Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you may qualify to take a Driving Safety Course as long as you meet the other qualifications. 

No, you must be a listed and covered driver on an insurance policy. You will need to to turn in a copy of your insurance card. 

No, you are not eligible to take a driving safety course if you are a commercial driver’s license holder. 

No, you must have a valid Texas Driver’s License. 

Your case may require your appearance to answer to your charge.Defendants must appear in open court for all family violence and juvenile case. You are not able to pay these citations prior to appearing in Court.If you do not have a family violence or juvenile case, please contact the court at 281-427-9511.

While the Baytown Municipal Court cannot give you legal advice we are able to inform you of your options. 

Respond to a Citation

The length of court hearings vary based on the number of defendants scheduled to appear on that day and the nature of their case(s).

Yes, the requirements for deferred disposition are based on your age at the time of the violation.

You may view our forms here.

At no cost, building permit information is accessible online at Citizen Self Service. Meeting agenda packets and minutes are available online from 2007 to present.

Written Request

You must make a written request which includes:

Requestor’s contact information. We would also need you to be very detailed when stating the type of documents you are requesting and if possible, provide a date range in order to narrow the request.

Submit Request

Request may be submitted by one of the following forms:

Online

Click on the general tab and press Submit once you have filled in the information. 

Email

Email Open Records

By Mail 

City of Baytown
Attn: City Clerk’s Office
2401 Market Street
Baytown, Texas 77520 

In Person

City of Baytown
City Clerk’s Office
2401 Market Street
Baytown, Texas 77520

• General Public Information
• Records Request Form

The City Clerk’s Office will "promptly" respond to your request. Requests are generally completed within 10 business days. However, requests may exceed the 10 business days depending on the amount of information you have requested, but you will receive notification from us by the 10th business day informing you if more time is required to comply with your request or if a request for an Attorney General Opinion is necessary.

Costs for Public Information Records are regulated by the Public Information Act and if it is determined that complying with your request will result in the imposition of a charge that exceeds $40, we will provide you with a cost estimate letter as required by Section 552.2615 of the Texas Government Code. A fee schedule, which was adopted by the City Council listing charges for various services, is available for inspection upon request.

Based on a previous determination decision (Open Records Decision No. 684) for all governmental bodies with regard to various exceptions to disclosure in the Public Information Act and other statues, we may redact the following confidential Information:

• Sections: 552.024 and Section 552.1175 (b) - Home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, date of birth, and/or family member information of a public employee, official, or a peace officer;
• Section 552.136 - Credit card, debit card, charge card, or access device number;
• Section 552.130 - Motor vehicle records (a) (1) a motor vehicle operator’s or driver’s license or permit issued by an agency of this states, (2) a motor vehicle title or registration issued by an agency of this state; or (3) a personal identification document issued by an agency of this state or a local agency authorized to issue an identification document;
• Section 552.137 - Certain E-Mail addresses when communicating electronically with governmental body; and
• Section 552.147 - Social Security Numbers of any living person

NOTE: Redacted documents will not be sent to any requestor electronically 

Written Request 

You must make a written request which includes:

Defendant’s full name/ Date of Birth/ Texas Driver’s License (If available) /Citation or Case Number (If available) Include the requestor’s contact information. Request can only include documents or other information that are already in existence.

Submit Request 

Request can be made in one of the following forms:

Online

Court Records Request

Email

Email Court Records

By Mail

The City of Baytown Municipal Court
Attn: Open Records
3120 North Main Street
Baytown, Texas 77521
Court Information Records Request

In Person 

The City of Baytown Municipal Court
3120 North Main Street
Baytown, Texas 77521 

Deferred Disposition

Please visit our Municipal Court Disposition webpage. 

Judicial Records 

Judicial records are not subject to the Texas Public Information Act. They must be requested directly from the Baytown Municipal Court.

Contact Information for Court Records

Physical/Mailing Address

Baytown Municipal Court
3120 N Main Street
Baytown, Texas 77521

Phone

281-427-9511

E-Mail

Email Court Records

The Court will "promptly" respond to your request. Requests are generally completed within 10 business days. However, request may exceed the 14 business days depending on the amount of information you have requested.

Costs for Public Information Records are regulated by the Code of Ordinances, City of Baytown, Texas.

Written Request

Requestor’s contact information. We will need you to be very detailed when stating the type of documents you are requesting and if possible, provide a date range in order to narrow the request.

Request may be submitted by one of the following forms:

Online

Click on the POLICE button and press Submit once you have filled in the information.

Email

 Email Open Records 

By Mail

City of Baytown
Attn: Police Department
3200 N. Main Street
Baytown, Texas 77521

In Person

City of Baytown
Police Department
3200 N. Main Street
Baytown, Texas 77521

Fax

(281) 427-5037

Accident reports are not subject to the Act and may be requested directly from the Baytown Police Department or the Texas Department of Transportation ("TxDOT").

For more information please visit the Police Department Crash Report page or TxDot Crash Reports and Records page.

These requests are handled by our Police Department and should be requested as a Police request instead of a General request. Please provide date, time, and location of the incident, as well as any other information, including phone numbers from which calls were placed, if known.

Based on a previous determination decision (Open Records Decision No. 684) for all governmental bodies with regard to various exceptions to disclosure in the Public Information Act and other statues, we may redact the following confidential Information:

• Sections: 552.024 and Section 552.1175 (b) - Home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, date of birth, and/or family member information of a public employee, official, or a peace officer;
• Section 552.136 - Credit card, debit card, charge card, or access device number;
• Section 552.130 - Motor vehicle records (a) (1) a motor vehicle operator’s or driver’s license or permit issued by an agency of this states, (2) a motor vehicle title or registration issued by an agency of this state; or (3) a personal identification document issued by an agency of this state or a local agency authorized to issue an identification document;
• Section 552.137 - Certain E-Mail addresses when communicating electronically with governmental body; and
• Section 552.147 - Social Security Numbers of any living person

NOTE: Redacted documents will not be sent to any requestor electronically.   

To obtain copies of police reports, you need to provide case number(s), if available. Also, please provide date, time, and location of the incident, as well as any other information, including names of persons involved. It will help us serve you better if you include as much detailed information as possible.

To stop a crime, report a fire, or save a life. Call 911 anytime an emergency response is required by law enforcement, fire, or medical personnel. You should call 911 anytime there is an actual emergency. If you are unsure, call 911 and the dispatcher will make the final determination.

The department knows the importance of recognizing employees who have demonstrated acts of kindness and also knows the importance of protecting the community from employees who have demonstrated acts of misconduct.  If you like to submit a compliment or a complaint on a Baytown Police employee, you may submit an online form.

Visit Careers & Recruiting for more detailed information on becoming a Baytown Police officer.

The case must be submitted through a computerized system that checks for errors and routes the report to the appropriate division. Once the case arrives to the correct division, a supervisor must assign the case to a detective. Once the case is assigned, it is prioritized by the detective. If there is an error in the way the report was written or filed a delay is possible. If the detective is working weekends, nights, or hours outside of the time the case was assigned a delay is possible.

Pay traffic tickets at the Baytown Municipal Court, located at 3120 N. Main St.

The Citizens Police Academy is a 10 week series of classes that are designed to enhance relationships with community members by familiarizing academy participants with the Baytown Police Department, its policies and practices. Citizens Police Academy classes are held every Spring and Fall. To learn more and apply, go to our Citizens Police Academy page.

Citizens may search for registered sex offenders using the Texas Department of Public Safety Sex Offender site. This website lists registered offenders throughout the State of Texas. You may search by name, address, county, school, and zip code.

The Crime Prevention Unit provides free safety presentations on various topics to eliminate or reduce exposure to crime.   Interested organizations can fill out an online Speaker request form to have an officer speak at an event.

You may contact our Records Division at 281-420-6626 or view our web pages to obtain online information to request police and accident reports.

Remember this is a physical self-defense class so wear loose clothing or comfortable athletic clothing. Athletic shoes are recommended, no opened-toed shoes, sandals, or heels. No jewelry will be permitted during the physical aspect due to the chance of damage to the equipment.

Please be prepared to attend all 12 hours of the course.  The 12-hour course sessions are usually divided in two 6-hours class, three 4-hour classes or four 3-hour classes.   All class sessions builds on the next, therefore attendance is important.  Space is limited, so only register if you can guarantee the time to attend. 

**Participants must attend all sessions**

Classes will be held at one of the two following locations;

Baytown Police Academy & Training Center

203 E. Wye Dr.

Baytown, TX 77521

or

Baytown Public Safety Building

Community Room

3200 N. Main St.

Baytown, TX 77521

No. This program is designed for the average woman who has no previous experience or background in martial arts.

This class is offered free to all who wish to attend.  However, because the class is limited and fills up fast, a $25 refundable deposit is required to hold your spot.

You have to be at least 16 years of age or older.  We do welcome participants between the ages of 13-15 years of age, but they must be accompanied in the class with an adult female.

No, this training is open to anyone who wishes to attend.  

Classes are 12 hours longs and broken up into either (two) 6-hour sessions, (three) 4-hour sessions or (four) 3-hour session.  All sessions are conducted on different days.  The 6-hour session usually runs from 9am - 3pm, the 4-hour sessions usually runs from 9am - 1pm and the 3-hour sessions usually are from 6:30pm - 9:30pm each day.

Best Trash LLC is a Texas-owned company that works in the Houston metro area and provides service to more than 200,000 customers with the potential to serve many more. Staff has decades of experience in the solid waste industry and has never lost a contract due to service issues.

By 7 AM on your scheduled pick-up day.

Good news! Best Trash will pick up trash bags (30-gallon bags or smaller) as long as they are next to the trash bins on pick-up day. 

Important Note: Limit is 10, 30-gallon bags.

For any trash-related questions, please call 281-420-5300. Representatives from the City of Baytown and Best Trash will be on hand to answer your questions.

You may submit a claim online or you may contact the Risk Management Division and request a claim form.

Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TMLIRP) is the City's insurance carrier. All liability claims are forwarded to TMLIRP by the City of Baytown’s Risk Management Division. Once your claim has been received, TMLIRP will assign an adjuster to handle your claim. The adjuster will contact you in a few business days.

You must complete a claim form and return it to the City's Risk Management Division. You should hear from our insurance adjuster within a few business days.

Once a claim form is received by Risk Management, we will open a claim with our insurance carrier, the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TMLIRP). If you do not hear from TMLIRP within 5 business days, you may contact them at 1-800-537-6655 or you may contact Risk Management at 281-420-5846.

No. Do not make repairs or incur other costs under the assumption that City will reimburse you when a claim is filed. Furthermore, you should not have repairs made or services performed and billed to the City. The City may settle a claim with you but it may not pay the costs of all the services that you ordered. The City also cannot approve a rental vehicle. That determination is made by Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TMLIRP). You may contact them at 1-800-537-6655 . It is our goal to address each claim as fairly and promptly as possible as we understand you may have been inconvenienced by this incident.

Depending on the complexity and the nature of your claim, it may take several days or weeks for the adjuster to conduct the investigation. An investigation may include a visit to the site for inspection and photographs, contact with the City Department or workers involved in the area or incident and follow up with you for additional information or documentation. Please allow a reasonable period of time to investigate and respond to your claim.

You will receive a written response to your claim from the assigned adjuster. Depending on the complexity and nature of your claim this may take several days or weeks. Should you have any questions or concerns about the results of their investigation or the status of your claim, please address these to the assigned adjuster or you may contact the Risk Management Division at 281-420-5846.

If your claim is valid and the City is legally obligated to pay, you will receive a letter advising you that your claim has been accepted. At this time the adjuster will advise you of the amount of the settlement and provide you with a Release of Claim Form. You must have your signature notarized and return the original Release to the assigned adjuster. Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TMLIRP) will send your settlement check.

If your claim is denied, you will receive a denial letter with an explanation of the reason(s) your claim was denied. There are situations where the City may not be responsible or obligated to pay your claim. For example, there may be another party responsible for the claim, a contractor may be doing work for the City and the contractor may be obligated to pay the claim.

The assigned adjuster will send you a claim acceptance letter with a Release of Claims Form which you must sign before a Notary Public and return the original to the adjuster. It may take several days after the receipt of your properly executed Release for the assigned adjuster to process your settlement check. Once you sign the Release and receive the settlement check your claim is concluded and is final.

Yes, the City often uses Independent Contractors and they may be responsible for damage they cause while performing work on behalf of the City. If an Independent Contractor is responsible for your damage, the assigned adjuster will provide you the name of the Independent Contractor.

Make sure the file you submit meets the criteria listed below, then send an email with the attached .STL file by clicking the Send File link on this page.

Original (patron created) designs. We recommend TinkerCAD and 3Dtin for free, easy-to-use browser based software. All designs must be family friendly and not under copyright. 

We can only print items that take 7 hours or less time to print. Also, the item can be no longer, taller, or wider than 6 inches in any direction. 

Email Lesley Kohles and Email Sam Barker, attach the .STL file and include your name and project color. Only one color can be used per .STL file.

Within one week of receipt. You will get an email as soon as it is ready.

3D printing services are free.

The library owns two 3D printers and is not able to manufacture items in bulk. Please limit your request to no more than two to three copies per item.

Email Samuel Barker

This portal will provide an easy self-service experience, allowing you a one-stop-shop way to pay and manage your utility account.

Customers can access the portal using the link on the Payments web page. Customer I.D. and account number is needed to create a profile.

Yes. When registering for a new online profile, your customer i.d. number and account number is required.

The customer number will stay with you as long as you stay in Baytown, but the account number will stay with the current property address. A new account number will be provided once the service is established at the new address.

No. Your services will stay the same. The new system was created to improve the customer experience and make it easier to pay and access your bill.

You can still pay your bill in person, by mail, and at night drop locations. You can also stop by Food Town, Walmart, Kroger, Joe V's, and Ace Cash to pay your bill.

No. Pay-by-phone service is no longer available.

Yes. In addition to looking at previous bills and your water and sewer usage, you will have the opportunity to go paperless, receive text or e-mail notifications about your bill, and so much more.

Microchips are the only permanent, reliable way to identify a lost pet. If your pet goes missing, a microchip helps to identify it so it can be reunited with you as soon as possible!

A microchip is a rice-sized radio frequency identification device (RFIC) quickly and painlessly inserted under your pet’s skin. It is not a GPS but a permanent form of ID that can be registered in 24Petwatch’s recovery database, which holds information about the pet and its owner.

Trained staff is available to implant microchips at Baytown Animal Services during normal business hours. Additionally, most vets can perform the procedure while your pet is awake and usually complete it during a routine visit. 

Baytown Animal Services ensures that your dog or cat is microchipped before adoption and automatically registered once you receive it. However, if you’re acquiring a pet somewhere else, please check with that organization or individual to see if the pet is microchipped and automatically registered to you once you receive it. 

Baytown Animal Services ensures that your dog or cat is microchipped before adoption and automatically registered once you receive your pet. However, if you’re acquiring a pet somewhere else, please check with that organization to see if the pet is microchipped, if it’s automatically registered, and if it’s automatically registered with you once you receive it. 

If the pet is microchipped but not registered to you automatically, you can register your microchip online.

It’s recommended to update information on your microchip any time there’s been a change in phone number, email address, or physical location. As a safeguard, checking your and your pet’s information on the microchip annually is recommended. That is the only way to ensure your pet can reunite with you as soon as possible if lost.

Yes, if you live in the city of Baytown, microchips are mandatory for each pet. Pet parents can be fined if their pets are not in compliance. Please check with your city or county animal services to see if your area requires them.

No. The City of Baytown’s microchip provider and registry, 24Petwatch, will not release your personal information to Good Samaritans without express consent, in accordance with Texas House Bill 2828.

If your pet is found, 24Petwatch will automatically contact you via an automated phone call, email, and text message if there is information on your lost pet. 24Petwatch will release pet parent and pet information to animal welfare professionals as they attempt to reunite you with your pet. 

Report the pet as missing with 24Petwatch. Log into your microchip account and mark your pet as “Lost.” You should also post your pet on Petco Love Lost and on groups such as Nextdoor, Facebook, or PawBoost. 

• Birth: $23 a copy for either type of Certified Form: Long or Short
• Death: $21 for the 1st copy and $4 for each additional copy

• Birth: Three copies per transaction (10 per Lifetime)
• Death: No limit

• Will need to provide valid State ID/DL
• Must be a qualified applicant
• “In Office” Application must be completed
• We are opened from 8:00 p.m. to 12 and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Call office 281-420-6504 ext. 8139

• Parents (valid ID)
• Grandparents (ID & birth certificate of your child)
• Siblings (ID & your birth certificate)
• Spouse (ID & marriage license)
• Children (ID & your birth certificate)

We cannot provide any information regarding birth or death records

Research your family information

• Long Form – Available only for children born within the city limits of Baytown
• Short Form – Available for anyone born in the state of Texas

Available only for individuals who passed away within the city limits of Baytown

1. Stay Safe: Do not attempt to move the obstruction yourself, especially if there are downed power lines or other hazards.
2. Report the Issue: Submit a service request to report the blockage through the Better Baytown app. 

Report these directly to your electric provider. 

Private Property: If the tree is on private property, the responsibility lies with the property owner or landlord. 

Public Property: Trees on public property, such as along streets or in parks, are the responsibility of the city.  Submit a tree issue through the Better Baytown app.

Debris should be neatly stacked in piles. Place your debris next to your front curb. Piles should not overhang the curb into the street or onto the sidewalk. 

The pickup zone will be updated weekly in the zones map. Please check the map regularly for the latest scheduled.

No. Please do not call to schedule a debris pickup. City crews are working diligently to collect debris around the city by zones, which will be updated weekly in the zones map.

City crews will collect the debris placed by the curb. Piles should not overhang the curb into the street or onto the sidewalk. Crews will not collect debris from private property.

No. Trash and recycling services will operate as usual. Trash and recycling collection days information. 

No. Please do not mix vegetation with construction material, as this will damage the brush grinder.

The Green Center is a facility where Baytown residents can drop off brush and other materials for disposal. Starting Tuesday, July 30, the Green Center will be open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm until further notice. Fees will also be waived for residents temporarily. For more information on accepted items, visit: www.Baytown.org/1227. 

The City of Baytown is recognized as a superior water system by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and continues to meet and exceed state and federal water quality standards. This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure safe drinking water for all customers. 

For years, the City’s water testing has shown the water is safe and meets or surpasses state and federal water quality standards. This includes testing for lead to ensure the water is safe to drink. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced new regulations that will require the replacement of all lead service lines in the near future.

A service line is a pipe that carries water from the city’s supply to your home. The city owns the service line from the main water supply to the meter, while the customer owns the service line from the meter into the home.

The Water Service Line Survey aims to identify the material your service line is made of to ensure that your residence meets current safety standards.

Lead is a natural element found on the earth and can be present in air, water, or soil. Human activities, like using lead in gas, paint, and pipes, have increased our exposure. Lead was commonly used in water service lines until the 1950s and in household plumbing fixtures until it was banned in 1988. While lead has not been detected in the water leaving the water treatment plant, lead can enter drinking water through old lead service lines or plumbing in older homes built before 1988.

Follow the three steps outlined on the Service Line upgrades web page to check if your home has lead service lines.

If your address is in a white circle, follow steps 2 and 3 on the Service Line Upgrades web page to survey your service line. If it's near an orange triangle, contact Public Works by emailing Utilities or call 281-420-5300.

Almost anything within city limits! Adoptions are reserved for public spaces such as streets, parks, medians, trails, coastlines, and waterways. Size of adoption areas are specific to the location and the volunteer group. 

No, adopting a spot is absolutely free! 

The program coordinator will contact you to discuss the site(s) you are considering. After deciding on a site, we help you get started with supplies and important information for your first cleanup.

Yes you can! Please contact Kourtney.Bonzo@Baytown.org to learn about our volunteer opportunities. You will be notified when any opportunity becomes available. 

Once we decide on your location and tasks, the program coordinator will have the group representative sign the Agreement & Commitment Form. Also, before each service day every volunteer must have a signed Volunteer liability waiver on file. They only need to fill it out once for life. 

Baytown residents can dispose of hazardous waste at the Household Hazardous Waste Event, held twice annually. For more information on future events and other disposal options, contact Public Works at 281-420-5300.

Baytown residents can dispose of these items at the Green Center, a waste disposal facility that accepts a variety of materials year-round. For more information on what is accepted and operating hours visit the Green Center web page.

Baytown residents can dispose of electronics, appliances, and lawn equipment at the Green Center, a local facility that accepts these items year-round. For more details on accepted items and operating hours, visit the Green Center web page.

No, this event is for residential disposal only. Businesses should contact a licensed hazardous waste disposal company for proper disposal.

The Household Hazardous Waste Event is available to Baytown residents within the city limits. Unfortunately, residents in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) are not eligible to participate. For other disposal options, please contact Public Works at 281-420-5300 for further guidance.

General Obligation bonds are debt instruments issued by states and city governments to finance large capital improvements. Bonds are sold to investors and the proceeds from the sales of these bonds are used to pay for major capital investments that have a public purpose—in previous Baytown Bond programs, these funds have been used to address drainage, parks, mobility and public safety projects. 

Bond elections provide voters the opportunity to have a say in which projects they are willing to support through the approval of bond propositions to authorize funding for each type of project on the ballot.

If voters approve the propositions, the bonds will require a tax rate increase of no more than 5 cents, spread out over the next five to seven years.

This will initially cost the average homeowner with a home valued at about $500,000 approximately $5 per month. This cost will increase annually, and by 2030, the monthly cost could rise to about $20 per month, excluding the impacts of property revaluation.

Tax Impact Calculator

This Property Tax Impact Calculator is provided as a general information tool to help you estimate the potential impact of tax increases due to the bond based on the values you enter. Please note that the calculator does not account for individual property revaluation, additional tax exemptions, or other factors that may affect your individual tax impact.

To find out what you’re allowed to build or do on a property, refer to the City’s Land Use Tables starting in Section 2.31 of the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC). The tables list permitted uses by zoning district. They indicate whether a use is:

• Allowed by right

• Not permitted

• Allowed with conditions (L)

• Allowed with a Special Use Permit (S)

The Land Use Tables function like a grid — match the zoning district (columns) with the use type (rows) to find your answer.

Use the City’s interactive GIS map to check a property's zoning:

• Turn on the ULDC – 2025 layer.

• Enter an address or County Parcel ID in the bottom-right search box.

• The zoning districts will appear color-coded on the map.

Refer to the ULDC:

• For residential zoning, see Section 2.21 – Residential District Dimensional Standards

• For nonresidential zoning, see Section 2.23 – Nonresidential District Dimensional Standards

These sections provide requirements such as:

• Minimum lot size

• Building setbacks

• Maximum height

• Minimum frontage

Property lines are shown on plats or surveys:

• A plat is a recorded legal document showing property boundaries.

• A survey is a detailed drawing prepared by a licensed professional.

You can hire a licensed surveyor, engineering firm, or architect to prepare these documents if you don’t already have them.

All applications must be submitted online through the City’s Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal:

• Create an account on CSS

• Choose “Apply for a Permit” or “Submit a Plan”, depending on the type of application

• Use the search bar to find specific applications

No paper applications are accepted — all materials must be uploaded through CSS.

Please refer to the City’s Planning Fee Schedule, available on our website.

Submittal deadlines vary depending on the type of application and when you want it processed:

• Plat applications: Submit by the second-to-last Tuesday of the month to be reviewed the following month.

• Other planning applications (e.g., Zoning Map Amendments, Special Use Permits, Variances, etc.): Submit by the second Tuesday of the month.

Make sure all required documents are included to avoid delays.