What is the City of Sugar Land doing?

Coronavirus (COVID19) Information

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WHAT IS THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND DOING?

  • Dr. Joe Anzaldua, Sugar Land’s public health authority, continues to work closely with local, state and Federal health officials responding to the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19.
  • The city has created this webpage to provide information resources for citizens. The authoritative resources for official information continue to be local health departments, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control.
  • Sugar Land’s public health authority and emergency management professionals are participating in daily briefings with the state to ensure we have the latest information.
  • We have activated our Emergency Operations Center, and we’re currently at an elevated readiness level.
  • The city is updating and reviewing emergency management protocols to ensure continuity of operations.
  • We’ve implemented community mitigation measures such as suspending service at bars, limiting restaurant operations, closing the rec center and senior center and canceling city sponsored events and activities.

Community Mitigation Measures | Animal Shelter | Guidelines for Parks | Permits and Inspections | Solid Waste and Textile Collection 

Community Mitigation Measures

These measures follow actions based on new guidelines issued by Fort Bend County and the Centers for Disease Control. They are intended to protect the public and help limit the spread of COVID-19 in the greater Houston region, and they are consistent with the city of Sugar Land’s disaster declaration that follows Fort Bend County’s guidelines and actions taken by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

  • Bars must suspend service.
  • Restaurants must limit service to delivery, take-out and pick-up options instead of sit-down dining.
  • Any event of more than 10 people sponsored or permitted by the city of Sugar Land will cease.
    • This includes The Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land.
    • This also includes Constellation Field.
  • Municipal Court appearances, trials and arraignments are canceled. All cases will be reset. See more information.
  • The Imperial Park Recreation Center and the Sugar Land Heritage Museum and Visitor Center are closed.
  • All community meetings sponsored by the city will be postponed. These include Sugar Land 101, the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council and task force meetings.
  • The city’s block party trailer will be unavailable, and park rentals for events of more than 10 people will cease. Contact the IPRC at (281) 275-2885 for rescheduling or refunds.
  • The T.E. Harman Center is closed due to its members being at greater risk.
    • Other gatherings of seniors or other people at higher risk of severe illness should be canceled or postponed.  Those at higher risk include people 60 and older, people with underlying health conditions (e.g. heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, mellitus, cancer, hypertension, etc.), people who have weakened immune systems and pregnant women.
  • Washing hands and cleaning surfaces remains important, so the city of Sugar Land will not discontinue water service for anyone through April 3; however, outstanding bills will not be waived.
  • Any event or community gathering of more than 10 people held at private facilities are urged to cancel but should make those determinations within their organizations and with staff of those facilities.
  • Events under 10 people should be considered for postponement.
  • Nursing homes and senior living centers should limit visitation of the public within their facilities.
  • Employers should take steps to make it more feasible for their employees to work in ways that minimize close contact with large numbers of people. Maximize telecommuting options and consider staggering start and end times.
  • Senior living facilities, assisted living facilities, and other facilities with populations at higher risk for COVID-19 should limit interactions with the general public. This includes reducing large gatherings, limiting programs with external staff, consider having residents stay inside, limiting visitors and screening people entering the facility.
  • Faith-based organizations and communities should implement social distancing measures to minimize close contact with groups of 10 or more people. This includes group congregation and religious services, especially for organizations who are at increased risk.
  • The International Art and Kite Festival is canceled.

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Further Mitigation Measures - County Judge: March 24, 4:30 p.m.

County Judge KP George, In coordination with Fort Bend County Mayors and the Fort Bend County Health & Human Services Director, Dr. Jacquelyn Minter, has issued a Stay at Home Order effective March 24, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

The Fort Bend County Health & Human Services Department is managing the local response.

The city continues to work closely with the health department and Sugar Land’s local health authority and meet on a daily basis to ensure city leaders have all the facts and make decisions based on advice from health experts


Guidelines for Parks

We appreciate the physical and mental health benefits that parks help provide, and we also recognize the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With this in mind, the following guidelines have been put in place. While we want our community to continue to use our parks and trails, failure to comply with the below guidelines may result in further park closures.

  •  All park playgrounds and restrooms are closed until further notice.
  • The virus can stay on surfaces for several hours and playgrounds and restrooms cannot be constantly disinfected.
  • The Pawm Springs Dog Park at Memorial Park and the skate park at City Park are closed until further notice.
  • Additionally, the following park amenities are closed until further notice:
    • Picnic pavilions and all picnicking facilities
    • Park benches
    • Drinking fountains
    • Basketball courts
    • Tennis courts
    • Outdoor fitness equipment
  • The city’s two splash pads were scheduled to open in April; however, they will remain closed until further notice.
  • Do not use parks or trails if you are exhibiting any symptoms.
  • Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and during use of parks or trails.
  • Follow CDC guidance on the recommended size of social gatherings including outdoor picnicking; pick-up sports games including but not limited to soccer, softball and volleyball; play dates and other group hangouts; and maintain proper physical distance at all times.
  • Observe CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals at all times. If this is not possible, users should find an alternate location or depart that space.
  • While on trails, warn other users of your presence and step aside to let others pass.


Animal Shelter

To practice social distancing and implement guidelines associated with COVID-19, guests and volunteers will no longer be allowed within the Animal Shelter buildings. Our staff will continue to provide a healthy and safe environment within the shelter and for the animals in our care.

However, that doesn’t mean we are closed for business! We are asking that you call to schedule an appointment for adoptions, sleepovers, return to owners, or to meet and greet the animals available for adoption. The staff will be assisting you outside the building.

Our phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Please feel free to call us for any questions, concerns, or to schedule an appointment.

Call: 281-275-A-DOG (2364)


Textile collection update for all residents, including Greatwood

Simple Recycling provides textile collection to all residents, including those in Greatwood.  Effective immediately, textile collection services for all City residents will be suspended until further notice. These changes are being implemented due to COVID-19 precautions and a limitation in available resources. Full collection services will be restored as quickly as possible.  

Important solid waste program update for Republic Services customers only-

 Republic Services is experiencing an increase in the amount of residential solid waste as a result of residents spending more time at home. In an effort to mitigate these increases, while facing the challenges and limitations created by COVID-19, the following modifications will take effect Monday, March 30, 2020 and will remain in place until further notice. These modifications are temporary and full collection services will be restored as quickly as possible.

Bulky waste will be suspended until further notice.

All other collection services will continue to run according to schedule with the following changes:

  • Residents should continue placing their recycling and garbage carts out for service according to their normal collection schedule; however, due to the need to reallocate collection resources, recyclable material will not be recycled at this time.  As this is a temporary change, we encourage residents to continue practicing good recycling habits to ensure a seamless transition once normal operations resume.
  • Green waste collection will continue, however we anticipate delays in service. By taking the following steps, residents can help minimize these delays:
    • Mulch leaves and grass clippings instead of bagging them for disposal.
    • Limit the amount of pruning and aesthetic tree trimming to only what’s essential.
    • If utilizing a landscape company, ensure that all green waste is collected and hauled off by the contractor.

 We will send information regarding any delays to the impacted areas through Nextdoor. Should your items not be collected by 7pm on your regularly scheduled day, please first check Nextdoor for any service notifications prior to calling 3-1-1 or 281-275-2900.


For Permits and Inspections Matters

To practice social distancing, the Department of Building Safety, which includes Permits and Inspections, is currently operating under limited customer access at City Hall and we encourage residents and contractors to explore the following options before making a trip to City Hall:

  • Some applications may be submitted via email to the Department of Building Safety at permits@sugarlandtx.gov.
  • Permit forms and applications can be found at in the Forms and Applications page.

Schedule of inspections over the phone by calling 281-275-2320 or through the Online Building Permits system.

Questions? Please contact the Department of Building Safety at 281-275-2270.

Resources

Emergency Notification System
Sign up and ensure you receive urgent community alerts from the City of Sugar Land.

Emergency Preparedness Guide
A comprehensive guide on what to do before, during, and after an emergency situation.

Infographic - Preventing the Spread
Downloadable informational flyer on steps to take to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.