Travis County, TX Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- TX HSC Chapter 343
- Lot size
- Ten acres or less
- Notice
- Required before abatement
- Lien
- Allowed for cleanup costs
Summary
Property owners in unincorporated Travis County must abate rodent harborage and standing water that breeds vectors, with TCHHS empowered to issue notices and pursue abatement under nuisance authority.
Sec. 343.011. PUBLIC NUISANCE. ... (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 of another residence or commercial establishment. (Weeds defined to include vegetation that creates an unsanitary condition likely to attract or harbor mosquitoes, rodents, vermin, or other disease-carrying pests, regardless of the height of the weeds.)
Full Breakdown
Travis County Health and Human Services responds to rodent, mosquito, and other vector complaints in unincorporated areas. Owners must remove harborage such as accumulated trash, woodpiles against structures, and standing water. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 343 gives counties authority to declare and abate public health nuisances on properties of ten acres or less. TCHHS issues written notice giving the owner time to correct; uncorrected nuisances can be abated by the county and assessed as a lien.
Violations & Fines
Failure to abate after written TCHHS notice can result in county-performed cleanup billed to the owner as a lien on the property, plus civil penalties under HSC Chapter 343.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the county clean up my yard?
Does this apply inside Austin?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Travis County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Travis County to another location·View the Texas public health rules overview
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