GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Austin City Code tit. 4, ch. 4-4, art. 1

in effect

Austin City Code § 4-4-1 DEFINITIONS.

§ 4-4-1 - DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) JUNK includes: (a) an article that is classified in the usual trade meaning of junk; (b) scrap iron, tin, brass, copper, lead, zinc, tinfoil, aluminum, and a metal alloy; (c) an unserviceable item that is purchased, stored, or handled to dismantle and sell usable parts or the remainder of the item, including: (i) a wrecked, worn-out, or inoperative automobile, truck, trailer; or (ii) plumbing, electrical or gas fixture or appliance; and (d) other commodities unusable in their existing condition, including scrap paper, cloth, rags, rubber, boxes, or cartons. (2) JUNK DEALER includes a person engaged in collecting, handling, storing, or selling junk. (3) JUNKYARD means an area used for the outside collection, handling, sale, or storage of junk. (4) SOLID FENCE OR WALL means a fence or wall of a uniform height and surface quality, constructed of masonry, stone, or commercially available lumber, in compliance with commercial fence or wall standards, excluding a chain link fence augmented with strips or slats. Source: 1992 Code Section 8-7-1; Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 4-4-2 BOND REQUIRED.

§ 4-4-2 - BOND REQUIRED. Before a junk dealer may operate a junkyard, the dealer must execute a $1,000 bond payable to the city manager on a form prescribed by the city manager, with two or more sureties or a surety company authorized to do business in Texas. Source: 1992 Code Section 8-7-7(A); Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 4-4-3 RECORDKEEPING AND INSPECTION.

§ 4-4-3 - RECORDKEEPING AND INSPECTION. (A) A junk dealer shall assign a number to each item received by the dealer. (B) A junk dealer shall maintain a record book, in which the junk dealer shall make a accurate daily record of each item received by the dealer, including: (1) a description of each item; (2) the number assigned to the item; (3) the name of the person from whom the item was received; and (4) a description of the disposition of the item, including the name of each purchaser and the price received. (C) A junk dealer shall make a record book maintained under this section available for inspection by a City employee on demand during regular business hours. Source: 1992 Code Section 8-7-2; Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 4-4-4 DAILY REPORT.

§ 4-4-4 - DAILY REPORT. (A) A junk dealer shall deliver a daily report to the police chief not later than noon each day, except Sunday, on the form approved by the police chief. The daily report delivered on Monday must include all transactions that occur since the date of the last report. (B) A report under this section must: (1) be an accurate copy of the record required under Section 4-4-3 (Recordkeeping and Inspection); and (2) document each transaction occurring since the date of last report. Source: 1992 Code Section 8-7-3; Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 4-4-5 48-HOUR WAITING PERIOD BEFORE SALE OR REMOVAL.

§ 4-4-5 - 48-HOUR WAITING PERIOD BEFORE SALE OR REMOVAL. (A) A junk dealer commits an offense if the dealer sells or removes junk from the dealer's business premises less than 48 hours after the purchase or acquisition of the junk. (B) Except as provided in Subsection (C), a junk dealer shall segregate junk purchased or acquired by the dealer for not less than 48 hours after receipt by the dealer to allow proper identification of the junk. (C) Subsection (B) does not apply to scrap iron, old tin, rags, and bones. Source: 1992 Code Section 8-7-4; Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 4-4-6 RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSACTION WITH A MINOR OR INTOXICATED PERSON.

§ 4-4-6 - RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSACTION WITH A MINOR OR INTOXICATED PERSON. (A) A junk dealer commits an offense if the dealer receives or purchases junk from a person who is: (1) less than 18 years old, without the written consent of the person's parent or guardian; or (2) intoxicated. (B) A junk dealer shall keep the written consent required under Subsection (A)(1) for not less than six months after the date the dealer obtains the consent for public inspection. (C) A junk dealer making a purchase from a person less than 18 years old shall document the consent required under Subsection (A)(1) in the record book required under Section 4-4-3 (Recordkeeping and Inspection). Source: 1992 Code Section 8-7-5; Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 4-4-7 OBSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC PROHIBITED.

§ 4-4-7 - OBSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC PROHIBITED. A junk dealer commits an offense if the dealer or the dealer's employee obstructs vehicle traffic on a public street during loading or unloading junk. Source: 1992 Code Section 8-7-6; Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 4-4-8 PURCHASE OF LOST OR STOLEN PROPERTY.

§ 4-4-8 - PURCHASE OF LOST OR STOLEN PROPERTY. (A) The owner of lost or stolen property found in the possession of a junk dealer may present the dealer with an affidavit of ownership and reclaim the property. (B) If a junk dealer refuses to return property identified as lost or stolen in an affidavit to the owner, the owner may bring suit against the dealer to: (1) recover the property; or (2) claim the value of the property against the dealer's bond. Source: 1992 Code Section 8-7-7(B); Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 4-4-9 PENALTY.

§ 4-4-9 - PENALTY. An offense under this chapter is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable under Section 1-1-99 (Offenses; General Penalty). Source: Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.

Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT4BUREPERE_CH4-4JUJUDE_ART1GEPRFetched: 10/27/2026