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 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 strip with 4-inch letters stating “No Parking Fire Lane”, as approved by the Fire Marshal’s Office.

Commendations can be e-mailed to lstallings@ci.desoto.tx.us or by phone at 972.230.9694.

In order to expedite your claim, you may also fax the completed form to 972.230.5793,
but the original form must be mailed or delivered to the above address.

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.
Notice of Claim Form

Must be a United States citizen.

Must have a copy of High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Must provide proof of certification as a basic Firefighter, as established by Texas Commission on Fire Protection, and must be fully certified with the Texas Department of State Health Services or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as an Emergency Medical Technician Basic OR provide proof of certification as a Paramedic (must provide a Paramedic Certificate issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) prior to entrance examination.

Must possess a valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Must meet all physical requirements.

If time and weather do not permit giving the PAT to the applicants who pass the civil service examination, another date and time will be set and the applicants notified.
Individuals with disabilities who will need reasonable accommodation in order to complete a test must contact the Civil Service Director at 972.230.9639 prior to the scheduled test date. Documentation supporting the need for accommodation will be required.

The City of DeSoto does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

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.

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. You may use library materials (excluding Internet computers) for free.

The computers are reserved on a first some, first served basis and can be used in one hour increments. Currently there is a $1.00 per hour fee for non DeSoto residents (If you have a non-resident DeSoto library card you have use of the Internet computers).

For more information, please contact Cynthia Velasquez at the Reference Desk 972-230-9661 or by email at: cvelasquez@ci.desoto.tx.us

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.

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 $35 filing fee to the Secretary of State, Corporate Section, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, Texas 78711. Their phone number is 512-463-5701.

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 insure 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.

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 charges. Copies cost .10 cents a page.