Houston, TX Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Sec. 10-731 authorizes the fire department to inspect each licensed child-care home and each registered child-care home at least once every 12 months. Sec. 10-732 defines the "care giver" as the person listed as operator or care giver by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and ties "licensed" and "registered" child-care home to the state's own definitions in 40 Tex. Admin. 109. Sec. 10-733 requires the fire department to mail written notice of the required inspection to the address on file with the state, along with the inspection form and payment information, before any inspection occurs.

Sec. 10-734 then gives the care giver 30 days from that notice to return the completed form, the inspection fee set in the city fee schedule, and any required administrative fees, after which the fire department sets the inspection date and time. Under Sec. 10-735(a), only the city's fire department may conduct these fire inspections; the inspector delivers a written summary of the results, and unless the home is found to be a fire hazard under Article VIII of the chapter, the care giver has 30 days from the initial inspection to fix any problems.

The department returns for a free follow-up inspection on day 30 or sooner if notified the fix is done; if issues remain and a third inspection is needed, the re-inspection fee in the fee schedule applies. Sec. 10-736 requires the city to report violations to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.