1.What are the residential building setback requirements? Generally, front and rear yards must be 25 feet; side yards seven feet from the property line. Reduced yards are allowed in older parts of town.

2.Where can I build an accessory building? Accessory buildings, sheds, etc., may be built only in a rear yard and must be at least five feet from the property line(s).

3.What is the maximum size for an accessory building? For lots of one-half acre or less, the maximum size for an accessory building is 1,000 square feet. Larger buildings may be built on larger lots. No more than two such buildings are allowed on a single lot and their total area may not exceed the maximum size permitted.

4.Where can I place a manufactured home? Manufactured homes are allowed throughout Cameron providing they are at least 20 feet wide, have at least a 4-12 roof pitch, have a one-foot roof overhang, and be placed on a permanent foundation. However, some subdivision covenants may prohibit such homes.

5.Can I place signs in my front yard? Yes. Two residential yard signs are allowed having no more than six square feet each. The maximum height is 15 feet. You can also place one sign on your home no bigger than one square foot. Signs must be kept on private property and not in the street right-of-way.

6.How many parking spaces do we need? Most homes, duplexes, apartments and mobile homes must have two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit including garages, carports and driveways.

7.Can I park on the grass or in my front yard? No. All parking surfaces must be improved with at least gravel. Front yard parking is allowed only on a driveway leading to a garage. A permit is required and the portion of the driveway from the curb or pavement to your property line must be concrete.

8.How long may a non-conforming use continue? Indefinitely, as long as the use continues and it is not enlarged. If the use stops for a year or more, it must conform to the uses permitted in the zoning district. Such uses are said to be “grandfathered”.

9.What type of businesses is allowed to be operated from home? Allowable home occupations include home offices, tailoring, tutoring, telephone sales, arts & crafts, and daycare. No merchandise may be displayed or sold on-site. A City occupation license is required. Prohibited activities include auto repair, retail shops, beauty shops and kennels.

10.Can I park my semi-tractor at home? No. Trucks with licensed weight greater than 24,000 pounds may not be parked in a residential district including residential streets. Construction equipment such as dozers and backhoes are also prohibited in residential districts except on active construction sites.

11.What are the rules for garage sales? Garage sales may not last longer than three days, must be conducted on the owner’s property, and may not offer consignment goods. Garage & yard sales are limited to two per year at a single location.

12.How many children can I care for in my home? A “Family child care home” is limited to four children unrelated to the provider. A City occupation license is required. A state license is needed to care for additional children.

13.How do I obtain a variance? Submit an “Application for Appeal/Variance” to the Board of Adjustment. Forms are available at City Hall or on line at this site. You must show exceptional hardship not of your own making. Public notice and a public hearing is required. The process takes 30-45 days.

14.How can I get a zoning change? Submit a “Request for Zoning Map Amendment” to the Planning and Zoning Commission which will make a recommendation to the City Council. Forms are on line or at City Hall. Public notice and a public hearing is required. The process takes 30-60 days.

15.What are the residential fence rules? Residential fences can be six feet high in side and rear yards, and four feet high in front yards. The smooth side must face outward. No electric or barbed wire fences are allowed. A building permit is required.

16.Can I store an unlicensed car outside? No. Inoperative or unlicensed vehicles may be parked no more than 48 hours on public property, and no more than 72 hours outdoors on private property. You can, however, keep an unlicensed car in your garage.

17.Can I display merchandise on the sidewalk. Yes, but you must leave a straight, unobstructed 5-foot-wide path for pedestrians. Such merchandise may be displayed on public sidewalks only during business open hours and only in the C-1 (downtown) district.

18.How much is a building permit? For new construction: Sq. ft. x .2 = Fee. For remodeling: Sq. ft. x .1 = Fee. Permits for accessory buildings, decks, fences, pools, etc. use a fee schedule.

19.How many dogs may I have? You are allowed no more than two dogs over six months of age.

20.Does Cameron provide recycling? Yes. Permanent drop-off for recyclables is located at Sutherland Lumber and curbside pickup is provided every two weeks. The City offers plastic recycling bins for a $3.00 deposit. Clinco Industries provides processing and a work release crew transports materials. There is a 75-cent charge per household on your City utility bill for recycling.

21.Do I need a permit to demolish a building? Yes. Contact the City Inspector at City Hall. Make sure you contact all utilities to disconnect service. There is a $500 refundable permit fee.

22.Can I put a sign in the street right-of-way? No. Private signage is not permitted in the street right-of-way, median, parkway or intersection. No posters or signs may be affixed to utility poles or traffic signs. The City Manager may authorize certain signage for public events.

23.Is a permit required for door-to-door salesmen? Yes. All peddlers must obtain a City license after a background check and must observe a “no soliciting” sign. Churches, schools, clubs and organizations are exempt.

24.Does the City allow us to keep exotic animals? No. Cameron’s Dangerous Animal ordinance prohibits big cats, bears, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, foxes, poisonous reptiles and monkeys in the city limits.

25.When is trash picked up? Cameron provides weekly trash pickup through a city-contracted vendor for which all households pay a monthly fee. Businesses arrange their own trash service. The pickup day varies depending on where you live in the City. Contact City Hall for the schedule. Following most holidays, the schedule is delayed one day.

26.Are fences required around swimming pools? In-ground pools must have a fence and self-closing gate. Above-ground pools need only a self-closing gate if they have a deck or steps.

27.Is livestock allowed in Cameron? Yes. Livestock are limited to two head per acre with a maximum of six head. Poultry and small animals are limited to 12 animals in a 144 square-foot pen. Swine are prohibited and distance requirements apply. Barbed wire and electric fences are prohibited. A permit is required.

28.Do driveways have to be paved? No. Driveways must at least have an improved four-inch gravel surface; however the driveway section between the street pavement and the property line must be concrete. Permit required.

29.Can I keep my RV at home? Yes. Cameron does not prohibit storage of RV’s, boats, jet-skis, or other properly-licensed vehicles in residential districts. You must obey the parking rules: All parking surfaces must be at least graveled; no parking in front yards except on a driveway leading to a garage; no one may reside in the RV.

30.Are flashing signs allowed? No. Flashing and blinking signs are prohibited. However electronic message boards are allowed which may scroll, wipe, fade, and crawl, among other features, providing they are not confused with traffic signs.

31.When can we put up political signs? Anytime. Municipalities may not regulate the message on a sign. While we may regulate sign height, size, lighting, location, and materials, our rules must be “content neutral”. Political signs must observe the same rules as all other signage in Cameron. No private signs are allowed on public property including parkways, medians, utility poles and traffic signs.

32.Does Cameron have a leash law? Dogs must be under the immediate control of the owner at all times and are not allowed to run free.

33.When is Municipal Court held? Generally, Municipal Court is conducted on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month beginning at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Contact the Court Clerk at City Hall for more information.

34.Is a building permit needed for remodeling? A building permit is required if electrical, HVAC, plumbing, foundations, roofing, additions or structural components are affected. Permits are also needed for decks, pools, garages, porches, fences, storage buildings, driveways and sidewalks.

35.Does Cameron have a dog pound? Yes. The animal shelter houses both dogs and cats, many of which are available for adoption through Safe Haven. Contact the Animal Control Officer or Police Department to report animals running at large, unlicensed dogs, or nuisance violations. All dogs must be licensed and vaccinated.

36.Are Pit Bulls allowed? No. Pit Bulls and similar breeds are prohibited.

37.Is there a limit on the number of cats? There is no limit; however cats may not be allowed to run at large. Cats are not licensed.

38.Is there a curfew? Yes. Unsupervised minors under 17 cannot be out after 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday or after Midnight on Friday or Saturday nights unless going to/from work, school, or church. Parents are also liable for allowing such minors out after hours.

39.What are the rules regarding weeds? Any vegetation over seven inches tall is considered a “rank weed” and a nuisance and subject to court summons and fine.

40.Who is responsible for repairing a broken sidewalk? The property owner adjoining the public sidewalk is responsible for its upkeep and repair. The City may split the cost of sidewalk replacement with property owners during certain seasons. The offer does not apply to new sidewalk construction. Contact the Public Works Department for an application. The program is limited by funding.

41.How can I get curb and gutter for my street? The City may split curb construction costs with property owners along City streets. Usually several property owners are required in order to connect improvements and the City prefers that both sides of the street be improved. Contact to Public Works Department for an application. The program has funding limits.

42.How do I go about dividing or selling some of my property? Cameron’s Subdivision Ordinance provides for simple lot splits, minor subdivisions, platting, and the review process. Simple changes can be done by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Larger plans require approval by the City Council. Contact the Zoning Officer for information. Title companies can also help.

43.Can I connect my downspout to the sanitary sewer? No. Downspouts, perimeter drains, foundation drains and other storm water collection systems must drain to daylight, to the street, gutter or City storm water system. Only sinks, tubs, toilets and normal household fixtures may be connected to the sanitary sewer system.

44.Do I need a permit to build a driveway? Yes. The part of the driveway between the curb or pavement and your property (usually, back of sidewalk) must be six-inch reinforced concrete. The driveway segment on your property may be gravel, asphalt or concrete. The drive must lead directly to a garage, carport or parking area in a side or rear yard.

45.Is farming allowed in Cameron? Yes. An agricultural district must be at least 20 acres and usual farming and ranching practices are allowed.

46.What is required for annexation? Voluntary annexation is a simple matter of the landowner(s) writing a letter and asking to be annexed. There is no fee and the process is short. The property must be adjacent to the city. Involuntary or forced annexation requires one or more votes both inside and outside the city.

47.Can I install a septic tank? Only if you have 20 acres or more and City sewer is not available. Private sewage treatment systems are discouraged.

48.Will the City extend water or sewer to my property? Generally, it is the developer or property owner’s responsibility to extend utilities, streets and infrastructure. Cost-sharing is possible with other property-owners.

49.Do I need a City license for my business? Yes. All businesses, whether in a commercial district or operated from home, need a City Occupation license. Apply at City Hall. Off-street parking may be required and business type is restricted in certain districts.

50.How do I adopt a pet? A group of dedicated volunteers operates SafeHaven in conjunction with the Cameron Animal Shelter. Contact www.petfinder.com for the current list of animals.

51.What kind of recreational facilities does Cameron have? Multiple parks, YMCA, golf, tennis, swimming, picnicking, Wallace State Park, campsites, boating, fishing, team sports for youth and adult; aerobics, hiking. Click “recreation” on the opening page of this site for more information and links.

52.Does the City have a local purchase preference policy? The City enjoys buying locally consistent with its fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers. The City offers local vendors a 2%-5% benefit.

53.Are sidewalks required in Cameron? Only recently has Cameron adopted a sidewalk ordinance requiring 5-foot concrete sidewalks in new subdivisions. Where sidewalks exist in Cameron, they must be maintained by the adjoining property owner.

54.Will the City pave my alley? The City will maintain existing public alleys whether paved or gravel. The cost of any new pavement must be borne by the adjoining landowners. Any new alleys must be paved and have curb & gutter.

55.My alley was never improved. Can it be vacated? Unimproved streets and alleys may be vacated and, generally, the property is given back to the adjoining property owners. All adjoining owners must sign a petition asking for the vacation.

56.Can I use an old trailer as a sign board? No unlicensed vehicle, van or trailer may be used as a sign or sign support. A licensed vehicle which is legally parked may be adorned as the owner chooses.