Environmental Enforcement
The purpose of Comal County Environmental Enforcement is to ensure compliance with applicable health and safety regulations within Comal County. In general, Comal County responds to four types of Environmental Enforcement cases:
- Sanitation Nuisance (Health & Safety Code Chapter 341)
- Public Nuisance (Health & Safety Code Chapter 343)
- Litter (Health & Safety Code Chapter 365)
- On-Site Sewage Facilities (Health & Safety Code Chapter 366)
- Comal County Public Nuisance Abatement Order
Sanitation Nuisance (Health & Safety Code Chapter 341)
A sanitation nuisance can range from raw sewage to mosquitoes. When Comal County receives this type of complaint, an investigation begins as soon as possible. These types of complaints can have high risks to the health, safety and welfare of the general public. If we confirm a sanitation nuisance exists, the owner of the property receives a short period of time, typically 96 hours, to abate it. If satisfactory abatement is not reached within the specified timeframe, further enforcement action may occur, including filing a criminal complaint against the alleged violator.
To report a sanitation nuisance, please click here
Report Sanitation Nuisance
Public Nuisance (Health and Safety Code Chapter 343)
A public nuisance can range from high weeds to a dilapidated structure. When Comal County receives this type of complaint, an investigation typically begins the next day. If we confirm a public nuisance exists, the property owner typically receives 30 days to bring the property into compliance. If compliance is not reached within the specified timeframe, further enforcement action may occur, including the filing of a criminal complaint against the alleged violator.
To report a public nuisance, please click here
Report Public Nuisance
Litter (Health and Safety Code Chapter 365)
Litter can range from paper and rags to motor vehicles and car parts. When Comal County receives this type of complaint, an investigation typically begins the next day. If we confirm that litter exists, the property owner typically receives 30 days to bring the property into compliance. If that doesn’t happen within the specified timeframe, further enforcement action may occur, including the filing of a criminal complaint against the alleged violator.
To report litter, please click here
Report LitteringOn-Site Sewage Facilities (Health and Safety Code Chapter 366)
On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) violations can range from using an unpermitted OSSF to changing the use of a permitted OSSF. When Comal County receives this type of complaint, an investigation typically begins the next day. If we confirm that an OSSF violation exists, the property owner typically receives 30 days to bring the property into compliance. If that doesn’t happen within the specified timeframe, further enforcement may occur, including the filing of a criminal complaint against the alleged violator.
To report an OSSF violation, please click here
Report OSSF ViolationAdditional Information Related to Environmental Enforcement
Review the Comal County Enforcement Guidance Document related to short-term rental for existing single-family dwellings.
16th Annual TOWTRC Conference Presentation: Environmental Enforcement of Rules