Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. ch. 214 (subchs. A, B, C, G, H, I, Z) § 214.012
SEWERS AND PLUMBING.
Operative Text
Sec. 214.012. SEWERS AND PLUMBING. A municipality that has underground sewers or cesspools shall regulate by ordinance:(1) the tapping of the sewers and cesspools; and(2) house draining and plumbing. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Under Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.012, any Texas municipality that operates underground sewers or cesspools is required to adopt local ordinances governing how those systems may be accessed and how interior plumbing and drainage must connect to them. The provision establishes a mandatory regulatory floor, meaning the municipality has no discretion about whether to regulate — only about the specific content of its rules. The practical standards that apply to any given property are therefore set by the local ordinance adopted under this authority, not by the state statute itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Texas municipalities with underground sewer systems should be aware that Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.012 requires those municipalities to regulate sewer tapping and house plumbing through local ordinance. Compliant operators typically obtain any required municipal permits before connecting or modifying plumbing that ties into a public sewer or cesspool. Reviewing the applicable local ordinance — which varies by municipality — is a standard part of due diligence before undertaking plumbing or drainage work on a rental property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.012 requires Texas municipalities with underground sewers to set binding rules on plumbing and drainage connections, which can affect the habitability standards a rental unit must meet. If a tenant believes a unit's plumbing or sewer connections do not comply with the local ordinance adopted under this provision, options generally include raising the issue with the local municipal code enforcement office or a tenant-rights organization familiar with the applicable city's rules. Because the specific requirements flow from each municipality's own ordinance, understanding what that local ordinance requires is a useful starting point for evaluating any plumbing-related concern.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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