Laredo, TX Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Min. water temperature
- 120°F at every fixture
- Adopted standard
- International Property Maintenance Code
- Hearing body
- Building Standards Commission
- Max fine
- $2,000 per day
- Appeal window
- 30 days to district court
Summary
Laredo's substandard and dangerous buildings article declares a dwelling a public nuisance if water heating facilities can't deliver water at 120°F at every kitchen sink, bathtub or shower. The city adopts the International Property Maintenance Code as the minimum occupancy standard and can order repair, vacation, or demolition after a hearing before the Building Standards Commission.
Whenever water heating facilities are not properly installed or maintained in a safe and good working condition and/or such water heating facilities are not capable of heating water to such a temperature as to permit an adequate amount of water to be drawn at every required kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub or shower at a temperature of not less than one hundred twenty degrees (120°) Fahrenheit. Such water heating facilities shall be capable of meeting the requirements of this subsection when the dwelling or dwelling unit heating facilities required under the provisions of this subsection are not in operation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 3 | Land Development Code: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 16, article IV adopts Texas Local Government Code chapter 214, subchapter A under section 16-53 as the minimum standard for continued use and occupancy of every building regardless of construction date. " The same subsection also reaches unfenced pools, faulty wiring, inadequate exits, and structural deterioration. Section 16-56(a) sets the baseline standard by adopting the International Property Maintenance Code for continued occupancy of all buildings. Section 16-57 through 16-59 require the building official to give written notice to the owner and any known tenant, hold a public hearing before the Building Standards Commission, and issue an order after the hearing to repair, vacate, or demolish the property.
Section 16-63 makes any violation a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,000, with each continuing day a separate offense, and lets the city pursue enforcement remedies under Local Government Code chapter 54 as well. Section 16-64 gives an aggrieved owner, lienholder, or mortgagee thirty days from the mailed order to appeal to district court for a trial de novo.
Violations & Fines
Maintaining a building in violation of the minimum standards, including a failing water heater below 120°F, is a misdemeanor under section 16-63 punishable by a fine up to $2,000, with every continuing day of noncompliance charged as a separate offense. The city can also pursue repair, vacation, or demolition orders through the Building Standards Commission and recover its abatement costs from the owner under section 16-62.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Laredo set a minimum hot water temperature for rentals?
What building standard does Laredo use for rental habitability?
Can I appeal a Laredo order to fix or vacate a rental property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Laredo
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