Public Health Rules in Houston, TX (2026)
7 verified public health rules for Houston, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Restaurant Grade Cards
Houston Health Department inspects food establishments under Code Ch. 20 and Texas Food Establishment Rules, posting numeric demerit scores online. Houston uses a numeric demerit system rather than the A/B/C letter grades used by Los Angeles County.
Houston Health Department Restaurant Inspection Score System
Some RestrictionsRodent Control
Houston requires property owners to control rats, mice, and other vermin under Code Chapter 21 (health) and Texas Health and Safety Code Ch. 343, which classifies rodent harborage as a public health nuisance subject to abatement.
Houston Rodent Control Under Code Ch. 21 and State Nuisance Law
Some RestrictionsBed-Bug Rules
Texas Property Code Chapter 92 requires landlords to provide habitable housing free of pests, and Houston Code Chapter 27 minimum housing standards let inspectors cite bed bug infestations as substandard conditions requiring professional treatment.
Bed Bug Treatment Under Texas Property Code and Houston Standards
Some RestrictionsSyringe Disposal
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 728 prohibits placing used needles and sharps in regular trash. Houston Solid Waste accepts properly contained household sharps at neighborhood depository sites and through limited collection events.
Sharps Disposal Under Texas H&S §728 and Houston Solid Waste
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code § 481.125
Sec. 481.125. OFFENSE: POSSESSION OR DELIVERY OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally uses or possesses with intent to use drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, or conceal a controlled substance in violation o...
Healthy Food Retail
Houston has no fast-food moratorium like Los Angeles, but the Health Department's Go Healthy Houston initiative and Healthy Eating Active Living grants encourage corner stores and community gardens to expand fresh food access in food-desert neighborhoods.
Houston Healthy Eating Active Living Programs and Go Healthy Houston
Few RestrictionsCalorie Labeling
Calorie labeling on menus in Houston is governed by federal FDA rules under 21 CFR §101.11, requiring chains with 20 or more locations to post calorie counts. Texas and Houston have no separate municipal menu-labeling ordinance.
Federal FDA Menu Calorie Labeling Applies in Houston
Some Restrictions21 CFR 101.11
§ 101.11 Nutrition labeling of standard menu items in covered establishments. ( a ) Definitions. The definitions of terms in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act apply to such terms when used in this section. In addition, for purposes of this section: Authorized official of a restaurant or similar retail food establishment means the owner, operator, agent in charge, or other ...
Food Handler Certification
Under Texas Health and Safety Code §438.046, every food employee in Houston must obtain an accredited food handler certificate within 60 days of hire. Cards are valid for two years and enforced by Houston Health Department inspectors.
Texas Food Handler Card Required Within 60 Days of Hire
Some RestrictionsLooking for Harris County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Houston city rules.
Public Health Rules in Harris County →