Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. ch. 214 (subchs. A, B, C, G, H, I, Z) § 214.218
IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF CERTAIN CODES OR PROVISIONS DELAYED.
Operative Text
Sec. 214.218. IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF CERTAIN CODES OR PROVISIONS DELAYED. (a) In this section, "national model code" has the meaning assigned by Section 214.217.(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the governing body of a municipality with a population of more than 100,000 that adopts an ordinance or national model code provision that is intended to govern the construction, renovation, use, or maintenance of buildings and building systems in the municipality shall delay implementing and enforcing the ordinance or code provision for at least 30 days after final adoption to permit persons affected to comply with the ordinance or code provision.(c) If a delay in implementing or enforcing the ordinance or code provision would cause imminent harm to the health or safety of the public, the municipality may enforce the ordinance or code provision immediately on the effective date of the ordinance or code provision. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 130 (S.B. 820), Sec. 1, eff. May 23, 2009.
Under Texas Local Government Code § 214.218, when a municipality with more than 100,000 residents adopts a new ordinance or national model code provision governing building construction, renovation, use, or maintenance, the city generally must wait at least 30 days after final adoption before it begins implementing or enforcing that rule. This grace period is designed to give affected parties a reasonable window to come into compliance before enforcement begins. The 30-day delay does not apply, however, when the municipality determines that immediate enforcement is necessary to prevent imminent harm to public health or safety.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Section 214.218 means that property owners and managers in larger Texas municipalities typically have at least 30 days after a new building-related ordinance or code provision is finally adopted to bring their properties or operations into compliance before enforcement begins. Operators generally track local council agendas and adoption dates so they can identify the compliance window and begin any required adjustments promptly. When a municipality invokes the imminent-harm exception under § 214.218(c), enforcement can begin immediately, so staying informed about the stated rationale for any new code adoption is a common practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 214.218 provides a structural protection that can affect tenants indirectly: when a Texas city with more than 100,000 residents adopts new building or maintenance standards, there is ordinarily a minimum 30-day period before those rules are enforced, giving landlords time to comply. If a landlord is cited for a code violation, the timing of the ordinance's adoption and the applicable compliance window under § 214.218 may be relevant context in any administrative or legal proceeding. Tenants who believe a building condition implicates a recently adopted code provision may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how the provision's timeline interacts with their situation.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation