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Richmond serves as the county seat of Fort Bend County and provides a range of local government services to residents within the city limits. The City of Richmond operates under a commission–manager form of government. Policy decisions are made by an elected City Commission composed of a mayor and four at-large commissioners, and a professional City Manager is appointed by the Commission to oversee day-to-day administration of city departments and services.
If you are moving to Richmond, one of the first practical steps will be setting up utility services. The City of Richmond provides water, sewer, and related utility services to properties within its service area. Some nearby neighborhoods outside the city limits are instead served by separate Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), which are special districts created under Texas law to provide water, wastewater, drainage, and similar services. Before starting service, you will need to determine whether your new address is served directly by the City of Richmond or by a MUD. To open a city utility account, you must complete the city’s utility service application and provide identification and proof of residency (such as a deed, closing documents, or lease agreement), along with any required deposit or connection fees.
Richmond’s Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor offenses and city ordinance violations that occur within the city limits and are punishable by fine only. This includes traffic citations and other fine-only charges filed under city ordinances or applicable state law. The court holds arraignments—initial appearance dates—on a regular weekly schedule, typically on Thursday mornings, with other hearings or trials set as needed according to the court’s calendar. Information about payment options, court dates, and fine schedules is available through the Municipal Court section of the City of Richmond’s website or by contacting the court directly.
The City of Richmond also maintains a Parks and Recreation function responsible for operating and maintaining city parks and open spaces. These parks provide residents with outdoor recreation opportunities such as playgrounds, open green space, walking areas, and picnic spots. Facility availability, park rules, and any reservation options for use of specific spaces (such as pavilions or designated gathering areas) are published or coordinated through the city, and residents can contact City Hall or the Parks-related offices for current details.
Solid waste and recycling services for residential addresses inside the city are coordinated through Richmond’s Public Works and Sanitation departments. The city provides twice-weekly solid waste (trash) collection and once-weekly curbside recycling for eligible households, along with scheduled collection of yard waste and bulky items. The specific pickup days for trash depend on your service address, while recycling, yard waste, and bulk collection follow the standard weekly schedule outlined by the city. New residents can confirm their exact service days and preparation requirements for trash, recycling, yard trimmings, and large items by reviewing the sanitation information on the City of Richmond website or by contacting the Sanitation/Customer Service office.
