by The FWR Staff, Fort Worth Report
October 24, 2026
The Fort Worth Building Standards Commission ordered owners of several properties with hazardous structures to repair or demolish them. Others received additional time after they showed progress or presented plans to bring their properties into compliance at a meeting Sept. 28.
One case involved a fire-damaged property at 4220 Frazier Ave., where the commission declared a house and two structures on the property as substandard and hazardous. A city code officer said the structures had serious damage, including fire-compromised electrical systems, damaged roofs and walls, missing or broken windows, and extensive debris that could harbor pests. John Baxter, who owns the property with his wife, told commissioners he was trying to rebuild. His daughter, Vicky Moore, described the financial and logistical difficulties of completing the work.
The commission voted 6-0 to give the Baxters 45 days to repair or demolish the three structures. The order allows the city to demolish the structures and place the costs against the property if the owner does not comply.
The case illustrated a recurring issue throughout the late September hearing: City staff frequently sought 30-day deadlines, and property owners asked for more time to obtain financing, hire contractors or complete repairs. Commissioners sometimes granted longer periods, with the understanding that owners could seek additional time through the commission’s amendment process if they could demonstrate progress and provide a detailed work plan.
At 2607 NW 22nd St., for example, city inspectors reported that a vacant house had foundation problems, severely damaged exterior walls, a deteriorated roof, broken or missing windows and doors, compromised electrical and plumbing systems, and openings that could harbor pests. The owner, Luis Javier Dominguez, reported that he had already demolished an accessory structure on the property. The city recommended 30 days to repair or demolish the remaining primary structure.
Another case involved 8604 Heron Drive, where a secondary building on the property had rotted and collapsing beams, a bowing roof and a compromised foundation that was causing the structure to sink. The owner, Chad E. Leatherwood, told commissioners he spent nearly $5,000 on equipment to lift the structure and intends to repair it. The commission ordered the structure repaired or demolished within 90 days.
Civil penalties also figured prominently in the meeting. In one nuisance case at 4517 Erath St., code officer Jose Zenteno said city staff had initially recommended a $4,400 penalty after 17 inspections, an administrative search warrant, and repeated attempts to address accumulated debris. The owner, Donald Reed, appeared before the commission with photographs showing that much of the property had recently been cleaned. City staff subsequently recommended no civil penalty, but still sought a 30-day order to remove remaining items.
Commissioners approved the no-penalty recommendation. The case contrasted with others in which commissioners imposed $4,400 in penalties — calculated at $100 per day for 44 days — when properties remained in violation despite repeated inspections and notices.
The commission also heard cases involving vacant or deteriorated properties in which no owner appeared. At 5733 Farnsworth Ave., the city reported a compromised foundation, damaged roof, leaning and separating exterior walls, broken windows and doors, water damage, exposed electrical wiring, rodent infestation and biological growth. City staff recommended that the commission declare the structure substandard and hazardous and give the owner 30 days to repair or demolish it.
Under the commission’s procedures, owners seeking more than 90 days to comply must provide a written action plan with specific timelines. The commission can also consider amendments when owners show progress and need additional time.
Fort Worth Building Standards Commission
Documenter: Lou Chapman
Date: Sept. 28, 2026
Learn more about this meeting by clicking here. For the agenda, click here. To watch the meeting, click here.
Lou Chapman is a member of the Fort Worth Report Documenters crew. If you believe anything in this account is inaccurate, please email us at news@fortworthreport.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
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