperative that they be present at that time. This first meeting could be among just a few or all of your neighbors.
STEP 2: Check with the Dallas County Clerk’s Office to see if the developer has filed a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions for your subdivision. You can reach the Dallas County Clerk’s Office at 214.653.7275, or at 509 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Dallas, Texas.
STEP 3: Contact Community Initiatives Manager, Tracie Hlavinka, at 972.230.9689. Tracie can schedule a meeting with your neighbors to clarify the necessary steps and the benefits of organizing an HOA.
STEP 4: Create bylaws and articles of incorporation to bring for consideration by all your members. Bylaws establish the procedures for the operation of the association. They create HOA rules for voting, financing, and control procedures. The articles of incorporation actually create a corporation if the association chooses to become incorporated.
Need a guideline for bylaws? Download this file_____
Need a guideline for articles of incorporation?
Download this file_____
STEP 5: Once the articles of incorporation are complete, send two (2) copies and the $25 filing fee to the Secretary of State, Corporate Section, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, Texas 78711. Their phone number is 512.463.5555.
1. Residents or owners of real or personal property in the City of DeSoto, Texas.
2. Employees of the City of DeSoto, Texas.
3. TexShare card holders.
4. Desoto school teachers.
5. Residents of Cedar Hill, Texas.
Library cards are available for a fee per household to those not in the above categories. You only need a card to check out materials. Fees are $15.00 for one year.
211 E. Pleasant Run Road,
DeSoto, TX 75115
972.230.9674
Or you can pay online. Please be aware that paying online constitutes a plea of guilty. Pay online here
Get the violation corrected within ten (10) working days from the date of your citation and provide proof to the effect.
The proof of correction of Expired Registration must show that a 20% penalty was paid to the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time the registration was renewed. If the penalty is not paid, the Court cannot dismiss the citation.
The proof of Expired Inspection must show the vehicle PASSED the inspection.
If the inspection or registration has been expired for more than 60 days you may pay the fine or request a court date.
No Drivers License or No Liability Insurance may be dismissed with proof that you had a valid license or insurance policy at the time of the offense.
The process for initiating an HOA does not have to be intimidating, but some organized steps should be used.
STEP 1: Determine the need for the association. To do so, host an informal meeting with your neighbors to see if there is a real interest in or need for the association. While it is optimum for 100% of area residents to attend the initial meeting, it is not imperative that they be present at that time. This first meeting could be among just a few or all of your neighbors.
STEP 2: Check with the Dallas County Clerk’s Office to see if the developer has filed a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions for your subdivision. You can reach the Dallas County Clerk’s Office at 214.653.7275, or at 509 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Dallas, Texas.
STEP 3: Contact the City Manager’s Office at 972.230.9643 to schedule a meeting with your neighbors to clarify the necessary steps and the benefits of organizing an HOA.
STEP 4: Create bylaws and articles of incorporation to bring for consideration by all your members. Bylaws establish the procedures for the operation of the association. They create HOA rules for voting, financing, and control procedures. The articles of incorporation actually create a corporation if the association chooses to become incorporated. Need a guideline for bylaws? Need a guideline for articles of incorporation?
STEP 5: Once the articles of incorporation are complete, send two (2) copies and the $25 filing fee to the Secretary of State, Corporate Section, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, Texas 78711. Their phone number is 512.463.5555.
for Your Neighborhood Association
Neighborhood Associations with gross receipts of $5,000 or less per year are not required to file form 1023. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of I.R.S. section 501(c)(3).
File your neighborhood association's Articles of Incorporation with the State.- Obtain an Employer Identification Number.
- File I.R.S. Forms 1023 & 8718 with appropriate fees.
- Receive Tax-Exempt Status from the I.R.S.? (average turnaround time from the time all necessary documents are filed is 100 days)
- File for State Sales Tax Exemption.
- Make I.R.S. suggested corrections.
- File for State Franchise Tax Exemption.
- Re-File
Important Facts about Tax-Exempt Status
Your Neighborhood Association may obtain tax-exempt status if:
It is incorporated by the State as a nonprofit corporation and organized solely for charitable purposes.
This includes organizations dedicated to:
- Correct community deterioration
- Combat juvenile delinquency
- Lessen neighborhood tensions
In order to keep your Association tax-exempt status, you must ensure that:
- All assets are permanently dedicated to an exempt purpose. This means that, even upon assets of the corporation may to exempt purposes or groups. Dissolution of the group and all assets must be used or donated, no part of the net earnings or
- Be used for the benefit of, or be distributed to, the members or officers.
- No portion of the corporation’s assets or funds may be used to influence legislation, promote propaganda, or benefit specific political candidates.
a. When a person has a complaint against a police department employee (sworn or civilian), the complaint may be filed in person, by telephone, online submittal, or by completing the citizen compliment / complaint form and sending it to the Internal Affairs Division. This form is available at the front desk or on the DeSoto Police Department website.
b. Texas law (Gov. Code 614.022-.23) requires that anyone filing a complaint against a sworn police officer must have the complaint signed by the complainant and presented to the officer.
c. Your complaint can be taken by any employee of the police department.
§ 614.022. COMPLAINT TO BE IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY COMPLAINANT.
To be considered by the head of a state agency or by the head of a fire department or local law enforcement agency, the complaint must be:
i. in writing; and
ii. signed by the person making the complaint
b. § 614.023. COPY OF COMPLAINT TO BE GIVEN TO OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE.
(a) A copy of a signed complaint against a law enforcement officer of this state or a fire fighter, detention officer, county jailer, or peace officer appointed or employed by a political subdivision of this state shall be given to the officer or employee within a reasonable time after the complaint is filed.
(b) Disciplinary action may not be taken against the officer or employee unless a copy of the signed complaint is given to the officer or employee.
P. O. Box 4142, Austin, Texas 78765. The telephone number is 512.424.7252.
You may also obtain criminal records by contacting the Dallas County District Clerk’s Office. For misdemeanor record checks, call 214-653-5740. For felony record checks, call 214-653-5950.
Other services include: Certifying Reports is $2.00.
If the request is over 50 pages personnel charges of $15.00 an hour and overhead charges of $3.00 an hour will be charged. Copies cost .10 cents a page.
Purchase Reports Online
Alarm permits can be obtained and paid for at DeSoto City Hall located at 211 E. Pleasant Run. The annual fee for a residential alarm is $35. Commercial alarms are $65. More Information
For bids less than $50,000.00, City of Desoto staff obtains written or telephone quotes by contacting at least three vendors. In accordance with Texas Government Code 791.001, City has the option of purchasing products that are on State of Texas or cooperative purchasing contracts. publicpurchase.com
Purchase prices of between $1,001.00 - $3,000.00: At least three (3) competitive written bids required; use of purchase order is optional.
Purchase prices of between $3,001 - $49,999.00: At least three (3) competitive written bids required; use of purchase order is required.
Purchase prices over $50,000: Sealed bidding or request for proposal process requiring Council approval and advertising in newspapers. This provision does not apply to professional services and other services exempted by law from competitive solicitation.
Some exceptions may apply to the above bidding thresholds.
Sealed bids or proposals are identified by marking the outside envelope “Sealed Bid” or “Proposal”. It is up to the vendor to ensure that bids/proposals are turned in on time. City of Desoto assumes no responsibility for delays caused by a courier, U.S. Post Office or any other form of delivery. No allowances are made for late bids.
Street Department crews will monitor rain when forecast calls for bad weather. Weather will be monitored until the threat of flooding is no longer. We do NOT do preventive sandbagging.
Sand bags are available at Wiseman's, Home Depot and Lowes.
for a green light. The cameras are not able to take pictures and are not monitored. They are not red light cameras.
In the summer and early fall, algae in area lakes occasionally gives water an earthy taste and odor. A rotten egg smell typically occurs from a lack of oxygen in the natural or man-made reservoir storing water before it is treated. It is caused by bacterial decomposition of algae and organisms, which, when no oxygen is present, produces hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide emits a rotten egg smell.
When the naturally formed scale on the interior of the piping system is disturbed, and when turbulence with the water happens, some water discoloration may occur for several hours. The white discoloration of water usually means air is entrapped in the water. Running your faucets can usually eliminate white discoloration. If discoloration continues for an extended period of time, please notify the City of DeSoto Water/Wastewater Department. Please refer to our Taste & Odors page. Taste & Odors
If you experience a sewer backup, you will need to know if you have a cleanout in your yard. A cleanout is a 4” pipe that protrudes from the ground near your home. A cleanout is an entrance to your sewer line that City staff can use to flush any blockages from your sewer line into the sewer main. If you do not have a cleanout in your yard, you will need to contact a plumber for assistance. Please refer to our Sewer Backup page. Sewer Backups
Water main breaks are a serious problem and require immediate attention by our maintenance crews. If you notice water bubbling up through the ground, a wet area appearing during dry weather, or a loss of water pressure within a service area, please notify the City of DeSoto Water/Wastewater Department. Please refer to our Water Main Breaks page. Water Main Breaks
- Work is being performed on the water main in the area and city crews have it shut off.
- There is a water main break in the area and the resulting pressure loss is because of it.
- The shut off valve at the meter is not completely open. If you have had your water shut off recently, your valve may not have been completely turned back on. Please contact our Meter Services department for assistance at 972.230.9627 and press “7”.
- The service line to the meter is partially crimped.
- The meter filter may be partially clogged.
As a result of the flushing procedure, residents in the immediate vicinity of the work area may experience temporary discoloration of their water. This discoloration consists primarily of harmless silt and precipitates and does not affect the safety of the water.
If you experience discoloration in your water after crews have been flushing in your neighborhood, clear the pipes in your own home by running all water faucets for a minute or two. Please refer to our Fire Hydrant Flushing page for more information. Fire Hydrant Flushing
If you are having problems finding the correct zoning for a particular parcel of land, please contact (972)-230-9622 for more information. It is helpful if you have the address and/or legal description of the property.
- Submit a change of zoning application to the Planning & Zoning Division. The application must include a description of the property to be rezoned (site plan, legal description, metes & bounds), applicable fee, and zoning request (current zoning and change being requested).
- Staff will then review the request, and subsequently publish the appropriate public hearing notices for both the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission and City Council (public hearings are required for zoning change requests). Letters will also be sent out to every property owner within 200 feet of the property in question notifying property owners of the request.
- P&Z Commission meets are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month and City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month (unless otherwise posted).
- The zoning change request is then considered by the P&Z Commission and a recommendation is made to the City Council to grant, deny or grant the request with modifications. If the P&Z Commission feels they do not have enough information to consider the request, they have the option to postpone or table the item to allow for additional information to be furnished.
- Finally, the City Council will consider the zoning change request to grant, deny or grant the request with modifications. Zoning Change Application
There are a number of steps in platting property. These steps include:
If utilities are required, then detailed construction plans must be submitted to the Engineering Division for approval before the preliminary plat application can be submitted to the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Division. Once construction plans have been approved, the developer must submit preliminary plat application to the P&Z Division. The application must include the preliminary plat copies, applicable fee and tax certificates from Dallas County.
Next, the Development Review Committee (DRC) reviews the preliminary plat for site-specific issues such as utility and fire access, drainage, lot configuration and conformance to zoning regulations. When the concerns of DRC have been addressed, staff will notify the applicant to provide copies of plats for the P&Z Commission packets.
Planning and Zoning meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month and City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month (unless otherwise posted).
The preliminary plat is then considered by the P&Z Commission for a recommendation to City Council to approve, deny or approve the preliminary plat with modifications.
Once the P&Z Commission has made a recommendation, the City Council then takes action to approve, deny or approve the preliminary plat with modifications. If the preliminary plat is approved by City Council the developer can begin construction of the infrastructure. When the infrastructure is complete and approved by the Engineering Division, the developer can submit the final plat application to the P&Z Division. The application submittal must include the final plat copies, applicable fee, and tax certificates from Dallas County.
Then DRC will review the final plat. When the concerns of DRC have been addressed, staff will notify the applicant to provide copies of plats for the P&Z Commission packets. The final plat is considered by the P&Z Commission through a regular hearing to approve, deny or approve the final plat with modifications.
If the final plat is approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission, the developer can provide the P&Z Division with plat copies and fees for recording the plat with Dallas County. Once the final plat has been recorded with Dallas County, the developer can apply for a building permit with the Building Inspections Division.