On 5/19/2009, the Universal City Council passed a new ordinance setting residence and loitering restrictions for registered sex offenders. The new ordinance prohibits sex offenders (as defined in Chapter 62, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure) from establishing a permanent residence within 1000 feet of: Schools, Child care facility or institution, Park or playground, other places where children regularly congregate

The ordinance prohibits registered sex offenders from entering or loitering within 300 feet of a Child Safety Zone, defined as: “Public parks, private and public schools, public library, amusement arcades, video arcades, indoor and outdoor amusement centers, amusement parks, public or commercial and semi-private swimming pools, child care facility, child care institution, public or private youth soccer or baseball field, crisis center or shelter, skate park or rink, public or private youth center, movie theatre, bowling alley, scouting facilities and offices for Child Protective Services.”

In addition, the ordinance makes it unlawful for a property owner to rent property to a registered sex offender if the property in question is in the 1,000 ft. restricted area described above.

Violation of the ordinance could be punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000.00 per day of continuing violation.

To view a complete copy of this ordinance: Ordinance 602 - Sexual Offender

To approximately determine if an address location is within one of the safe zones use the Universal City sex offender mapping application. Clicking on a zone relates more detailed information about that zone.

For specific definitions of a registered sex offender and information on listing of offenders within a certain geographical location, please see the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website: Sex Offender Registry Search