Red Oak cited wrong code when threatening residents over 'No data center' signs, city now admits
Red Oak residents received incorrect code violation notices for their "No Data Center" yard signs, which the city later admitted was due to citing the wrong code. The city clarified that the signs are permitted on private property but not in the public right-of-way, and all related cases have since been closed without further required action for residents.
Red Oak, Texas residents expressed frustration after receiving notices from the city's Code Enforcement Officer, David Arnold, threatening fines for their "No Data Center" yard signs. The notices incorrectly cited Code 12.2.1, which demands a building permit for signs, a requirement residents like Cindi Stephenson and Sharon Cotton found perplexing, noting they had not faced similar demands for other yard signs. Cotton also highlighted that the officer could not state the permit fee.
Following inquiries, a separate letter from the Red Oak Chief Building Official clarified that such signs are permitted by the zoning ordinance on private property but are prohibited in the public right-of-way. A city spokesperson later confirmed to WFAA that the initial notices had indeed cited the wrong code, stating the correct reference should have been to Code 12.3.1, which prohibits signs in public rights-of-way. The city has since closed all related cases, informing residents that signs are permitted on private property and only need to be moved from the public right-of-way, with no further action or fines required.