Houston, TX Rental Inspections: Habitability Standards (2026)
Minimum standards for rental units including heating, plumbing, electrical, pest-free conditions, and what constitutes an uninhabitable unit.
Research in progress
We are currently verifying Houston's specific local ordinance for habitability standards. In the meantime,Texas state law generally applies, and below you'll find guidance for finding the official rules and links to related Houston ordinances we've already verified.
Texas State Law Context
Texas state law provides the baseline framework for habitability standards across all municipalities in the state. Individual cities like Houston may adopt additional local rules on top of state requirements, which is what makes checking your specific city ordinance important. For Houston residents, the safest approach is to follow state law as a baseline and contact City Hall for any additional local requirements.
You can browse all Texas rental inspections to see how cities across the state regulate this topic.
How to find official Houston Habitability Standards rules
- Search for "Houston TX municipal code" to find your city's online code portal (Municode, eCode360, or American Legal Publishing are the most common).
- Look for chapters covering rental inspections, zoning, nuisance, or property maintenance — that's where most habitability standards rules live.
- Contact Houston City Hall's code enforcement, planning, or community development department for clarification.
- Check with your HOA if applicable — many HOAs have stricter rules than the city itself.