2023-2024 Odessa City Guide Page 7 CityCommonly asked codes questions City staff provided the following list of answers to common questions from residents. Codes are enforced through the police department. What is the maximum height grass/weeds can be before it is in violation? Grass and weeds are in violation if exceeding ten (10) inches (2012 IPMC302.4) What am I responsible to mow? In addition to the lawn, you are responsible to mow all rights of way and easements included on your property, everything up to the street and everything back to the alleys. What is considered an inoperable vehicle? Any vehicle not currently licensed, or that has issues that cause it to be illegal to be driven on the street. Where may I park my vehicle? Vehicles are required to be parked on a paved surface. No vehicle may block any public sidewalk, extend into the street, or be parked on the grass. (OCDC 50-581) May I add a gravel driveway? If the original driveway was gravel and legally permitted at the time of installation, it would be legal. You may keep it provided you maintain it. However, you may not increase the size. New gravel driveways are not allowed. (OCDC 50-581) May I burn yard waste? Yes, ONLY yard waste may be burned (limbs, sticks, branches, etc). You must notify the Odessa Fire & Rescue Department first. You shall not burn on windy days, or if a burn ban is in place. Brush piles must be removed or properly disposed of. Do I need a permit to install a fence? A permit is required for any fence that is over three & one half (3 1/2) feet. Any fence over 3 1/2 feet shall not encroach into a required front yard setback. Fences may extend onto side yard setbacks on corner lots, provided that they set back from the right-of-way line at least eight (8) feet. (OCDC 50-581) Do I need a permit for a detached accessory building? If the building is more than one hundred twenty (120) square feet, a permit is required. (2006 IRC 105.2) How big may I build my accessory building? Main and accessory buildings shall not cover more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total lot area on interior lots and thirty percent (30%) on corner lots. Accessory buildings shall not cover more than twenty percent (20%) of the rear yard. (OCDC 50-545) Do I need a permit for building a deck? If the deck is going to be over thirty (30) inches above grade, a permit will be required. (2006 IRC 312.1) Do I need a permit for a swimming pool? Any swimming pool with a depth of twenty-four (24) inches requires a permit. Pools, hot tubs and spas containing water more than twenty-four (24) inches in depth, shall be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier at least forty-eight (48) inches in height. (2012 IPMC 303.2) How many layers of roofing material may I put on my house? The maximum allowable number of layers of roofing is two (2). (2006 IRC 907.3) The City of Odessa does require an ice shield to extend from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point at least twenty-four (24) inches inside the exterior wall line of the building. (OCDC 7.201) How many pets may I have? The maximum number is four (4). A kennel license is required for more than that. Operating a kennel is not allowed in a residential district. What work do I need a permit for? If you have this question for a particular project, please call the community development department and ask. Most minor projects do not need a permit. City staff also advises: •Always call DIG-RITE before beginning any excavation project. •Residential trash containers should be placed at the curb not more than 24 hours prior to scheduled collection and stored at the side or rear of property after pick- up. •Garage and yard sale signs shall not be placed on public utility/light poles. •Street address numbers must be in contrast with background, must be Arabic numerals at least 4 inches high and be visible from street.
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