The Killeen City Council voted unanimously Dec. 2 to adopt amendments to Chapter 18 of the city code that make the open storage of defined “nuisance vehicles” unlawful and add enforcement provisions tied to state law.

The ordinance, approved 7–0 after a public hearing and extended discussion, defines a nuisance vehicle to include wrecked, dismantled, inoperable or substantially disfigured vehicles left on public or private property (inoperable for more than 72 hours on public property or more than 30 consecutive days on private property). The changes were proposed after the Texas Legislature eliminated many vehicle safety inspection requirements, which staff said created a need to tighten local definitions and enforcement.

“Once it is identified after that 30 days, then they have 10 days to remove it from public view, repair the vehicle,” Jerry Miller, director of code enforcement, told the council while explaining the notice and hearing process. “We do work with citizens should they have issues or their situations where they’re waiting on a title.”

During public comment, resident Melissa Brown raised concerns that the ordinance could unintentionally impact service members who deploy and leave vehicles parked at home. “There is no way for anybody to guarantee that a service member is going to get a notification before their vehicle is towed,” Brown said, urging extra protections for military families.

Staff replied that enforcement procedures include opportunities for property owners to request a hearing and that code enforcement aims to work with residents on a case-by-case basis. City staff also confirmed that an administrative warrant from the municipal court judge is obtained before any physical abatement: “Every junk vehicle retaker, any abatement that we perform in the City of Killeen, we do get an administrative warrant from the municipal court judge prior to entering the property and removing said vehicle,” Miller said.

The ordinance outlines remedies ranging from citations to abatement and explains disposition procedures for towed vehicles; once title transfers to a towing company the vehicle does not return to the property owner. Staff noted there will be public information efforts to explain the changes. City attorney clarified during the meeting that, as written, the ordinance goes into effect immediately upon final vote.

The council adopted the ordinance following staff responses to questions and an assurance that communications will notify residents of the change.

The council also directed staff to work with communications and to coordinate information-sharing with Fort Hood leadership so military households receive notices about the new rules and timelines.