BROWNSVILLE – The constant flow of cars led Joaquin Toro to believe his neighbor was operating a car sales business in his residential neighborhood.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke to the neighbor, Julio. He said he doesn’t sell cars or operate a business there. He works for his brother-in-law who owns a car lot in Mexico.

Julio said he’s in charge of hauling cars and temporarily parks them on his property from time to time.

The public information officer with Brownsville said the city, “doesn't have a particular ordinance that prohibits operating a business in a residential area. It may become a zoning violation if a business is being operated in an area that is strictly zoned for residential, as is the case with this neighborhood." 

Brownsville Code Enforcement visited the neighborhood this week and an investigation is underway to determine if there is any violation. 

The penalty for a violation includes a citation of up to $2,000. That citation will then go up to a presiding judge at the municipal court. 

If you have any doubts regarding an ordinance or a possible violation, you can call the non-emergency hotline at 546-HELP.

The city asks residents to allow up to 72 hours for the city to address the concern.