OR 2025-1623 Charity housing1
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-1623
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS,
AMENDING CHAPTER 9 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY
AMENDING CHAPTER 9 ‘GENERAL REGULATIONS’, TO ADD
ARTICLE 9-30, CHARITY HOUSE OR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING;
PROVIDING FOR REGULATIONS FOR THE REGISTRATION AND USE
OF CHARITY OR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING; PROVIDING FOR
DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR INSPECTIONS; PROVIDING FOR
RESTRICTIONS; PROVIDING FOR NEIGHBORHOOD
NOTIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES;
PROVIDING FEES; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING
A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Coppell, Texas previously adopted an ordinance regarding
Charity Houses and Transitional Housing; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that regulations needed are intended to
protect the public health, safety, morals and general welfare.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF COPPELL,
TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1. That Chapter 9, General Regulations, of the Code of Ordinances is hereby
amended by adding Article 9-30, Charity House and Transitional Housing which shall read as
follows:
“CHAPTER 9, GENERAL REGULATIONS
. . . . .
ARTICLE 9-30 Charity House and Transitional Housing
Sec. 9-30-1. - Purpose and applicability.
The purpose of this division is to establish regulations for the registration and use of charity
houses and transitional housing. The requirements of this division apply only to the
regulation of charity houses and transitional housing, as defined herein, in accordance with
the city's Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 12 of Code of Ordinances.
2
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
Sec. 9-30-2. - Definitions.
Advertise means the written, audio, oral or other methods of drawing the public's
attention whether by brochure, written literature or on-line posting to a Charity House and
Transitional Housing in order to promote the availability of the Charity House and
Transitional Housing.
Charity House and Transitional Housing is defined in Chapter 12, Article 12-42 of the
Code of Ordinances.
Charity house permit means a permit issued by the city that allows a person, firm,
corporation and those acting in concert with such lawfully rent or offer to rent to a guest.
Dwelling means a building that contains one or two dwelling units used, intended or
designed to be used, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied for living purposes.
Dwelling unit means a single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for
one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking
and sanitation.
Guest means a person who pays, gives or receives a benefit or thing of value to another
in exchange for the use of dwelling, premises or a portion thereof regulated under this
article for use of a residential dwelling, premises or portion thereof for the privilege to use
a charity house and transitional housing and/or person's invitees for use of such dwelling,
premises or portion.
Guest room. A room or part thereof used or intended to be used by one or more guests
for living or overnight sleeping purposes
Host means the person, firm, corporation, partnership or association, assigned the duty
and responsibility by the owner to manage or offer a residence for a charity house or
transitional housing.
Local emergency contact means an individual other than the applicant, who resides
within 20 miles of the subject property, and who is designated by the owner/applicant to
act as the owner's authorized agent if the owner has traveled outside of the immediate area
or is otherwise unavailable. The local emergency contact should be reachable on a 24-hour
basis, have access to the charity house and transitional housing property, and be authorized
by the owner to act in the owner’s absence to address any complaints, disturbances,
emergencies and property conditions.
Owner means the person who, in accordance with the most recently recorded deed,
deed of trust, security instrument, trust instrument, affidavit of heirship, muniment of title
or other similar conveyance or transfer document indicating title to real property recorded
in the Official Public Records of Dallas County, Texas, is vested in, the ownership,
dominion or title of real property, including, but not limited to:
(1) The owner of a fee simple title;
3
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
(2) The owner of a life estate;
(3) The purchaser named in an executory contract for conveyance entered in
compliance with title 2, chapter 5, subchapter D of the Texas Property Code, as
amended, and recorded in the Official Public Records of Dallas County, Texas if
required by Texas Property Code, § 5.076, as amended; or
(4) A mortgagee, receiver, executor or trustee in control of real property.
Permit holder means person who receives a permit to operate a under this article.
Person means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or
association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or
community entity.
Premises means a lot, plot or parcel of land, easement or public way, including any
structures thereon.
Primary residence means the usual dwelling place of the applicant's residential
dwelling and is documented as such by at least two of the following: motor vehicle
registration, driver's license, Texas State Identification card, voter registration, property tax
documents, or utility bill. For purpose of this chapter, a person may have only one primary
residence.
Residential districts: Includes the following districts: SF-ED, SF-18, SF-12, SF-9, SF-
7, 2F-9, TH-1, TH-2, RBN or any Planned Development District, which allow residential
occupancy defined in Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances.
Single-family residence means as defined in the Code of Ordinances and in this article
which includes the following:
(1) One-family dwelling (detached): A dwelling designed and constructed for
occupancy by one family and located on a lot or separate building tract and having
no physical connection to a building located on any other lot or tract; and is
located in a single family zoning district in the Comprehensive Zoning district or
live work zoning or planned development district.
(2) One-family dwelling (attached): A dwelling which is joined to another dwelling
at one or more sides by a party wall or abutting separate wall and which is
designed for occupancy by one family and is located on a platted separate lot,
delineated by front, side and rear lot lines located in the TH, Historic or PD district
for each use.
Sleeping unit. A room or space in which people sleep, which can also include
permanent provisions for living, eating, and either sanitation or kitchen facilities but not
both. Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are not sleeping units.
4
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
Transient means occupancy of a dwelling unit or sleeping unit for fewer than 30
consecutive days.
Lodging house listing services usually, though not necessarily, provide booking
services through an online platform that allows an owner to advertise the premises through
a website provided by the lodging house listing service and the lodging house listing
service conducts a transaction by which potential guests arrange their use and their
payment, whether the potential guest pays rent directly to the owner or to the lodging house
listing service.
Sec. 9-30-3. - Charity house and transitional housing registration requirements.
A. No person shall advertise, offer for rent, lease, sublease, license or sublicense or offer
the same, a residential property within the city as a charity house and transitional
housing unless registered in accordance with this article.
B. Registration shall be made upon forms furnished by the city for such purpose and shall
specifically require the following minimum information:
1. Name, address, phone number and e-mail address of the property owner(s) of the
property.
2. Verification of that this charity house and transitional housing property is the
applicant's residence.
3. The name, address, e-mail address and 24-hour telephone number of a contact
person who is local emergency contact, the owner, operator or designated agent
and who shall be responsible and authorized to respond to complaints concerning
the charity house and transitional housing within one hour or less;
4. An acknowledgement that any permit granted under this article does not supersede
any property-specific restrictions against charity house and transitional housing
that may exist under law, agreement, lease, private covenantor deed restriction,
homeowner association rules or regulation;
5. A depiction of the floor plan that identifies sleeping areas, proposed maximum
number of guests, evacuation routes and location of all fire extinguishers and
smoke detectors;
6. Site plan/survey of the property indicating maximum number of vehicles that can
be legally parked on the property, without encroaching onto sidewalks or alleys,
other public rights-of-way or public property.
7. Zoning classification(s).
5
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
8. A sworn statement that the owner has met and will continue to comply with all
requirements of this article including, but not limited to, obtaining annual
independent inspections of required fire extinguishers in compliance with the
current Coppell Fire Code, as amended; and
9. Acknowledgement of receipt of a copy of this article and agreement to comply
with all provisions of this article as a condition to receiving and consent to
inspection during 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. maintaining a charity house and
transitional housing permit.
C. Applications shall be considered complete when all documentation required under this
article has been submitted and all permit fees have been paid. Incomplete applications
will not be accepted.
D. A permit to operate or maintain a charity house and transitional housing is not
transferable to another owner, operator or location.
Sec. 9-30-4. - Inspection required.
A. To ensure compliance with the requirements of this article, a charity house and
transitional housing may be inspected in the following methods:
1. Initial inspection. As part of the issuance of a new charity house and transitional
housing permit and any reapplication thereof, the city may conduct an inspection
to verify compliance with this article.
2. Fire extinguishers/suppression system. The owner is responsible for obtaining
annual independent inspections of the fire extinguishers or fire suppression
system in compliance with the Coppell Fire Code.
3. Inspections upon report or suspicion of a violation. The city may perform
inspections when a violation of this article or other law is reported or suspected.
B. If only a portion of the premises is offered for rent, then that portion plus shared
amenities and points of access shall be inspected.
C. If, upon completion of the inspection, the premises are found to be in violation of one
or more provisions of applicable city codes and ordinances, the city shall provide
written notice of such violation and shall set a re-inspection date for violation to be
corrected prior to its occupancy.
Sec. 9-30-5. - Restrictions on Charity house and transitional housing operation.
A. External signage. External on-site or off-site advertising signs or displays indicating
the property is a charity house and transitional housing are forbidden.
6
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
B. Limit on occupants allowed. No more than two occupants per bedroom, plus no more
than two occupants shall be allowed when renting a property as a home share rental,
except that:
1. There shall be a maximum occupancy of ten occupants.
2. Bedrooms under 120 square feet shall be limited to only one adult occupant.
C. Limits on number of vehicles. There shall be a maximum of one car per bedroom, or
maximum number of cars that can be accommodated within the garage and driveway,
without extending over the public rights-of-way (alleys and sidewalks) whichever is
less.
D. Advertisement and contracts. Any advertisement of the property as a charity house and
transitional housing and all rental contracts must contain language in bold and different
font that specifies the maximum number of occupants and maximum number of
vehicles as set forth in this section.
E. Other restrictions. It is unlawful for any person to:
1. Operate or allow to be knowingly operated a charity house and transitional
housing without first registering the property in which the operation is to occur
with the city in accordance with this article;
2. Advertise or offer a charity house and transitional housing without having
obtained a permit issued for such premises in accordance with this article. Any
documented advertisement or offer, shall be considered prima facie evidence of
a violation under this article;
3. A licensee or operator may not advertise, promote or allow another to advertise
or promote a charity house and transitional housing without including:
a. The permit number assigned by the city to the charity house and transitional
housing; and
b. The applicable occupancy limit for the charity house and transitional housing.
4. Operate a charity house and transitional housing that does not comply with all
applicable city and state laws and codes;
5. Operate a charity house and transitional housing without paying the required hotel
occupancy taxes;
6. Offer or allow the use of a charity house and transitional housing for the sole or
primary purpose of having a party venue;
7
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
7. Fail to include a written prohibition against the use of a charity house and
transitional housing for having a party in every advertisement, listing, or other
publication offering the premises for rent.
8. Allow, permit or suffer the use of the charity house and transitional housing for
the purpose of housing sex offenders; selling illegal drugs; selling alcohol or
another activity that requires a permit under the Alcoholic Beverage Code; or
operating as a sexually oriented business.
9. Rent or placement to a guest who is under the age of 21.
Sec. 9-30-6. - Brochure and safety features.
A. Informational brochure. Each registrant operating a charity house and transitional
housing shall file with city and provide to guests a brochure that includes:
1. The registrant's 24 hour contact information;
2. The host's 24 hour contact information if the property owner is not within the city
limits when guests are occupying the premises;
3. Pertinent neighborhood information including, but not limited to, parking
guidelines restrictions on noise and amplified sound, and trash collection
schedules;
4. Information to assist guests in the case of emergencies posing threats to personal
safety or damage to property, including emergency and non-emergency telephone
numbers for police, fire and emergency medical services providers and
instructions for obtaining severe weather, natural or manmade disaster alerts and
updates.
B. Safety features. Each charity house and transitional housing registrant shall provide in
the premises working smoke detectors in accordance with adopted codes and at least
one working carbon monoxide detector and alarm, and one working fire extinguisher
or fire suspension system. The premises shall, otherwise comply with applicable Codes
of Ordinance including but not limited to Building Maintenance and Fire Codes.
Sec. 9-30-7. - Notification of approval of charity house and transitional housing.
Within ten days of the approval of a charity house and transitional housing registration
and reapplication, a notice will be sent to all property owners within 200 feet of the
property, and shall include the 24-hour complaint line, and pertinent information about this
article.
Sec. 9-30-8. - Registration term, fees, and renewal.
8
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
A. All registrations approved under this chapter shall be valid for a period of one year
from the date of its issuance.
1. The fees for registration of a charity house and transitional housing may include
the following:
a. The initial registration fee,
b. A late fee of twice the established the fee, and
c. Senior exemption or other exemption.
B. Upon receipt of an application for re-application of the registration, the Director or their
designee may deny the registration if there is reasonable cause to believe that:
1. The registrant has violated any ordinance of the city, or any state, or federal law
on the premises or has permitted such a violation on the premises by any other
person; or
2. There are grounds for suspension, revocation, or other registration sanction as
provided in this article.
Sec. 9-30-9. - Inspections; re-inspections; suspension and revocation of permit.
(a) Inspections; access. The resident owner, nonresident owner, resident manager and
property manager, as a condition to the issuance of a charity house and transitional
housing permit required by this article, shall consent and agree to permit and allow the
city's building official or their designee to make the following inspections of the charity
house and transitional housing when and as needed to ensure compliance with this
article:
(1) Right and access to inspect all portions of the premises and structures located on
the premises that are not dwelling units, including, but not limited to, all storage
areas, detached garages, and swimming pools, upon reasonable advance notice
being given to the resident owner, nonresident owner, property manager or resident
manager;
(2) Right and access to inspect all unoccupied dwelling units upon giving reasonable
notice to resident owner, nonresident owner, resident manager or property manager;
(3) Right and access to inspect all occupied dwelling units when, upon receipt of
reliable information, the building official or their designee has reason to believe
that violations of the ordinances of the city or state law exist that involve serious
threats to life, safety, health and property; and
9
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
(4) Before the charity house and transitional housing permit and any renewal of the
charity house and transitional housing permit is approved, and before the use of any
single-family residence as a charity house and transitional housing under this
article, the resident owner, nonresident owner, resident manager or property
manager shall request an inspection and make the residence available for inspection
by the building official or their designee. The building official or their designee and
the resident owner, nonresident owner, resident manager and property manager
shall agree on a reasonable date and time for the requested inspection.
(b) Admission to premises. The building official or their designee may enforce the
provisions of this article upon presentation of proper identification to the occupant in
charge of the charity house and transitional housing and may enter, with the occupant's
permission, any charity house and transitional housing between the hours of 8:00 a.m.
and 6:00 p.m.; provided, however, that in cases of emergency where extreme hazards
are known to exist which may involve imminent injury to persons, loss of life, or severe
property damage, the building official or their designee may enter the charity house
and transitional housing referenced in subsection (a) of this section at any time and
upon presentation of identification and the occupant's permission shall not apply.
Whenever the building official is denied admission to inspect any charity house and
transitional housing under this provision, inspection shall be made only under authority
of a warrant issued by a magistrate authorizing the inspection.
(c) Reinspection. If any of the inspections authorized by this article require a second
reinspection due to noted violations, reinspection shall be assessed and paid prior to the
second reinspection.
(d) Suspension or revocation of permit. Failure of an owner to comply with the provisions
of this article after receipt of written notice of the violation from the building official
or their designee setting out the violations and the time allowed to rectify the violations,
the charity house and transitional housing permit authorized by this article issued to the
owner may be suspended or revoked by the Community Development Department.
(e) Reinstatement. Any person requesting a reinstatement or reissuance of a charity house
and transitional housing permit that has been suspended or revoked shall be required to
apply for and receive a new charity house and transitional housing permit issued under
this article as a condition precedent to the reissuance or reinstatement of the certificate
of occupancy.
Sec. 9-30-10. - Revocation/appeal.
A. Permit may be denied and/or revoked by the City Manager or designee upon a finding
by the noncompliance with any provisions of this article or violations of the
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, or other applicable city codes.
B. A permit may be suspended for up to 150 days for the following reasons:
10
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
1. If found guilty in Municipal Court of two or more violations of The City of Coppell
Code ordinances or misdemeanor state penal laws within a 12-month period.
i. Operating in violation of building, fire, health, or safety codes - based on official
investigation and determination - 10-day correction period allowed.
ii. Failure to file or pay applicable sales and lodging taxes.
iii. Failure to pay an annual permit application fee.
iv. Failure to apply for a charity house and transitional housing permit.
C. A permit may be revoked, or reapplication denied for up to one full year for the
following reasons:
1. More than one permit suspension within the past year;
2. False or misleading application materials;
3. Operation of charity house and transitional housing during a suspension;
4. Any conditions that would have warranted a denial of permit at the time of
application.
D. A permit holder may be subject to permanent revocation if there are four violations of
this article or other city's safety, health, and welfare ordinances.
1. Operating in violation of building, fire, health, or safety codes - based on official
investigation and determination - ten-day correction period allowed.
2. Reserve.
3. Failure to pay an annual permit application fee.
4. Failure to apply for a charity house and transitional housing permit.
5. False or misleading information contained in the application for permit.
6. Operation of charity house and transitional housing during a permit suspension.
E. The Community Development Department shall issue a notice of violation of any
provision of this article or violations as provided herein. Such notice shall include the
date, time and synopsis of the facts surrounding such violation.
11
4878-9792-7631, v. 1
F. An applicant or permit holder who wishes to appeal the denial or revocation of a permit
under this article, shall file an appeal with the Board of Adjustment within ten days of
notice for reinstatement of a denied or revoked permit.
G. The Board of Adjustment shall conduct an evidentiary hearing, take testimony and
receive any documented evidence to determine whether the decision of City Manager
or designee should be upheld or overturned.
H. At the hearing, the Board of Adjustment shall receive testimony and evidence to contest
the decision to deny or revoke a permit.
I. The Board of Adjustment upon completion of a hearing, shall upon a majority vote of
four-fifths of the board grant or deny the appeal.
J. All decisions of the Board of Adjustment under this article shall be deemed final.
Sec. 9-30-11. - Fees.
All fees for registration, inspection or renewal, including any late fees or exemptions,
as provided in this article, shall be as established by resolution of the City Council.
Sec. 9-30-12. - Presumption; presentation of documents or affidavit.
(a) Presumption. It shall be a rebuttable presumption that a single-family residence that is
occupied by one or more person(s) who are not the owner is being occupied pursuant
to an agreement between the owner and the occupant(s) of the single-family residence
wherein the occupant(s) have agreed to occupy said residence from the owner.
(b) Presentation of documents or affidavits. Any resident owner or nonresident owner
claiming that the owner is not required to obtain a charity house and transitional
housing permit pursuant to this article shall, not later than five business days following
receipt of a written request of the Building Official or their designee or, in the case of
an appeal filed pursuant to section 9-29-10 of this article deliver to the Community
Development Department a true and correct copy of any agreements, documents of
title, letters of administration, letters testamentary, executory contracts for conveyance
(also known as "contracts for deed"), affidavits, or other documents that establish to
the satisfaction of the Community Development Department that a landlord/tenant
relationship does not exist between the owner and the occupant(s) of the single-family
residence. Unless an extension of the time for delivery of such documents or affidavits
is granted by the Building Official or their designee or City Manager, as the case may
be, the failure of the owner to present the requested documents within the time provided
by this subsection (b) shall result in the presumption described in subsection (a) above,
becoming irrefutable.
Sec. 9-30-13. - Violations and penalties.
Violation of this ordinance upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed
the sum of $2 ,000.00 for each offense; and each and every day such violation shall continue
shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense."
SECTION 2 . That all provisions of the Ordinances of the City of Coppell , Texas, in conflict
with the provisions of this ordinance be, and the same are hereby , repealed, and all other provisions
not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 3 That should any sentence, paragraph, subdivision, clause , phrase or section of
this ordinance be adjudged or held to be unconstitutional , illegal or invalid, the same shall not affect
the validity of this ordinance as a whole, or any part or provision thereof other than the part so decided
to be unconstitutional , illegal or invalid , and shall not affect the validity of the Code of Ordinances as
a whole.
SECTION 4. An offense committed before the effective date of this ordinance is governed
by prior law and the provisions of the Code of Ordinances , as amended, in effect when the offense
was committed and the former law is continued in effect for this purpose.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect on March 11 , 2025 and after
publication of its caption, as the law and charter in such cases provi de.
DULY PASSED by the City Council of the City of Coppell , Texas, this the 11 th day of
March, 2025.
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
12
4878-9792-7631 , V. 1