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Applications and Permits

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1. What is the subdivision (platting) process and how long does it take?

The Subdivision Regulations (Part III-A of the Code of Ordinance) apply to all property within the corporate limits of the city of Anna as well as areas outside of the corporate limits of the city, but within the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the city. The subdivision or platting process can take one month to several months depending on many factors. Please call the Planning and Development Department at 972-924-3325 to discuss in more detail.

2. How do I verify if my property has been platted?

Start by checking with Collin County Central Appraisal District (www.collincad.org). Once on the website click on the Property Records search option which gives you the option to search for real property by account number, address or owner name. Once you have found the property, open the record and look beneath the owner’s name, mailing address and location, and look at the legal description. If the description includes a subdivision name as well as lot and block, it is likely that the property is platted. If the description includes information such as tracts or abstract, it is likely that the property is not platted. To view the plat or abstract map, you can also click Plat Map or Plat Map Image beneath the Maps and Forms section of the property page. Please contact the Planning and Development Department at 972-924-3325 to verify whether or not your property is platted.

3. What is the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)?

Extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) means all land situated within one mile in all directions from the corporate boundary of the city and its extensions, and which is not in conflict with the ETJ of another municipality, or with any duly executed boundary agreement with another incorporated municipality. A city’s ETJ is essentially the area outside a city’s corporate limits but within the ultimate planning area. Generally, it can be thought of as a ring around Anna which enables the city to regulate subdivision of land, however, it does not allow for zoning regulation.

4. Where can I find the Planning and Development Fee Schedule?

Please view by clicking here for the Fee Schedule

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City Secretary

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1. How do I request public records from the city of Anna?

Public records, City Council resolutions and ordinances, and other information can be requested by submitting the Records and Information Request Form to the City Secretary's Office. Records and Information Request Form

2. When is the next election for City Council?

City Council serves in 3 year terms. The next election will be in May of 2012.

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Code Enforcement

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1. What is a Code Enforcement Officer?

A Code Enforcement Officer is a person authorized by the City Council to perform the duties prescribed in the Code of Ordinances. These duties include: routine inspections of properties located within the city limits; issue all necessary notices or orders to ensure compliance with the Code of Ordinances; shall keep official records of all business and activities of the department specified in the provisions of the Code of Ordinances.

2. What is the proceedure for notifying a property owner of a violation?

Once a violation is discovered, a letter is sent to the property owner of record (all property owner information is researched through Collin County Appraisal District www.collincad.org). The property owner is given ten (10) days to correct the violation. If the violation is not corrected within the allotted time, a citation is sent to the property owner. The Code Enforcement Officer will continue to monitor the situation and cite the property owner until the violation is corrected.

3. I received a letter in the mail from the Code Enforcement Dept., what should I do?

The letter should explain what the violation is, and what needs to be done to correct it. If you have any questions, or feel you have received the letter in error, please contact the Code Enforcement Dept. at 972.924.3325

4. I received a citation in the mail from the Code Enforcement Dept., what should I do?

The letter included with the citation will explain why the citation was sent out. Normally it means that a violation was not corrected within the allotted time given. If you receive a citation, you should correct the violation as soon as possible. At the bottom of the citation are instructions for contacting the Municipal Court. If you have any questions, you can contact the Code Enforcement Dept. at 972.924.3325.

5. I would like to report a possible violation to the Code Enforcement Dept.?

To report a possible violation, you can call 972.924.3325 and speak with the Code Enforcement Officer. You may also leave a message if no one is available to answer your call. You can also print out the Code Violation Complaint Form and return it to our office by email, regular mail, or fax (972.924.2620). All reports of possible violations will be followed up with an inspection of the property in question.

6. Where can I view the Code of Ordinances?

The Code of Ordinances (Property Maintenance Codes, Zoning Ordinance, Sign Regulations, etc.) can be found on the webiste under City Ordinances. Link to City Ordinances

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Development Regulations

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1. What is the purpose of zoning?

Zoning is the practice of dividing an area into districts within which regulations and requirements uniformly govern the use, placement, spacing and size of land and buildings. Zoning is most often utilized to protect properties from incompatible adjacent land uses and to preserve the “character” of a community.

2. What is a zoning district?

A Zoning District defines the types of primary and accessory uses that can be developed and what types of development standards will govern that use. Development standards include but are not limited to lot size, lot width, setbacks, heights of structures and buildings, lot coverage and screening.

3. How can I found out what my property is zoned?

You can determine the zoning of a property by looking at the zoning map (on webite)
Then refer to Part III-C of the Code of Ordinances for District Regulations. Additionally, you can call the Planning and Development Department at 972-924-3325 or send an email to Maurice Schwanke (see staff directory) if you need additional information regarding zoning.

4. What is my property zoned if I live in the ETJ?

There are no zoning districts in the ETJ. The city’s zoning authority does not extend to its ETJ. However, the city’s Subdivision Regulations (Part III-A of the Code of Ordinances) do extend to the ETJ. Link to Subdivision Regulations

5. How can citizens participate in the zoning process?

One of the principal functions of municipal government is to encourage citizen participation within the framework of local government operations and decision making. During a public hearing, the applicant and people in favor of or opposed to the zoning request may present their views.
In addition to speaking at the public hearing, you may also send letters to the Commission and Council either directly or through the Planning and Development Office or the City Secretary Office, or you may discuss the case with the Planning and Development Staff @ 972-924-3325.
A petition is a more formal process of registering your support for or opposition to a zoning request. A petition may influence the Planning and Zoning Commission and/or the City Council's decision. A petition becomes a permanent part of the case and must be filed with the City Secretary.
Regardless of the type of petition, there is no legal effect on the Planning and Zoning Commission's vote. A simple majority vote recommending approval or denial of a zoning request is all that is required of the Commission. However, the Commission's decision may be influenced by petitions of support or opposition.
Petitions of support may influence final Council action, but they have no legal effect. Petitions of opposition submitted to the City Secretary, that are properly notarized and meet state and local criteria will invoke a required three-fourths vote of approval to permit a change. In order to invoke the mandatory three-fourths approval, the petition must be signed by the owners of at least 20 percent of either:
? the total area of the land (whether platted or otherwise) included within the boundaries of the proposed change; or,
? the total area of the land (whether platted or otherwise) outside of the boundaries of the proposed change and within 200 feet of any point of the land proposed to be changed.
Only one vote per lot in support or opposition per owner is permitted. The "owner" is the owner shown on the city's most recently approved ad valorem tax roles. For example, if John Doe appears as the owner on the tax rolls, then the signature on the petition should be John Doe. If joint ownership appears on the tax rolls, i.e., John and Mary Doe, then John Doe and/or Mary Doe should sign the petition. Additionally, the person who collected the petitioners' signatures should sign a sworn notarized statement that he/she witnessed the petition being signed by the petitioners.

6. How does the Planning & Zoning Commission review zoning cases?

The Planning and Zoning Commission is an appointed advisory body to the City Council. The Commission normally meets:
The first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Anna City Hall (Community Room) Administration Building
111 North Powell Parkway
The applicant or a representative is expected to attend the Commission hearing and typically make a short presentation supporting the request.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will attempt to reach a decision recommending approval or denial of the zoning change on the night of the hearing. If more time is needed, the Planning and Zoning Commission may either continue the public hearing to a future date or table the case.

7. How does the City Council review zoning cases?

If the Commission recommends approval of a zoning change request, or an amended version of the request, the case is automatically forwarded to City Council for another public hearing. The Council's public hearing is typically held three weeks after the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing. City Council public hearings are held during regular Council meetings. The Council meets:
Second and Fourth Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Anna City Hall (Community Room) Administration Building
111 North Powell Parkway
The applicant or a representative is expected to attend the Council public hearing to make a presentation supporting the request. After the public hearing, the Council may vote on the request for approval, table the request, or deny the request.

8. If zoning changes on a property, what is the effective date of the new zoning?

After the request is approved the Ordinance is effective on the publication date.

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Economic Development

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1. Does the EDC and/or the city of Anna offer incentives?

Yes, each request for an incentive is handled specific to the requestor. To learn more contact Jessica Perkins

2. What is the population of Anna? Five minute drive time?

Anna proper has 8,300 residents. The five minute drive has 14,000.

3. What is the city of Anna's sales tax rate and breakdown?

The city of Anna's sales tax rate 8.25%
The state of Texas sales tax 6.25%
City Standard General Fund sales Tax 1%
Anna Economic Development Corporation Sales Tax 1/2%
Anna Community Development Corporation Sales Tax 1/2%

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Finance

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1. What is the fiscal year for the city?

The city's fiscal year is October 1 to September 30.

2. What is the city of Anna's sales tax rate and breakdown?

The city of Anna's sales tax rate 8.25%
The state of Texas sales tax 6.25%
The city's Standard General Fund sales tax 1%
Anna Economic Development Corporation sales tax 1/2%
Anna Community Development Corporation sales tax 1/2%

3. What is the city of Anna's property tax rate and breakdown?

The city of Anna’s 2011 property tax rate is $0.650332 per $100 of valuation. The rate is broken down to support the general fund (maintenance and operations or M&O) and debt service (interest and sinking or I&S).

M&O rate: .559376
I&S rate: .090956

4. What is the average taxable value for a home in Anna?

The average taxable value on a home in the city of Anna for 2011 is $112,138. Taxes for the average home is $728.37.

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Fire Department

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1. Is it legal to discharge fireworks inside the city limits?

No, discharging fireworks inside the city limits is prohibited.

2. Is it legal to burn inside the city limits?

No, outdoor burning is prohibited. No person shall kindle or maintain any bonfire, rubbish fire or outdoor burn or authorize any such fire to be kindled or maintained upon any premises within the city limits.

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Home Page FAQ

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1. I want to have a garage sale. What do I need to do?

The city no longer requires a garage sale permit, however, our city codes do still regulate garage sales. Please limit your garage sales to 4 per year and each individual garage sale cannot last longer than 3 days. You may put out signs, however, you need to collect the signs within 24 hrs. after the garage sale otherwise you could get a fine from our code enforcement officer.

2. How do I report a Street Light Outage?

The Electrical Provider for your area needs to be contacted to fix a Street Light Outage. Click here for more information.

3. About Anna's logo...

Interested in how the logo was created to represent our history and show our aspirations for the future? Read more hear...

4. How do I report a noise complaint like a barking dog or loud music?

Barking Dogs or other types of Noise Complaints (loud music, etc):

The city of Anna often receives complaints about neighborhood noise, including barking dogs. Dog owners, please take responsibility for your pets and be courteous to your neighbors. Residents who have concerns about barking dogs or other types of neighborhood noise can seek relief by using the following procedures.

First, the city recommends that the offended party talk with the neighbor. If you are not comfortable talking to the neighbor or you are unable to get some relief, contact the Police Department when the noise is taking place by calling 972-547-5350. An Officer will be sent out to meet with you, and you can point out the offending address. That way the neighbor can be made aware that their noise is offending someone.

If that does not resolve the issue, loud noise violations are filed directly by the offended citizen in the Municipal Court. The complaint form for the offended party to fill out is available below. Simply print the form/fill it out, but leave it unsigned. Bring the completed (unsigned ) form during normal business hours to the City Annex/Police Department (101 S Powell Pkwy) and you will swear to and sign the form in front of a Notary Public at the Court. It will then take some time to process the complaint, set up hearing dates, etc. (Note: Before driving over, call 972-924-3325 to make sure there is someone at the Court that can help you.)

If you decide to file a complaint, please remember to document all dates and times that you are offended. Video or audio recording of the offense(s) should help you with your case should it go to trial in the Municipal Court.
Complaint Form Click Here

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Human Resources

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1. Do I have to provide a response to all employment application questions?

All the information requested on the application is required. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete

2. Once I have submitted my application, what happens next?

After submitting your application, it will be evaluated by the Department Manager. The evaluation is designed to assess the applicant’s job-related knowledge, skills and abilities to assure that the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the position as stated in the Job Opportunity Announcement.

3. May I submit a resume and be called when something becomes available in my field?

No. The Human Resources Department does not keep resumes on file. We encourage applicants to check our website, on a regular basis so they are aware of all openings for which they might be interested. We do keep applications on file for two years for record keeping purposes. An application that is submitted for a certain position will not automatically be re-submitted if the same position opens up again in the future. To re-submit an application, you will need to call or visit our office. We only accept applications for positions which are currently open for recruitment.

4. Once I have applied for a poistion, will I be contacted?

You will only be contacted if you are chosen for an interview. Police and Fire applicants are given notification of testing dates and times as they apply or by mail after applying. Successful completion of a physical agility and written test are required (for Police and Fire positions) before they can go further in the hiring process. Due to the fact that the city of Anna often receives a large number of applications for posted positions, the application review process can take several weeks. Please be patient. We want to give each application the consideration it deserves.

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Municipal Court

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1. How do I pay a ticket?

You can come into our Municipal Court office at 101 S. Powell Parkway to pay your ticket by cash, check or money order.

You can also mail your payment in to:

City of Anna - Municipal Court
P.O. Box 776
Anna, TX 75409

2. I received a ticket, how much is it?

Please view the Fine Schedule for the cost. Fine Schedule

3. I received a jury summons, what do I do now?

If you receive a jury summons, you will need to appear on the date and time that is listed on that summons. If you are eligible for exemption, simply fill out the form front and back and mail it back.

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Parks & Recreation

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1. How do I reserve a pavilion at a city park?

Please fill out the reservation form and return it to Judy Richardson at 3223 N. Powell Parkway along with your deposit. Call 972-924-4510 if you have questions. Pavilion Reservation Form

2. Can I host a special event at the park? How do I do that?

City parks can be used for special events. The applicant will first need to fill out the Special Event Application and then receive approval from the Parks Board and City Council. Special Event Applciation

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Planning and Development

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1. What is the Comprehensive Plan and what does it do?

The City of Anna’s Comprehensive Plan is a document developed from community input and the leadership of Anna to guide decision-making for Anna’s future growth and development. The document is a guide for decision-makers – City Staff, the City’s elected and appointed leadership, Anna residents and investors in the community – regarding City policies and issues related to land use, transportation, urban design, parks and recreation and infrastructure. The Comprehensive Plan reflects the vision of what Anna residents want their community to be and how it should be achieved. Link to Comprehensive Plan

2. What are Impact Fees?

Impact Fees are authorized under Chapter 395 of the Texas Local Government Code and are defined as a charge imposed against new development to pay for the off-site construction or expansion of infrastructure facilities that are necessitated by and benefit the new development.

3. Where can I find a submittal date and application schedule listing?

Please view by clicking here.

4. Who assigns street addresses?

Addresses are assigned by the city of Anna Planning and Development Department after lots have been platted. Please contact the Planning and Development Department at 972-924-3325 or click here

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Police Department

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1. How do I get a copy of my driving record?

Driving records are not maintained by local agencies. They are maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). To obtain a certified copy of your driving record on line, go here: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/driverlicense/

2. How do I get a copy of a traffic accident report?

For information regarding a copy of an accident report, please contact Records @ 972-924-2848 during normal business hours. You can also come by the Police Department at 101 S Powell Pkwy between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You will have to fill out an Information Request and there is a $6 fee (set by the legislature) before a copy can be provided.

3. How do I get a copy of my police report?

If you filed a police report, you can have a copy of the public version. Simply stop by and fill out an open records request. There is no fee for this service unless you are a third party.

4. Are there registered Sex Offenders living in my neighborhood?

Go to our "Sex Offender" listing to see if one of our registered sex offenders lives near you. It is on the "Important Information and Links" page.

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Public Works

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1. How do I report a street light outage?

Contact the Public Works office at 972-924-4510 or fill in this form. Please include an address, intersection, or pole number.

2. Who do I call before I dig?

For water and sewer line locates, call the Public Works dept. @ 972.924.4510. For all other locates such as cable, phone, etc., call 1.800.DIG.TESS

3. Why is the water soft?

The city’s water source is well water, it is the mineral compounds in the water which makes it “soft”.

4. Who do I call if I think I have a water leak?

Contact the Public Works department @ 972.924.4510.

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Utility Billing

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1. How do I get new water service?

Fill out this form

2. How do I disconnect water service?

Fill out this form

3. Who offers cable, internet, phone and other similar services?

list here

4. Why is my bill so high?

There are many reasons why your bill can be higher than expected. The most common reasons are due to the number of people living in the house or a leak on the property. To check for a leak, turn off all the taps in your house, look at your meter and if it is still turning, chances are you have a leak somewhere. If you have a leak you will need to contact a plumber to have it repaired.

It is also very important that you are aware of your consumption. If you disagree or are unaware of the amount of water you are using, we suggest that you take readings on your meter to make sure that they are following in line with the readings printed on your bills. It is also important to be conservative with your water consumption. The average person uses over 50 gallons of water per day. Up to 2 gallons of water are wasted alone just by leaving the faucet running while you brush your teeth. If you brush twice daily, that equals 120 gallons per month. Now, you can multiply that by the number of people living in your home. There are many ways to conserve water, and you are helping the environment, and you wallet!

Click here for 100 ways to conserve water:
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php

5. I am having trouble signing up for ebill pay?

When registering on ebill you will need to enter your account number exactly as is, including the decimal and the zeros. You will also need your pin number which will be located in the middle where the crease is, you can also call us and we will porovide you with your PIN.

6. Why does my ebill payment appear to have gone through twice?

In order for your payment to go through, you will receive a confirmation number and if it prompts you to enter it again STOP! Do not enter it again because there was a problem with the first payment.

7. I am having trouble paying my bill, can I set up a payment arrangement, and how long can I extend it?

Each household is allowed four Payment Arrangements per year. The furthest you can extend your payment is one week past the disconnect date.

*If your bill is due on the 15th of every month your cut off date is the 25th. Disconnection will be on the 26th. On the 16th day of the month you will receive late fees, regardless if you fill out an extension.

If your payment arrangement has not been met by the date you asked for, service will be disconnected the next day and a $50.00 Reconnection Fee will be applied.

*If your bill is due on the 1st of every month your cut off date is the 10th. Disconnection will be on the 11th. On the 2nd day of the month your will receive late fees, regardless if you fill out and extension.

If your payment arrangement has not been met by the date you asked for, service will be disconnected the next day and a $50.00 Reconnection Fee will be applied.
When disconnect days fall on a weekend or holiday, Payments, Emails, Faxes, and Payment Arrangements must be in the Office or DROP BOX before your cut off date. You are also able to email any of the customer service representatives with the following information if you are not able to fill one out in the office or out by the drop box.

Payments made through our website on E-Bill after 9:00 am will NOT to be downloaded again until 4:00 pm. If you have paid after 9:00 am and have been disconnected, you will owe a $50.00 Reconnection Fee during hours and $100.00 after hours before service can be reconnected