Public Health Rules in Dallas County, TX (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in Dallas County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Dallas County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Rodent Control

Dallas County Health and Human Services Vector Control monitors rodents and mosquitoes countywide, while Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 343 lets the county abate rodent harborage as a public nuisance in unincorporated areas.

DCHHS Vector Surveillance and Rodent Nuisance Abatement

Some Restrictions

Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 343.011(c)(3)-(5)

Sec. 343.011. PUBLIC NUISANCE. (a) This section applies only to the unincorporated area of a county. ... (c) A public nuisance is: ... (3) maintaining premises in a manner that creates an unsanitary condition likely to attract or harbor mosquitoes, rodents, vermin, or other disease-carrying pests; (4) allowing weeds to grow on premises in a neighborhood if the weeds are located within 300 feet ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Bed-Bug Rules

Texas Property Code Chapter 92 makes landlords statewide responsible for habitable rentals including bed bug remediation. DCHHS responds to complaints in unincorporated Dallas County and refers tenants to municipal code compliance inside city limits.

Bed Bug Complaints and Texas Property Code Habitability

Light Restrictions

Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.052 (Landlord's Duty to Repair or Remedy)

Sec. 92.052. LANDLORD'S DUTY TO REPAIR OR REMEDY. (a) A landlord shall make a diligent effort to repair or remedy a condition if:(1) the tenant specifies the condition in a notice to the person to whom or to the place where rent is normally paid;(2) the tenant is not delinquent in the payment of rent at the time notice is given; and(3) the condition:(A) materially affects the physical he...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Food Handler Certification

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 438 requires food handlers to complete an accredited course within sixty days of hire. DCHHS verifies cards and Certified Food Manager credentials during inspections in unincorporated Dallas County and contract cities.

Texas Food Handler and Certified Manager Credentials

Some Restrictions

Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 438.046(b-1)-(c)

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 f...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗