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Houston, TX Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Applies to
Buildings with 3+ units
Enforcing agency
City building official
Registration
File MFRB form, post on site
Inspection fee
Set in city fee schedule
Penalty
$500–$2,000 per offense

Summary

Every Houston apartment building with three or more units must register with the city building official and falls under the Multi-Family Rental Building Inspection Program, which enforces minimum habitability standards and charges an inspection fee.

An owner of an MFRB shall register the MFRB by completing and filing an MFRB Registration Form with the building official. An owner of an MFRB shall post a hard copy of the current, completed MFRB Registration Form in or on the MFRB.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Houston Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Article IV requires the owner of any multi-family rental building (MFRB), three or more units, to file an MFRB Registration Form with the city building official and post a copy on site (§ 10-154). The building official inspects MFRBs under the Multi-Family Rental Building Inspection Program against a published habitability checklist, after mailing the owner a 45-day notice and collecting an inspection fee (§§ 10-157, 10-158). A 2026 amendment added a High-Risk Apartment Inspection Program for buildings hit with ten or more citations in six months (§ 10-171).

Violations & Fines

An owner whose MFRB violates the Habitability Code commits a misdemeanor punishable by $500 to $2,000 per offense, with each day a separate offense (§ 10-159); high-risk building violations run $250 to $2,000 (§ 10-173).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Houston buildings must register?
Any multi-family rental building with three or more units. Condos, dorms, and rooms rented for state or federal services are excluded. Registration is filed with the city building official under § 10-154.
How are the apartments inspected?
The building official inspects under the MFRB Inspection Program after mailing a 45-day notice and collecting the inspection fee; high-risk buildings get an initial inspection within 30 days plus follow-ups.
What if an owner does not register or comply?
It is a misdemeanor carrying a $500 to $2,000 fine, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense under § 10-159.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Houston

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All Houston rules

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