Public Health Rules in Arlington, TX (2026)
7 verified public health rules for Arlington, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Restaurant Grade Cards
Arlington restaurants are inspected by Tarrant County Public Health under contract; scores are posted publicly online and demerits above 30 require re-inspection within ten days.
Tarrant County Restaurant Inspection Scores
Some RestrictionsRodent Control
Arlington Code of Ordinances requires property owners to eliminate rodent harborage; the city and Tarrant County Public Health respond to complaints and may abate at the owner's expense.
Rat and Rodent Harborage Nuisance
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 343.011 (Public Nuisance - County Abatement, Includes Rodent Harborage)
Sec. 343.011. PUBLIC NUISANCE. (a) This section applies only to the unincorporated area of a county.(b) A person may not cause, permit, or allow a public nuisance under this section.(c) A public nuisance is:(1) keeping, storing, or accumulating refuse on premises in a neighborhood unless the refuse is entirely contained in a closed receptacle;(2) keeping, storing, or accumulating rubbish, inclu...
Bed-Bug Rules
Texas Property Code treats bed bug infestations as a habitability defect; Arlington landlords must remediate within seven days of written notice or tenants may pursue statutory remedies.
Bed Bug Infestations in Arlington Rentals
Some RestrictionsSyringe Disposal
Arlington follows Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 363 on special waste; loose syringes in household trash are prohibited and must be placed in approved sharps containers.
Sharps and Needle Disposal Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 481.002 (Controlled Substances Act - Definitions)
Sec. 481.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) "Administer" means to directly apply a controlled substance by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or other means to the body of a patient or research subject by:(A) a practitioner or an agent of the practitioner in the presence of the practitioner; or(B) the patient or research subject at the direction and in the presence of a practitioner.(2) "Agen...
Healthy Food Retail
Arlington does not mandate healthy food stocking in convenience stores; voluntary Tarrant County Public Health initiatives encourage produce access in identified food-desert census tracts.
No Healthy Corner Store Mandate in Arlington
Few RestrictionsCalorie Labeling
Arlington has no separate calorie-labeling ordinance; chain restaurants with 20 or more locations comply with federal FDA menu-labeling rules under the Affordable Care Act.
Restaurant Calorie Disclosure Follows Federal Rule
Few Restrictions21 CFR 101.11 — Menu Labeling Final Rule (published Dec. 1, 2014)
May 7, 2018 is the compliance date for the menu labeling final rule. On this date, consumers will have access to calorie and nutrition information in certain chain establishments covered by the rule. The menu labeling requirements apply to restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations. In addition, they must be doing business under the sam...
Food Handler Certification
All Arlington food-service workers must hold a Texas Department of State Health Services accredited food-handler card within 60 days of hire under Texas Health and Safety Code §438.
Texas Food Handler Certification Required
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Health and Safety Code Sec. 438.046 and Sec. 438.1055 (Food Handler / Manager Certification)
Sec. 438.046. LIST OF ACCREDITED PROGRAMS. ...(b-1) A food service worker trained in a food handler training course that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute or that is accredited by the department and listed with the registry is considered to have met a local health jurisdiction's training, testing, and permitting requirements. A local health jurisdiction may require a fo...
Looking for Tarrant County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Arlington city rules.
Public Health Rules in Tarrant County →