Selling a House in Argyle: Septic Rules, Unsafe Buildings and Taxes

Houses on septic: Argyle's stricter local rules

Article 13.02 of the Town of Argyle code covers on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs) everywhere within the town's incorporated limits. The town enforces Health and Safety Code chapter 366 and Water Code chapters 7 and 37, adopts the state's rules in 30 TAC chapters 30 and 285, and in section 13.02.006 adds local rules it calls more stringent:

• Every OSSF requires a permit, regardless of lot size.
• A homeowner may not perform the maintenance activities listed in TAC 285.91(12) on his or her own system unless the homeowner is also registered with the TCEQ as an OSSF maintenance provider and works for a registered maintenance company, or holds a valid wastewater class D license and is certified by the manufacturer for that brand of system.
• TCEQ-registered maintenance companies, and homeowners authorized to do that maintenance, must register with the town and pay a processing fee every year.
• The town's designated representative may periodically inspect an aerobic system that the owner maintains directly, regardless of when the last inspection took place.

Section 13.02.009 lets anyone aggrieved by the designated representative's decision appeal to the town council. If you are selling a house on an aerobic system, gather the permit and maintenance records before you list or accept an offer.

Grass, the parkway and the drainage easement

Under section 6.02.003, weeds or grass may not grow higher than 12 inches anywhere on premises in town. The rule reaches the parkway between the sidewalk and the curb or pavement, the right-of-way between a fence or wall and the curb, and the area from a fence or wall into an abutting drainage channel easement, up to the top of the channel closest to the property.

Notice under section 6.02.005 can go to the owner in person, by letter to the address in the records of the appraisal district where the property is located, or, if personal service cannot be obtained, by publication, by posting at the front door, or on a placard if there is no building. A letter the Postal Service returns as refused or unclaimed still counts as delivered.

If the owner does not comply within seven days of the notice, section 6.02.006 lets the town do the work, and weeds over 48 inches that are an immediate danger can be abated right away. The cost becomes the owner's personal liability. The town can also file a lien statement with the county clerk; the lien carries ten percent interest from the date the town paid, is inferior only to tax liens and liens for street improvements, and the council may authorize a suit to foreclose it.

When a vacant house is declared unsafe

Article 3.10 of the Argyle code declares unsafe buildings public nuisances and has the building official enforce it. The process runs in steps:

1. The building official gives the responsible party written notice that identifies the conditions, the corrective measures and a reasonable time to comply, and sets a public hearing before the building code board of adjustment (section 3.10.004).
2. Notice of the hearing is served not less than ten days before it, and anyone interested may be heard (section 3.10.006).
3. If the building is found unsafe, the board may order it vacated, secured, repaired, removed or demolished within a reasonable time, and the town secretary notifies each mortgagee and lienholder it identifies if the owner does not act.
4. Once the board decides a building is unsafe, a notice reading "DANGEROUS. DO NOT ENTER. UNSAFE TO OCCUPY." is posted at each entrance until the work is done (section 3.10.009).

Separately, section 3.10.008 lets the town secure a building that violates minimum standards and is unoccupied or occupied only by people with no right of possession, with notice to the owner before the 11th day. The owner may request a hearing within 30 days after the building is secured, and the board must hold it within 20 days of the request.

Denton County deadlines Argyle owners should know

Tax bills

The Denton County tax office's property tax FAQ says bills are mailed in October, are due on receipt, and become delinquent if not paid on or before January 31 of the following year. A mailed payment must carry a U.S. Post Office postmark no later than January 31, and online payments count as timely if made by 11:59 p.m. central standard time that day. Not receiving a bill does not affect the validity of the tax, penalty or interest, the due date or the existence of a tax lien, citing Tax Code section 31.01(g). Real property accounts not paid in full by June 30 of the delinquent year are referred to the delinquent tax attorney with an added penalty equal to 15% to 20% of the total taxes, penalties and interest due. Payment questions go to the Property Tax office.

Appraisal protests

Denton Central Appraisal District's protest page sets the deadline at May 15 or 30 days after the notice was mailed, whichever is later. Tax Code section 41.44 has the protest filed with the appraisal review board.

Recorded liens and deeds

A town weed lien is filed with the county clerk, whose Recording Division keeps the county's real property records.

Working with Cash Home Advisors

You can sell your Argyle house as-is, without making repairs. We pay all closing costs and can close in 7–14 days. Get an offer, read how it works, or see selling a house that needs repairs and our post on the risks of a vacant rental.

Local offices for this area

• Denton County Property Tax
• Denton County property tax FAQ
• Denton Central Appraisal District: the protest process
• Denton County Clerk: Recording Division

ZIP codes we buy in: 76226