Free Tool-Sharing Programs Help Residents Keep Properties Up to Code

The economy may be shrinking, and while the grass may not always be greener on the other side, it still grows in residential neighborhoods. And if you can’t afford a lawn service or your own lawnmower, tall grass can easily put a dent in your budget if yu rack up a lot of code violations.

So it’s a good thing that the Arlington Code Compliance Department has a solution. 

The Tarrant County municipality west of Dallas is the first in Texas to offer a free mobile tool-sharing program, where residents can check out things like lawnmowers and pressure washers free of charge — and the items are delivered to their doorsteps and picked up three days later. 

Dallas also has a community hand tool program, with a smaller inventory than Arlington’s, available only to nonprofits and neighborhood associations on a first-come, first-served basis. They don’t deliver, but community groups can borrow a lawnmower, string trimmer, hedger, pole saw, rake, broom, or shovel free of charge for a weekend clean-up event. 

Tool-sharing is a proactive, neighbors-helping-neighbors effort to beautify the city and save people money, said Neal Lucas, field operations manager in Arlington’s Code Compliance Services. 

“In addition to individual reservations, the tool-sharing program has been utilized during seven Neighborhood Enhancement Team cleanup events where volunteers provide hands-on assistance for residents who need physical help making improvements to their property,” Lucas said. “Some residents have expressed that it is convenient to have access to equipment on an as-needed basis, reducing the need to purchase infrequently-used tools that take up storage space. The tool-sharing program could be a great resource for first-time homebuyers.” 

More than 265 potential code violations have been resolved or avoided since Arlington’s program launched in February 2021. 

Sharing Tools is Caring

Arlington has an online request form or residents can call 817-459-6777 to reserve the tools they need. Within three days staff will review and confirm reservation requests. 

And then they just show up at the requestor’s home with tools in hand.

“We drop off and pick up in the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,” Lucas said. 

Available tools include mowers, pressure washers, edgers, leaf blowers, wheelbarrows, fertilizer spreaders, hedge clippers, drills, tool kits, painting supplies, and push brooms. Residents can even borrow a hammer. Up to four tools can be reserved at a time for up to three days. 

“Some residents use the tool-sharing program to keep their property in compliance with the lawn maintenance equipment, and some use the program to make improvements or complete projects,” Lucas said. “They can use tools such as the wheelbarrow to move sod and mulch, or the painting equipment to update a room.”

More than 200 residents have used the program since it launched, and more than 360 reservations have been filled, using 1,228 individual tools. 

Arlington’s program takes the best components from other tool-sharing programs, Lucas said. 

“We took inspiration from several cities in Texas and other states, and we toured The Colony’s tool-lending program,” Lucas said. “The City of Arlington’s tool-sharing program is the first in the state to offer doorstep delivery, with drop-off and pick-up of tools and equipment right at your Arlington residence using our mobile tool-sharing trailer.” 

The program is now being eyed by other municipalities. 

Grand Prairie has expressed interest in developing a similar mobile program, Lucas said.

Dallas Code Compliance

The top three code violations in Dallas are high weeds, litter, and obstructions to an alley, sidewalk, or street. 

Grass above 12 inches can result in a court citation and a bill for the city’s mowing services. High grass doesn’t just create blight in neighborhoods; it can also be a fire hazard, as we saw in Balch Springs earlier this year. 

In addition to offering tools to community organizations, the City of Dallas is putting resources into helping residents keep their properties up to code. The city council recently approved 10 code enforcement officers assigned to focus on the Multi-Family Violent Crime Reduction Plan in partnership with Dallas Police Department.

Dallas Code Compliance has taken a proactive approach in recent years, participating in National Night Out, hosting neighborhood cleanup events, and conducting informational workshops with the public to help them address potential violations before they’re faced with a hefty fine. 

“We’re always available to answer questions and to help understand any concerns that you may have,” said Eric Onyechefule, public information coordinator for the Dallas Code Compliance Department. 

Dallas community groups who want to participate in tool sharing can call 214-670-8200 for more information.