Austin, TX Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- City Code § 4-14-3
- Time to register
- Up to 14 days after notice
- Minimum registration
- 2 years (5 if repeat)
- Inspection
- Annual periodic inspection
- Annual fee
- $983
Summary
Austin forces problem rental properties into its Repeat Offender Program. A property that racks up two or more uncorrected violation notices, five notices, or two citations in a rolling 24 months must register with the Code Compliance Department and submit to inspection.
Except as provided in Subsection (C), a rental registration issued under this article is required for multi-family rental property or single-family rental property occupied by a non-owner if the following conditions are met: (1) two or more separate notices of violation are issued for the same property within a consecutive 24 month period and the owner ... fails to correct the violations ...; (2) five or more separate notices of violation are issued on separate days ...; or (3) two or more citations are issued for the same property within a consecutive 24 month period.
Full Breakdown
City Code Chapter 4-14 requires the owner of a non-owner-occupied multi-family or single-family rental to register once the property meets any § 4-14-3(A) trigger: two-plus uncorrected notices of violation, five-plus notices on separate days, or two-plus citations in a consecutive 24-month period, tied to the technical, sanitary, or pool codes. The code official gives written notice and up to 14 days to register (§ 4-14-4). Registration runs a minimum of two years, or five years for a repeat property (§ 4-14-31), with a periodic inspection up to once a year (§ 4-14-41). The annual fee is $983. Suspension bars leasing vacant units until the owner complies (§ 4-14-50).
Violations & Fines
Failing to register after notice is an offense punishable under § 4-14-53. Leasing an unregistered rental is prohibited (§ 4-14-30). A suspended registrant may not lease vacant units or take new tenants until the code official confirms compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lands a rental in Austin's Repeat Offender Program?
How long must a property stay registered?
What happens if the owner does not comply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Austin
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