In which court is a case filed when a home-rule city sues an owner for noncompliance with municipal ordinances on fire protection, structural integrity, zoning, or disposal of refuse?

• A. District Court under Chapter 54
• B. County Court at Law
• C. Court of Criminal Appeals
• D. Texas Supreme Court

Answer: (A)

Enforcement of a home-rule city’s municipal ordinances against a private owner is a civil action aimed at compliance and abatement. In Texas, suits brought by a political subdivision to enforce ordinances and address nuisances fall under Chapter 54 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and the proper venue for such civil enforcement actions is the district court. This is the forum that handles broad civil remedies like injunctive relief to compel compliance with ordinances on fire protection, structural integrity, zoning, or disposal of refuse. The other courts do not fit: the Court of Criminal Appeals handles criminal matters, the Texas Supreme Court handles appeals, and a County Court at Law typically handles different civil matters or smaller claims but not this specific enforcement framework.