Frequently Asked Questions

To find your councilmember, view the City Council Interactive Map.

A:  Birth certificates are handled by Dallas County. You can request a copy online, by mail, or in person. For more information, visit the Dallas County Birth Certificates page.

Marriage licenses are issued by Dallas County. You can apply in person at the Dallas County Clerk's office. For more information, visit the Dallas County Marriage Licenses page.

A: Death certificates are issued by Dallas County. You can request a copy online, by mail, or in person. For more details, visit the Dallas County Death Certificates page.

A: Visit the Alcoholic Beverage Permit page to learn how to apply.

A: View the Master Fee Schedule.

Pleas:

• Guilty - You admit that the act is prohibited by law, that you committed the act charged, and that you have no defense or excuse for your act.
• Nolo contendere / no contest - You do not contest the state's charge against you. While it is not an admission by you that you are guilty, it will result in a conviction on your record.
• Not guilty - You are informing the court that you deny guilt or that you have a good defense, and that the state must prove what is charged against you.

If you wish to plead not guilty or get further information on your options by setting a court date, you must either appear in person within 20 days at the court clerk's office or submit a written request. The court has a form for you to use under online forms, this form can be electronically sent along with a copy or picture of your photo ID.

Juveniles must appear in person before the judge and should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Juveniles do not have to take action on a citation within 20 days. Notice of their court date and time will be mailed by the clerk to the address shown on the citation. Options are available for a counseling class for dismissal of some juvenile offenses.

Walk in court is held once a month based on scheduling. This is an opportunity for defendants that have outstanding warrants or delinquent cases to speak to the prosecutor/judge to resolve their case. The court requires that you contact the court clerk at (972)218-1334 so that we can have your case information available. You will not be arrested if you voluntarily come to court to resolve your case.

Yes, but only if you wish to pay the full amount. If you have been ordered by the court to pay a reduced amount or have requested a Driver's Safety Course or a Deferral, do not pay online. Call the court directly to make your payment. If you pay online there are no refunds, and the processing fee is not refundable. The court direct line is 972-218-1334.

In person at 700 E Main St. Lancaster, TX 75134 

To apply for a position with the City of Lancaster, you must submit the application online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lancastertx. Can find this link on the website homepage  when you select the employment button. (Applications are only accepted for current vacancies).

No, the Human Resources Office recruits for available openings. However, the department that is hiring is responsible for selecting its interview candidates.

A resume must be attached  to your application, as it is a standard requirement. 

Time periods may vary depending on the job for which you apply and the number of applicants who have applied. Please review the information on the

The hiring range and the position range are listed in the job posting. The only instance that salary will not be posted will depend  on qualifications and if it’s a non-graded position. 

Confirmations are provided to online applicants via email. You may also contact the Human Resources Department at (972) 275-1794.

Jobs that have been closed will be removed from the Career Center page. You may also obtain this information by contacting the Human Resources Department at (972) 275-1794.

Permit costs are determined by the cost of construction of your particular project according to Table 1A as adopted by the City of Lancaster.

Yes, depending on the particular project, inspections of various phases are required during construction. When you are issued your permit to begin your project you will be advised what inspections are required.

You may apply for a permit at 211 N Henry St., Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM till 5:00 PM.

Room additions, storage buildings, accessory buildings, garages additions, reproofing, irrigation systems, swimming pools both in-ground and above ground, fences, driveway additions and replacement, electrical, mechanical or plumbing projects, and foundation repair.

The Lancaster Fire Department provides 24/7 emergency response services, including fire suppression, emergency medical assistance, rescue operations, and community risk reduction. These services are delivered by trained professionals following established safety standards, with the daily mission of protecting residents, visitors, and first responders.

The City of Lancaster Fire Department currently has a limited supply of smoke detectors for city residents.  Please note:  We have battery operated detectors only, not the typical hard-wired variety installed in most homes. Call the LFD Secretary to schedule an appointment at (972) 218-2601.

The American Red Cross installs detectors for homeowners as well.  Request free smoke alarms today:  RedCross.org/NTXAlarmRequest 

You can also scan the QR Code on the Red Cross Flyer:  American Red Cross Smoke Detectors

Daily operations are guided by staffing evaluations, call-volume trends, equipment readiness, and regional coordination. These assessments are conducted routinely and allow the department to adjust resources proactively to maintain reliable service levels.

Knox box pricing starts at $459.00 (this does NOT include shipping, handling & tax). The Knox Box is obtained online only at www.knoxbox.com 

Most likely the battery needs to be changed. It is a good idea to change the batteries every six months. If smoke detectors continue beeping after adding fresh batteries, it could be time to replace them. It is recommended that smoke alarms be replaced after 8 to 10 years.

“Out of Service” is a standard preventive safety designation used when a vehicle or piece of equipment is undergoing inspection, maintenance, repair, or operational review. This process ensures all equipment meets required safety and performance standards before being placed into service.

Extended downtime is typically the result of safety driven decisions such as waiting on specialized parts completing certified repairs scheduling inspections or coordinating upgrades. In some cases, timelines are influenced by manufacturer availability vendor scheduling or long-term fleet planning. Time out of service reflects careful oversight.

Reserve or non primary vehicles are contingency assets maintained to support operations during peak demand, large scale incidents, training activities, or when frontline vehicles are temporarily unavailable. They are not assigned to daily response and are managed separately as part of responsible fleet planning.

Ongoing training ensures personnel remain qualified, confident, and prepared to respond safely and effectively. Training is a core component of readiness and supports the responsible use of equipment and resources.

Because reserve vehicles are not relied upon for day to day response, maintenance and repairs are often scheduled to prioritize frontline units first. This approach ensures active vehicles remain fully operational while reserve assets are addressed through long term planning budgeting and responsible resource management.

No, unfortunately, the Fire Department does not offer CPR classes.

No. Public safety operations are supported by fully staffed and fully operational frontline vehicles. The City plans for redundancy to ensure services remain reliable and uninterrupted, even when reserve assets are temporarily unavailable.

Ongoing training ensures personnel remain qualified confident and prepared to respond safely and effectively. Training is a core component of readiness and supports the responsible use of equipment and resources.

Yes and it should be. Preventive maintenance and timely repairs are essential components of public safety operations. Equipment is removed from service whenever safety performance or reliability could be affected to protect both personnel and the public.

Cash, check, money order, debit or credit cards.

Yes. Equipment is deployed only when properly trained and qualified personnel are available. This ensures operations are conducted safely, professionally, and in accordance with departmental policy, state law, and national standards.

No. Staffing levels are reviewed daily and operational plans are adjusted as needed to maintain service coverage response capability and public safety. At no time has public safety been compromised due to staffing considerations.

Lancaster maintains multiple layers of operational support, including frontline vehicles, reserve assets, trained personnel, mutual aid agreements, and coordinated response planning. This layered approach ensures dependable service under all conditions.

The department maintains cooperative relationships with regional partners for mutual aid, large scale incidents, and joint training. These partnerships strengthen response capability and enhance regional resilience.

Lancaster prioritizes preparedness through routine evaluation, professional staffing, responsible maintenance, ongoing training, and strategic planning. This approach ensures residents receive safe, reliable, and effective public safety services every day.

Parks are open from dawn till dusk daily.

Yes, but you need to have a fishing license if you are 16 years of age or older. Bear Creek Nature Park is only catch and release.

The entire loop is 2.24 miles.

Yes, but you must be a registered group with the Parks and Recreation Department.

Yes, the department strives to stock once a year by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Yes, you need to bring proof that your horse had the Coggins Test to the Recreation Center. You will be issued a permit that is good for six months.

According to the Tree Preservation, owners of property zoned as residential who reside at the property and use the residence as their primary residence are exempt as long as they are approved by the landscape administrator or designee.

Yes. Accident reports are $6. Offense reports, incident reports, call sheets, and crime statistics are 10 cents per page.

Police reports can be picked up in the Records Division of the Lancaster Police Department at:

100 Craig Shaw Memorial Parkway

Lancaster, TX 75134

*As of February 18, 2019, The Lancaster Police Department now reports all traffic crashes to the Texas Crash Reporting System. If you would like to purchase and accident report from the State of Texas please visit https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/.  

You can also purchase accident reports at the Police Reports website.

For more information, call (972) 218-2701.

Citizens may file a complaint in person against a departmental employee. An on-duty supervisor is required to speak with any citizen regarding an employee. No employee has the authority to talk any citizen out of making a complaint against an employee.

Citizens may also commend an employee:

• In person
• By phone - (972) 218-2700
• By mail:
  Lancaster Police Department
  ATTN: Chief of Police
  100 Craig Shaw Memorial Parkway
  Lancaster, TX 75134

The Police Department does not perform unlocking services.

If there is an emergency, such as a child locked inside that cannot unlock the doors or the vehicle is running in a confined area (where carbon monoxide poisoning might be a concern), or if there is life-sustaining medication inside the vehicle that is needed immediately, you should call 9-1-1 and request an emergency unlock.

Be prepared to provide your name and phone number, location, and your vehicle's description so that we can find you in either case.

There are exceptions to this service regarding locations that are serviced and the number of responses that an individual may have made previously.

The Police Department does not perform unlocking services.

If there is a child locked inside that cannot allow access to the house or appliances that have been left on that may be a hazard, or there is life-sustaining medication inside the house that is needed immediately, call 9-1-1 for an emergency unlock.

• Experian - (888) 397-3742
• Equifax - (800) 203-7843
• Trans Union - (800) 888-4213

Yes. Accident reports are $6. Offense reports, incident reports, call sheets, and crime statistics are 10 cents per page.

Police reports can be picked up in the Records Division of the Lancaster Police Department at:

100 Craig Shaw Memorial Parkway, Lancaster, TX 75134

*As of February 18, 2019, The Lancaster Police Department now reports all traffic crashes to the Texas Crash Reporting System. If you would like to purchase and accident report from the State of Texas please visit https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/.

You can also purchase accident reports at the Police Reports website.

For more information, call (972) 218-2700

The Code Compliance Division is responsible for the inspection of public or private premises for the purpose of identifying environmental hazards including health hazards, nuisance violations, unsafe building conditions and violations of any health or building regulation, statute or ordinance and improving and rehabbing those premises. Inspections are completed and notices sent to the proper person.

The notices allow for a reasonable period of time to make any correction to the property. The Code Officer will follow-up to determine if there is any further action required, such as hiring a contractor to correct the problem, or issuing a citation to Municipal Court. In many cases several attempts to communicate with the person in control of the property are made before further action is taken. The Code Division is committed to helping the residents in understanding the ordinances and the violations and how they affect the community. The Code Division regularly attends Homeowner Association meetings and Town Hall meetings to help educate the residents on the codes and regulations in the city.

Areas of concern are:

• High grass and weeds
• bulk trash violations
•  stagnant swimming pools
•  trash and junk,
• fences in disrepair
•  limbs that overhang a public area
• parking on unimproved surfaces
• and other violations that effect the health and safety of the community.

Most violations give you a minimum of ten (10) days to resolve the violation. The violation notice you receive will indicate the number of days to gain compliance.

Your code officer is listed on the City Web Site under Code Compliance Division. The city is divided into three (5) districts, and each officer is responsible for surveying and work on complaints to follow-up inspections.

Code Officers have historically been perceived as a negative part of city government by its citizens because typically it is the department that has to say "no" to the community. In reality however the code officer is there to protect the community's quality of life. Code Officers are here to educate the residents rather than to force compliance. By inspecting properties and meeting with residents, the Code Division will help you to understand the reason for the ordinance and how it affects you and your community. Most citizens cherish there right to have the quiet enjoyment of their property and the Code Division is here to help with meeting that expectation.

Bulk trash, limbs, and debris are picked up during the prescribed week of the month for your particular area of town. Bulk is hauled off every month of the year. 

• Bulk can be placed out on Saturday or Sunday before your designated week pickup.
• It must be in place by Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. All bulk placed out after that will be in violation and tagged by the Code Officer for removal within three days of being tagged.
• If the bulk remains out after being tagged the bulk will be removed and the cost of removal billed to the owner of the property which will be placed on your water bill.
• The maximum amount of bulk allowed out during your bulk week is only 12 cubic yards. Any amount left behind is the property owner’s responsibility to remove from their property.

• McCommas Bluff Landfill is located at 5100 Youngblood, Dallas, Texas 214-670-09
• Skyline Landfill is located at 1201 N Central Ave, Ferris, Texas 972-842-58
• Republic ECD N Interstate 45, Ennis, Texas. Please call for rates and hours of operations.

All parks are open daily from dawn till dusk.

Yes. Visit the Alarm Permits page for more information or call 855-809-2063.

The person surrendering the animal must be a Lancaster resident with acceptable forms of proof:  driver’s license or water bill.  There is a $20.00 surrender fee per animal and we are unable to guarantee adoption of the animal.

Have you seen the dog in this area before? If yes, do you know the pet owner or location that the dog came from? Please provide a description of the dog. Is it wearing a collar? Provide your name and phone number. All information provided is confidential and is needed in case the animal control officers need more information.

Are you in a safe location, away from the dog right now? How is the dog being aggressive? Barking is not aggression, it means the animal is protecting its territory. Do not run from a dog, simply walk away. If the dog is attempting to get into your yard or house or trying to bite someone, call 911 immediately.

Provide your name and address. Provide a description of the animal. Does the animal belongs to you? Animal Control does not pick up surrenders. Surrendered animals must be brought to the shelter and there is a surrender fee of $20.

A state issued driver’s license, a state issued identification card, or a government issued passport. All identification must be valid. No altered or expired identification will be accepted.

ALL return payments are adjusted back to the account and a $35.00 returned payment fee is charged for each returned payment. The customer is notified. Services can be disconnected if the full amount of the return payment and fee is not paid.

You may receive an adjustment when a concealed leak occurs and has been repaired. A leak receipt must be submitted within 20 days of repair to be considered.

You must pay all delinquent balances prior to applying for new services.

You must pay the full past due amount and $50.00 reconnect fee. If the meter has been pulled, you must also pay the $250.00 fee. Services will be restored on the same day if payment is received before 4 pm. After 4 pm, services will be restored the next business day.

If the deposit is still active, you must pay the past due balance and any fees (reconnect, pull meter, etc.) charged to the account with certified funds to restore the service. If the deposit has applied to the account, the entire balance, any fees charged to the account, and a deposit must be paid. You also may be asked to complete a new application for service.

Only city personnel is authorized to turn service back on. Tampering with a meter could cause damage to the meter that the customer would be charged a fee to repair. Also, turning a meter on without authorization is considered theft of service.

A request for an extension must be submitted in writing by the close of the business day prior to the disconnection date. A request may be submitted in person at 211 N. Henry St. or by email at waterbilling@lancaster-tx.com. Please attach a photo ID when submitting an email.

The city will work with any customer that is experiencing difficulty paying. We can grant payment extensions and offer pay out plans, up to three months. In no cases are charges reduced or eliminated for hardship reasons. Penalties will still apply to all extensions and payout plans.

A homeowner or property management company may set up an account for 30 days or less with a $60 deposit.

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Any deposits for new services paid before 4 pm will be turned on that same day. Any deposits for new services paid after 4pm will be turned on the next business day.

Yes. If you leave services in your name, you are responsible for all charges and fees that are applied to the account.

After your account is finalized, you have 90 days to pay the remaining balance. Any balance left unpaid will be sent to a collection agency.

No. Due to confidentiality laws, information regarding a water utility account will only be shared with the actual account holder regardless of the relationship of the requestor. Only the account holder can make payment extensions, pay out plans, payment arrangements on the account because he/she is the only one the city can penalize for non-payment.

Yes. Both parties would need to come in with their valid photo identifications and complete the required forms. The primary account holder is the only one authorized to final or transfer the account.

If you have a past due balance, there will be a statement on your monthly statement notifying you that your services can be interrupted at any time. The city also does a courtesy phone call the week prior to disconnection. This call is made on the number listed as “home phone” on your account. Please make sure your information is current.