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Building Department

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1. Does the city have zoning?

The City of Hewitt is a master planned - zoned community. The Zoning Ordinance specifies purposes for which the land in each of the zoning categories may be used. Some uses are permitted as a matter of right, and others require Special Use Permits. Questions about Special Use Permits or the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance should be directed to the Building Department.

2. Do I have to get a building permit?

Permits are required for new construction, remodeling, additions, accessory buildings, pools, hot tubs, flat work, decks, roofs, electrical, sprinklers, fences or fence repair, plumbing, patio covers, and car ports. Fees vary and some permits are calculated by the square foot.

3. May I open a daycare in my home?

Yes, you may have a daycare in your home. The keeping of six children or less (including your own children) for compensation is allowed; however, this shall be considered a home occupation in which a home occupation permit is required.

4. May I operate a business out of my home?

Yes, you may operate a business from your home under the following conditions:
a. Only one non-illuminated sign no larger than one square foot in the area is used.
b. Nothing is done to make the building appear in any manner different from a residential dwelling.
c. If some product is made as part of the activity, only it can be sold.
d. No one is employed from outside the resident family.
e. Mechanical equipment used is only that normally used or found in a single family home.
f. A beauty or barber shop shall not be an allowable home occupation.
g. No business can be carried on outside the building.
h. The accessory use shall not create any additional parking, traffic, noise or nuisance, which would not otherwise be associated with a residential area.

5. What are the rules on having a garage sale?

A residence is allowed four (4) sales per Calendar year. A minimum of thirty (30) days shall be required between sales of any location. Permits are issued on a first come - first serve basis for $10. Residences are prohibited from having a sale within 300 feet of another residence that has been issued a permit for a sale.

6. What do I need to provide the city to get a new construction building permit?

Building in Hewitt does not have to be complicated. A building permit must be obtained from the Building Department located at City Hall. To obtain a permit one complete set of plans along with a site plan, electrical load analysis (commercial) and electrical one-line drawing of the electrical service, and RES check will be required to be submitted for review.

7. What is the process for getting a variance?

A variance application must be submitted to the Building Department requesting a deviance from a city ordinance. The Board of Adjustment varies, modifies, or denies the variance

8. What is the process for rezoning a piece of property?

A rezoning application must be submitted to the Building Department, which evaluates the request. The Planning and Zoning Commission then makes a recommendation about the application to the city council, which makes the final decision.

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Hewitt Public Library

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1. Can I renew my books online?

Yes, call the library for more instructions.

2. Do I have to live in Hewitt to get a card?

No. Hewitt Public Library patrons must live in Texas and be able to show proof of their current address.

3. How do I access my account online?

www.cityofhewitt.com/hpl
click on Online catalog
click on "My Info" icon
Barcode: library card number (omit P)
Password: your last name
More...

4. How do I get a library card?

Applications for a library card may be obtained from the circulation desk. Applicants must provide a Texas drivers license or state issued i.d. card and proof of residency dated within the last 30 days. Acceptable forms of proof of residency include a utility or other bill or piece of official mail addressed to the applicant.

5. How do I place a book on hold?

Search library catalog by title, author, etc. Click on title wanted, on left side click on "Hold/Reserve" button, log onto account, save. If your book is ready, pick it up by the expiration date. If it is not ready, HPL will notify you by phone.

6. How long do I get to keep the materials I check out?

Books and audio books are checked out for 14 days. Videos are checked out for 7 days. As long as an item is not on hold it may be renewed twice.

7. How many books can I check out?

There is a limit of 15 materials to be checked out at one time. Of those 15, 7 may be audio books and 5 may be videos.
New patrons will be allowed to check out one book on their first visit (sorry, no audio books). Once that book has been returned (must be checked out for 24 hours) the patron will then have full library privileges.

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Municipal Court

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1. What do I need to know about my citation?

a. Your signature on the citation which you received is not a plea of guilty.

b. You do have the right to appear in court and contest the charge filed against you.

c. You have a right to a trial by either Judge or Jury.

d. Minors under the age of 17 for traffic violations and under the age of 18 for a violation of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code must appear in court with a parent or legal guardian.

e. All convictions for moving violations are reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety Records Division.

f. Unless you make some arrangements prior to the court date shown on your citation or appear on the date, an additional charge may be filed against you and a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

g. You may also be denied renewal of your Texas Driver’s License.

2. What is the role of the Municipal Court Staff?

The Municipal Court Staff may explain your rights in municipal court; however, court clerks are NOT attorneys. It is unlawful for them to give legal advice.

3. How can I pay my ticket?

You can pay in person or by mail. The court also accepts cash, personal checks or money orders. You may pay on-line with a credit card at www.officialpayments.com or over the phone with a credit card at 1-800-272-9829, code 6126.

4. If I cannot pay my fine in full, is it possible to pay my citation in installments?

Yes, the court allows you to set up a payment plan for outstanding citations. An additional $25.00 fee is added to the fine amount if it is not paid in full within 30 days. This fee is required by State Law and cannot be waived by the court. You, however, may not be eligible for this option if you previously defaulted on a payment.

5. Why can’t I enter my plea by phone?

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure only permits pleas to be entered in person or by mail. Contacting the court without entering a plea does NOT institute an appearance.

6. What happens if I miss my court date?

The Judge may issue a warrant for your arrest. In addition, a new case “Failure to Appear” may be issued against you.

7. How long do I have to take care of my ticket?

You have a court date on your ticket and you must have taken care of the citation prior to that date. You may also appear in court on the stipulated date at 3:00 pm.

8. Can I take a driving safety course?

a. You may be eligible to have your charge dismissed for certain motor violations by taking a driving safety course if: you have a Texas Driver’s License, you provide proof of liability insurance and you have not taken a driving safety course for another ticket in the past twelve months, nor are you currently enrolled in such a course.

b. You are ineligible for a driving safety course if: you were driving 25 miles per hour over the speed limit, you committed the offense in a construction zone when workers were present, you have a commercial driver’s license, you passed a school bus loading or unloading children or you left the scene of an accident.

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New Resident Information

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1. Do I have to register my pets?

The city requires that all dogs and cats be registered with the city. You need to bring your shot records and proper fee amount to the Police Department (204 Chama) to complete the registration process. The city charges $10 to register the first two animals and $2 for each additional animal. For more information, call (254) 666-1661.

2. How may I obtain a city map?

Street maps of the city are available in the lobby of City Hall (105 Tampico). Zoning maps are available at the Building Department, which is located in City Hall, for $5.

3. Resources for non-city utilities?

Cable, electric and phone services have been deregulated in Texas. You may find additional information about companies that provide these services in your phone book.

Gas service is handled by Atmos Energy, which can be reached 1-800-460-3030.

4. What are the local emergency contacts?

911

5. Where can I find local school information?

The Midway Independent School District serves Hewitt. You may find additional information about Midway and other institutions of higher learning by reading the educational section of our website. Read more...

6. Where can I find the new resident packet?

The City of Hewitt provides new resident packets to people that sign-up for new water service.

7. Where can I sign up for city utilities and services?

Come to the Utility Billing Department at City Hall (105 Tampico) to sign-up for water, wastewater and garbage service. You may call (254) 666-3151 for additional information.

8. Where do I register to vote?

You may pick up a voter registration application at City Hall or any local post office.

9. Where do I renew my driver's license?

The Texas Department of Public Safety provides driver's license services for the State of Texas. This organization is located at 1617 East Crest Drive in Waco. You may call (254) 759-7121 for more information.

10. Who is my council representative?

The council is elected at-large, which means every council member represents you. Read more...

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Utility Billing

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1. What are the requirements for new water, sewer and garbage service?

Come to the Utility Billing Department no later than 11:00 am of the day you want the service started, fill out a contract and pay the deposit and connect fee. Inside city limits, the charge is $100 ($80 deposit and $20 non-refundable connect fee). Outside city limits, the charge is $150 ($120 deposit and $30 non-refundable connect fee). Deposits cannot be added to the first month’s bill. You must pay up front before service can be provided.

2. How soon do I need to call in to get water service?

You may come to the Utility Billing Department anytime up to 11:00 am of the same day you want service.

3. Can I pay my bill by credit card?

Yes, via phone or internet, through Official Payments, Inc. at www.officialpayments.com The company accepts Master Card, Discover, and American Express. The company charges a 4% convenience charge. It is important to note that it may take one to two business days for the charge to be credited to your account. Phone: 1-800-272-9829. The code is 6126.

4. Why is my water bill so high?

We must go by the readings on the meter to calculate your charges, so all we can do is suggest common problem areas for you to check, such as: Sprinkler systems: They use more water than most people think. You can read your meter anytime to keep up with your usage. If it is set to come on during the night, read the meter before you go to bed, then again the next morning before anyone uses any water to see how many gallons were used. Multiply gallons times $3.25 per 1,000 gallons. (5000 gallons = $16.25) Commodes: Sometimes they do not shut off automatically and this can run a lot of water through it while you’re away. (Silent leak – described below.) Leak in the line from meter to house: Sometimes a wet spot does not show on top of the ground because most of Hewitt is on a rocky terrain and the water can go down into the ground.

5. How can I tell if my toilet has a silent leak?

Remove the cover to the tank part of the toilet. Drop 3 – 4 drops of food coloring (blue, red, or green) in the tank. Wait 5 – 10 minutes. If the food coloring appears in the bowl of the toilet, then you have a leak.

6. How can I tell if I have a leak?

Make sure no one in the house is using water, like dishwashers, showers or washing machine. Go out to the meter. On the meter will be a small pea sized circle with a blue or red triangle in it. Watch this triangle for 5-10 minutes and if it moves, you have a leak.

7. Can a payment plan be worked out if I had a leak?

Yes, by calling and working with the utility billing staff, arrangements can be worked out to get the bill paid off in a timely manner.

8. How can the meter reader read my meter if there is so much dirt on it?

Mother Nature has her way of covering up meters by the wind blowing, ground shifting, rain and even mowing your yard. The meter reader does not necessarily have to wipe off all the dirt in order to read the meter. Remember, they are trained and do this on a daily basis.

9. Why do the billing periods have more days in some months and less in others?

Some months have 31 days and when a month has five Fridays, there are extra days in the billing period, but you will only be billed twelve times per year.