Richardson, TX Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration deadline
- Within 30 days of first tenant
- Renewal
- Annual, $75 nonrefundable fee
- Inspection
- Annual exterior inspection required
- Covered units
- Single-family, duplex, townhome rentals
- Enforcer
- Chief Building Official
Summary
Every single-family, duplex, and townhome rental in Richardson must be registered with the Chief Building Official within 30 days of first occupancy, renewed each year with a $75 nonrefundable fee, and subjected to an annual exterior inspection of the property.
Each owner of a rental unit within the city shall register each such rental unit with the building official within 30 days of the first tenant occupying the rental unit and shall renew such registration annually on the date prescribed by the building official pursuant to subsection 6-472(a). Separate registration shall be required for each rental unit. … The building official shall annually inspect the exterior of a rental unit to determine compliance with applicable state and local laws.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Under Article XI of Chapter 6, the owner of every rental unit must register it with the Chief Building Official within 30 days of the first tenant moving in, then renew annually on the date the official sets, paying a $75 nonrefundable renewal fee per unit (Secs. 6-471, 6-472). A 'rental unit' is defined as a single-family, duplex, or townhome dwelling. Section 6-474 directs the building official to inspect the exterior of each registered rental every year; the interior is inspected only at the owner's or tenant's request, or under a warrant obtained per Code of Criminal Procedure art. 18.05. Owners must also report any change in occupancy within 30 days (Sec. 6-473).
Violations & Fines
Failing to register or to renew is an offense, and each day the rental stays unregistered is a separate offense. Filing a false registration application is unlawful, as is failing to report a change in occupancy within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do apartment complexes fall under this rental-registration article?
How much is the annual renewal fee?
Can the city inspect the interior of my rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richardson
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Richardson to another location·View the Texas rental inspections overview
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Inspection Programs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle inspection programs.