New Fort Worth ordinance bars certain child related offenders from residing within 2,000 feet of libraries pools and community facilities

Fort Worth, Texas – City leaders have taken a new step aimed at strengthening protections for children, approving a local ordinance that creates expanded safety zones around places where young people regularly gather.

During a meeting Tuesday, the City Council voted to establish a 2,000-foot buffer zone that limits where certain registered sex offenders may live. The measure applies specifically to individuals listed in the state’s sex offender registry whose offenses involved child victims.

Under the new rules, those offenders are prohibited from establishing either a permanent or temporary residence within 2,000 feet of locations commonly used by children. The restricted areas include schools, day-care facilities, parks, playgrounds, public swimming pools, youth centers, community centers and public libraries.

Council members said the purpose of the ordinance is to reduce the risk of contact between children and individuals who have previously committed sexual offenses against minors. By limiting residential proximity to child-centered spaces, officials hope to decrease opportunities for potential reoffending.

The ordinance is framed as a preventive measure rather than an additional criminal penalty. City leaders emphasized that the goal is child safety and the prevention of future harm, not the imposition of further punishment on individuals who have already been sentenced under state law.

Anyone who violates the new residency restrictions could face financial penalties. The ordinance authorizes fines of up to $500 per day for each day a violation continues.

With the measure now approved, the city joins other municipalities that have enacted similar residency limits around areas where children gather. Supporters argue that creating physical distance between vulnerable populations and known offenders is a practical step toward enhancing community safety.

City officials have indicated that enforcement will focus on ensuring compliance with the established boundaries while maintaining the ordinance’s primary objective: protecting children and reducing the likelihood of future victimization.