Homeowner Information

El Lago Homeowners Association News

El Lago, Sections 1 – 4 (Old El Lago) – Currently seeking three officer positions for elections this November. Interested parties can contact Mark Briggs at mmb@wplptx.com or at P.O. Box 62, El Lago, 77586

El Lago Civic Corporation, (El Lago Estates) – New Board members elected at the last ELCC meeting. New Board members are:

William Cleek - President
Gary Bielat - Vice President
Melissa Adkins - Treasurer

Contact Number - 281-755-7045

Taylorcrest Homeowners Association – Annual Meeting to occur in the fall when Board of Directors elections are to take place. Watch for a letter announcing dates and nomination committee information. Contact President/Manager Maggie Asher 281-326-1861.

Reminders from City Hall

Mosquito Spraying Information and Schedule - The City sprays for mosquitoes two to three times a week, depending on the amount of rain we have had and/or complaints of mosquito activity. When they spray, it is usually on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule. They begin at 9:00 p.m. and usually end up at the Boondoggles area at 10:30 p.m. or so. When they see people outside, they stop the spray and only keep the machine running. We use a mixture of mineral oil and Biomist3030, which contains NO DDT. It is a birth inhibitor and has not been shown to have any impact on humans.

Garage and Yard Sales - The warmer weather has inspired many of our residents to clean out their closets and hold yard sales. Please remember that although the City does not require a permit for a yard sale, we do have specific ordinances on where you can place the signs that advertises your sale. Signs may be placed in your yard, or in the sign boxes located at each of the entrances to the City. Do not place signs along the side of the road or on street corners as they will be removed and destroyed. Also, please limit your garage/yard sale to a 2 or 3 day span, any longer with sale items in the yard becomes a "storage issue" and per city ordinance, any debris or objects of value (other than legal motor vehicles) may not be stored on driveways or lawns.

Sign Boxes - You may not have noticed, but the city has two designated areas to advertise garage sales, local events, and other items of interest. One is located at Loch Lake and Repsdorph and the other is located in front of city hall. Signs are not permitted on any other public property within the city. If you take advantage of this opportunity to advertise, please be sure you pick up your signs within a week.

Home and Yard Maintenance - As a good neighbor and responsible homeowner, please take the time to assess your property and plan necessary maintenance. About this time, we receive numerous complaints at city hall regarding properties whose grass is not mown or edged; weeds that are taking over the gardens and yard; pools left unattended allowing for mosquitoes to breed, etc. Did you know that our city has ordinances against this type of home neglect? Neglecting to care for your property may find you not only on the receiving end of neighbor's dirty looks, but also with a citation and the resulting fine.

Cats of the Prowl - Perhaps you are one of the many owners of the cities fine feline friends. We all know that cats are beneficial for their prowess in hunting nuisance rodents and are considered to be very clean animals. However, the latter of these two benefits can also be a problem for your neighbors. Please consider that your cat is so clean that it would never defecate in its own yard. So where do you suppose it is going? Complaints about cats roaming and going wherever they like regularly fills our ears here at City Hall. It is against city ordinance for pets to roam free outside their owner's yards - yes, this means cats too! Please be a kind neighbor and keep you kitty at home where it belongs.

New City Laws You Should Know

The following are new ordinances passed recently by City Council - please take note . . .

HOUSE NUMBERS - All buildings or structures, both existing and new, shall have an identifying address number posted, prominently displayed and maintained within twenty-four (24) inches of the front entrance to the building or structure. (The entrance refers to either the front door OR the opening of a porch, etc. leading to the front door if it is the closest to the street and has adequate wall space on which to post house numbers).
OVERGROWN LAWNS - (New height AND length restriction) It shall be unlawful for any owner, occupant, lessee or tenant of any parcel or parcels of real property situated in the City of El Lago to cause or permit lawn grasses to grow more than six (6) inches in height or more than four (4) inches in length. (The length is referring to what is typically known as runners).
POOL MAINTENANCE ORDINANCE - At the October 16th City Council meeting, Council passed a new ordinance which will require residents with pools to maintain their pools in s sanitary condition such that it cannot provide a breeding area for mosquitoes, the bottom of the pool must be clearly visible in the deepest part of the pool and it cannot give off objectionable odors. Anyone found guilty of violating this ordinance could be fined a sum of up to $500 for each day the violation continues.

STORAGE OF MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ON YOUR PROPERTY (This applies to any miscellaneous building materials, toys, appliances or other items) - It shall be unlawful for any owner, occupant, lessee or tenant of any parcel or parcels of real property within the City of El Lago to store objects of value other than allowed vehicles, upon any real property including parkways, driveways, or public right of ways within the City of El Lago in a location in which the objects of value can be viewed from the public street or any adjacent property.

PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES - No person shall park a vehicle or any portion of a vehicle or a towed vehicle including trailers, mobile homes, boat trailers, boats, boat rigging or carts, and some motor driven vehicles including motor homes, recreational vehicles or campers . . . on the lawn of a residence, either directly on the lawn or on blocks or on any temporary surface such as gravel, bricks and pavers located on the lawn of a residence . . .

SCOFFLAW VEHICLES - No person shall park a scofflaw vehicle on any avenue, street, or drive or in any other location in the city. (So what IS a SCOFFLAW Vehicle? It is a vehicle that has more than 10 outstanding parking tickets from the Lakeview Police Department. If a scofflaw vehicle is found to be parked in El Lago, the vehicle will be towed and held until the parking fines are settled. Additionally, the owner will be responsible for towing and storage fees for the vehicle as well.)

Just a reminder that according to City Ordinances, it is unlawful to park in the following manner or areas:

• On the street between 3-5 AM
• On the lawn of a residence
• On the curb of a residence
• Between the curb and the residence except in the driveway of the residence
• In such a manner as to block the sidewalk
• Blocking the driveway
• Parked on Street over 48 Hours
• In any area prohibited by a traffic-control sign, "No Parking" or "No Parking Anytime - Tow Away Zone"
• In any area prohibited by a sign indicating, "No Parking Any Time - Fire Lane - Tow Away Zone"

Alarm Registration and Renewal

Registration and renewal of home security alarms is due each January. There is an annual fee of $5.00. The application form can be downloaded from here and processed in person at City Hall, or you can mail the form, with a check or money order made out to City of El Lago (no cash please), to:

City of El Lago
98 Lakeshore Drive
El Lago, TX 77586

City Ordinances of Note

• Overnight on-street parking prohibited: On-street parking is prohibited between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Boats and Recreational Vehicles must be parked behind front set back lines. Variances can only be granted by city council.
• Juvenile Curfew: Persons under the age of 17 may be in violation of the curfew if they are out during school hours or after midnight without cause or supervision. The ordinance allows ticketing of both parent and child.
• Speed limit: The speed limit in the residential portion of El Lago is 20 MPH; 15 MPH in a school zone during posted hours. Let visitors know enforcement with radar is strict to protect children and pedestrians.

Garbage and Recycling Collection (printable version)

Garbage and recycling services for the City of El Lago are now provided by AmeriWaste. Pick up for garbage is twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays; recyclable materials are picked up on Tuesdays. Solid waste and recyclables MUST be out by 7:00 a.m. Details follow below:

Normal Garbage: All normal and usual household waste products are to be placed in approved containers or bags.

• Limits: 30 GALLON BAGS OR CANS - Unlimited number, not to exceed 50 lbs. each
• Garbage must be in plain view from the driveway at curbside.
• AmeriWaste is not required to remove containers from within a garage, dwelling, behind fences or closed gates.

Recyclable Materials: All recyclable items should be reasonably clean. It is not necessary to remove tops or wrappers or bundle papers. Please secure all paper products so they do not get blown into the street. Recycling bins are provided by AmeriWaste. The following are recyclable:

• ALUMINUM - beverage cans, aluminum foil products and wrapping
• TIN/BI-METAL CANS - vegetables, soup, etc.
• PLASTICS #1 - #7 - Plastics MAY be colored. Liquid soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, soft drinks, milk/juice jugs, water bottles, sport drinks, condiments. NO plastic wrapping or flammable products like cooking/motor oil, antifreeze, etc.
• CARDBOARD - cereal, snack, frozen and dry food boxes, shipping boxes, NO packing "peanuts" but Styrofoam cups are acceptable
• PAPER - Newspapers, office paper, magazines, phone books, circulars, etc

Bulky Waste: Pickup day is Wednesday. All Bulky Waste items must be manageable by 2 workers and capable of being placed "as is" in the compactor truck. Excessive bulky waste pickup must be arranged by the resident with AmeriWaste - THE CITY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RELATED COSTS OF SPECIAL PICKUPS. The following are Included In Bulky Waste pickup:

• BAGS - Maximum of 10 - weight MAY exceed 50 lbs.
• BUNDLES - Max. of 5 feet long and 18 inches diameter. NOT to exceed 50 lbs.
• FURNITURE
• MATTRESSES
• RESIDENTIAL HOME APPLIANCES - All liquids, gasses or other material harmful to the atmosphere must be emptied and the appliance tagged by a certified technician prior to pickup.

Construction Debris: Waste building materials resulting from construction, remodeling repair or demolition operations.

• Collected as "special collection" with pricing determined on a call by call basis - THE CITY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RELATED COSTS OF SPECIAL PICKUPS.

Holiday Schedule: The following holidays will be observed by AmeriWaste:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Fourth of July
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

If the collection day falls on a holiday, collection will resume on the next regularly scheduled collection day.

Complaints: For complaints, problems or additional pickups, call AmeriWaste at 281-331-8400.

Homeowners Associations

The deed restriction information for El Lago Sections 1 through 4 are available via the links below. Links to the Web sites for the other homeowners associations serving the El Lago community can be found here.

Section 1 | Section 2 | Section 3 | Section 4

The deed restriction information for Taylorcrest Community Association Sections 1 through 3 as well as the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws are available via the links below:

Section 1 | Section 2 | Sections 3 | Taylorcrest By-Laws | Taylorcrest By-Law Amendments

Lost Pet?

If your dog is missing and you just don't know where to look, think about City Hall. Very often we are called to pick up roaming animals and even sometimes concerned residents deliver them to our door step! If we have your pet kenneled, there is a minimum fee of $25.00 for the first day and $15.00 per day for each additional day. After 4 days, the animal will be turned over to the SPCA so please check with us first!

Pet Registration

Pets who reside in the City of El Lago are required to be registered and wear a City license tag. Annual renewals are due each January for a $5.00 fee and are available at City Hall. Please bring proof of rabies vaccination at time of registering.

Utility Provider Contacts

Reliant Energy HL&P: Call 713.207.2222 to report outages, emergencies or utility service order requests. To report street light outages, click here.

CenterPoint Energy Houston: Call 1.888.836.6709 to report outages, emergencies or utility service requests. Call before you dig: Call 1.800.545.6005 for underground gas line location to prevent service interruption or a potentially hazardous situation. Click here for further details.

Verizon: Call 1.800.483.1000 to report outages or repair requests. To report via the Web, click here.

Comcast: Call 800.266.2278 to report outages or to request a change in services.

Water: WCID 50, call 281.326.5573, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to report outages, outside leaks or request emergency shutoff. Contact the duty employee on call at 281.904.7906 at all other times.

Vehicle Window Stickers

City of El Lago vehicle stickers are issued by the city to identify resident vehicles for the police department, and may be used to restrict access to the city during emergencies (hurricane evacuation, etc.). The stickers are issued free and available at City Hall.