Harris County, TX Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)
Key Facts
- Statute
- TX Penal Code 42.01(a)(10)
- Class C fine
- Up to $500
- Indecent exposure
- TX Penal 21.08 Class B
- Registration trigger
- Second 21.08 conviction
- Local ordinance
- None separately at county
Summary
Texas Penal Code Section 42.01(a)(10) makes exposing your anus or genitals in a public place reckless of who might be offended a Class C misdemeanor. Harris County Sheriff and constables charge public urination under this statute. No separate county public urination ordinance applies.
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(3) creates, by chemical means, a noxious and unreasonable odor in a public place;(4) abuses or threatens a person in a public place in an obviously offensive manner;(5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Texas Penal Code Section 42.01 disorderly conduct covers public urination through subsections (a)(10) exposure of anus or genitals and (a)(8) abusive or indecent behavior likely to provoke breach of peace. Harris County Sheriff and the eight Constable Precincts cite offenders countywide. Repeat or aggravated cases, especially near schools or in front of children, can be charged as indecent exposure under Section 21.08, a Class B misdemeanor that requires sex offender registration on a second conviction. Houston, Pasadena, and Baytown enforce their own city public-urination ordinances inside city limits. Harris County does not adopt a separate code section because the state statute is fully sufficient and uniform across precincts.
Violations & Fines
Class C disorderly conduct conviction carries a fine up to $500. Indecent exposure under 21.08 is a Class B misdemeanor with 180 days jail and $2,000 fine, plus registration on second offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is public urination a sex crime in Harris County?
Where do I complain about public urination at unincorporated Harris County events?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harris County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Harris County to another location·View the Texas public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.