Dallas County, TX Public Health Rules: Bed-Bug Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- TX Property Code Chapter 92
- Tenant notice
- Required in writing
- County role
- DCHHS handles unincorporated complaints
- Treatment
- Licensed pest control required
- City role
- Local code compliance leads
Summary
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.
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 health or safety of an ordinary tenant; or(B) arises from the landlord's failure to provide and maintain in good operating condition a device to supply hot water of a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.(b) Unless the condition was caused by normal wear and tear, the landlord does not have a
Full Breakdown
Texas has no dedicated bed bug statute, but Property Code Section 92.052 obligates landlords to repair conditions materially affecting health and safety after written tenant notice and reasonable access. Inside Dallas County cities, municipal code compliance handles habitability complaints under local minimum property standards. DCHHS Environmental Health takes complaints in unincorporated areas and may conduct inspections, but enforcement leans on the state property code rather than a county ordinance. Single-family homeowners are responsible for their own treatment. Hotels and motels fall under both state lodging regulations and DCHHS food and lodging inspections where applicable. Licensed pest control is required for chemical treatment.
Violations & Fines
Landlord failure to remediate a noticed bed bug infestation can support Texas Property Code 92.056 tenant remedies including repair-and-deduct, lease termination, and court-ordered repair, plus county or city code citations where ordinances apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dallas County have a bed bug ordinance?
What can a tenant do if the landlord ignores the problem?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas County to another location·View the Texas public health rules overview
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