City of Tyler Frequently Asked Questions

Animals Boards & Commissions Building / Property Businesses City Council / City Hall City Elections Environment / Sanitation Garage Sales / Signs Government Services Parks & Recreation Population / Genealogy Public Safety SIdewalks / Streets / Traffic Taxes Utilities

What is the procedure for reporting a stray animal that needs to be picked up?
Call Animal Control at (903) 535-0045.

Where do I file a complaint about barking dog?
Call the Tyler Police Department at (903) 531-1090.

I think my neighbor’s dog is dangerous. What can I do?
Call Animal Control at (903) 535-0045.

Where is the Animal Shelter located?
Klein Animal Shelter is located at East Tena Street in Jacksonville, Texas. Their phone number is (903) 586-7336.

How do I report an injured or dead animal?
Call Animal Control at (903) 535-0045.

How many City Council appointed boards exist and what are is their purpose?
Click here for a list of City Boards and Commissions and a description of their duties, or contact the City Clerk’s office at (903) 531-1106.

I would like to serve on one of a Boards or Commissions. What should I do first?
Pick up a board application from the City Clerk’s office or print an application (pdf file) from this web site. Determine what boards you would be interested in serving on, fill out the application and turn it back in to the City Clerk.

How do I arrange for a building inspection?
Call (903) 531-1151.

Where do I go to get a building permit?
The Development Services office at 423 W. Ferguson. Phone (903) 531-1151.

How do I find out who owns a certain piece of property? Where do I go to file deeds?
Smith County Land and Deed Records at Smith County Courthouse.

Who do I contact about regulations when building a fence?
Development Services at (903) 531-1151.

What is the number for HUD or Section 8?
(903) 531-1303.

Do you have a sale on the courthouse steps for properties in the area?
Delinquent tax property sales are held at the Smith County Courthouse on the first Tuesday of every month, at 10 a.m. The law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson represents the City of Tyler for tax sales. More information and a list of properties up for sale is available on the firm’s web site at www.publicans.com.

Where can I find out if a certain business is still in business?
Call the Retail Merchants Association at (903) 595-0466.

Who do I talk to about starting a new business?
Call the Smith County Clerk’s office at (903) 590-4670.

Where do I go to get a sales permit and Tax ID number?
Call the State Comptroller’s office at (903) 534-0333.

What is the number to Chamber of Commerce?
(903) 592-1661. The Chamber of Commerce is located at 407 N. Broadway, about three blocks north of the Smith County courthouse.

Where is City Hall?
We are located at 212 N. Bonner Ave. This is four blocks west of the Smith County courthouse, behind the former King Chevrolet. Click here for a map.

What is your mailing address?
P.O. Box 2039
Tyler, TX 75710

What holidays will City Hall be closed on?
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independance Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

How can I contact the Mayor and/or Councilmembers?
Call the City Manager’s office at (903) 531-1250 or click here to send an e-mail.

When and where are City Council meetings held?
Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 9 a.m. in the Council Chambers located on the second floor of City Hall at 212 N. Bonner.

Are there any guidelines or rules that I must follow if I want to speak at the City Council meeting?
Yes, call the City Manager’s office at (903) 531-1250 for details.

What is the televising schedule for City Council meetings?
City Council meetings are televised 3 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday on Suddenlink Cable Channel 3.

How soon after the City Council meeting is a resolution, ordinance, or other item available?
To receive a signed (by the Mayor) and attested copy of an ordinance or resolution will take 14 days, but a copy of the item as passed should be available the next day.

How often are City Council elections held?
Once a year, on the first Saturday in May.

How do I vote absentee for a City election?
Contact the Smith County Elections Administration Office at (903) 590-4777.

How do I register to vote for a city election?
Contact the Smith County Elections Administration Office at (903) 590-4777.

The creek next to my property needs mowing and cleaning. Who do I call?
Contact the Code Enforcement Office at (903) 531-1312.

How do I report that my garbage was not picked up?
Call the Solid Waste Department at (903) 531-1389.

Who do I contact about a City lot that is overgrown?
The Code Enforcement Office at (903) 531-1312.

Who do I contact about litter on the side of road or illegal dumping?
The Code Enforcement Office at (903) 531-1312.

Who do I contact about a junk vehicle on private property?
The Code Enforcement Office at (903) 531-1312.

Who do I contact about an abandoned vehicle on the street?
Tyler Police Department at (903) 531-1090.

Someone dumped a couch in the alley behind my house. Will City pick it up?
Call the Code Enforcement Office at (903) 531-1312.

Who do I call to spray for mosquitoes?
Call the Smith County Health Department at (903) 535-0045.

Where do I report a chemical spill?
Notify the Department of Public Safety at (903) 566-9740.

How can I get a drainage problem corrected?
Call the Drainage Foreman in the Street Department at (903) 531-1393.

Where do I report graffiti?
Call the Tyler Against Graffiti hotline at (903) 535-TAG2 [8248].

Where can I report a building that is unsafe, falling apart and creating an eyesore?
Call the Neighborhood Services Office at (903) 531-1303.

Is there a limit to how many garage sales I can have or where put my signs?
Yes, you can have no more than two garage sales at your residence per year. Signs are not allowed on City right-of-ways.

Is it a violation of the City code to post any signs on utility pole, tree, or right-of-way?
Yes.

Where is the Social Security Office located?
On S. Donnybrook behind Best Buy. The phone number is (903) 561-8632.

Where is the Bankruptcy court?
At 200 E. Ferguson St. The phone number is (903) 590-1212.

Who do I call for a marriage license?
The Smith County Courthouse at (903) 590-2600.

What is the phone number for Justice of Peace?
(903) 590-2601.

Who do I talk to about getting a divorce?
Call the Smith County Courthouse at (903) 590-2600.

How do I get a Handicap parking sticker?
Go to the Cotton Belt Building at 1517 W. Front St. Or, call (903) 590-2920.

Where do I get a Birth and/or Death Certificate?
Call the Smith County Health Department at (903) 535-0031.

Where do I go to get my boat registered?
Texas Parks and Wildlife
100 N. Broadway Ave.
Phone: (903) 535-0800

Where do I pay my traffic ticket?
At the Municipal Court at 813 N. Broadway. Phone number is (903) 531-1266.

Where do I renew my drivers license?
At the Department of Public Safety at 4700 University Blvd. (Spur 264). The phone number is (903) 566-4819.

Where do I get my vehicle tags renewed?
At the Tax Assessor’s office in the Cotton Belt Building on Front Street. The phone number is (903) 590-2920.

Where is the Health Department located?
315 N. Broadway Ave.

Has my ball game been rained out or canceled?
Call the Athletic Office at (903) 531-1374.

How do we find out if a make-up game has been scheduled?
Call the Athletic Office at (903) 531-1374.

Does Tyler have any special meeting places for senior citizens?
Yes, the Senior Citizens Center at 1915 Garden Valley Rd. Phone (903) 597-0781.

What is the population of Tyler?
According to the 2000 Census, the population was 84,321. However, more recent data indicates that Tyler's population is 108,000.

Are there any records available for genealogical research on people buried in Rosehill cemetery?
Call Rosehill Cemetery at (903) 531-1384 or (903) 531-1207.

Where do I get an Alarm permit?
Tyler Police Department, the phone number is (903) 531-1090.

Who do I contact about Defensive Driving?
Tyler Municipal Court, located at 813 N. Broadway.

Who do I contact for a copy of an accident report?
The Tyler Police Department at (903) 531-1090.

Who do I contact if my car is impounded?
The Tyler Police Department at (903) 531-1090.

Does Tyler have a curfew for juveniles?
Yes, the hours are as follows:

11 p.m. - 6 a.m. Sunday - Thursday
12 a.m. (midnight) - 6 a.m. Friday - Saturday

If disaster strikes, how do I find out what is happening?
Tune in to local access Channel 3 or any local television station.

Is it illegal to shoot off fireworks in the City limits?
Yes.

How do I contact someone at the Jail?
Phone (903) 535-0975.

Where is the Police Department located?
711 Ferguson St.

Who do I contact to get a street temporarily closed?
Call the Traffic Department at (903) 531-1202.

How do I get my sidewalk or drive approach repaired replaced?
Call the Engineering Department at (903) 531-1126.

How do I get the curb on my street repaired or replaced?
Call the Engineering Department at (903) 531-1126.

Who paints addresses on curbs?
The City does not provide this service. However, the City does have a list of names and phone numbers that can be provided to citizens by calling (903) 531-1201.

My street is dirty, how do I get it swept?
Contact the Street Department at (903) 531-1393.

Where do I report a traffic sign that is down or missing?
Call the Traffic Department at (903) 531-1202.

What is the sales tax breakdown?
Total tax rate is 8.25%.

6.25% goes to the State of Texas.
1% goes to the City of Tyler.
.5% goes to the 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Corporation.
.5% goes to Smith County.

Refer to the State Comptroller’s office for any additional information needed.

What is the property tax rate for Tyler?
$.238375 per $100 property valuation.

Where do I pay my taxes?
At the Tax Assessor’s Office in the Cotton Belt Building on Front St. The phone number is (903) 590-2920.

Who fixes street lights?
Oncor upkeeps street lights. Their toll free number is 1-888-313-4747. You may also report a streetlight outage at: http://www.oncorgroup.com/community/streetlights/default.aspx

I just moved to Tyler; how do I activate utilities such as electric, water, cable, gas and telephone?
Call each of the following utility companies:

Entex -- (903) 534-7008
TXU Electric -- 1-800-242-9113
Southwestern Bell -- 1-800-464-7928
SuddenLink Communications -- (903) 595-4321
City Water Department -- (903) 531-1230