Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. ch. 214 (subchs. A, B, C, G, H, I, Z) § 214.219
MINIMUM HABITABILITY STANDARDS FOR MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL BUILDINGS IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES.
Operative Text
Sec. 214.219. MINIMUM HABITABILITY STANDARDS FOR MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL BUILDINGS IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES. (a) This section applies only to a municipality with a population of 1.7 million or more. This section does not affect the authority of a municipality to which this section does not apply to enact or enforce laws relating to multi-family rental buildings.(b) In this section:(1) "Multi-family rental building" means a building that has three or more single-family residential units.(2) "Unit" means one or more rooms rented for use as a permanent residence under a single lease to one or more tenants.(c) A municipality shall adopt an ordinance to establish minimum habitability standards for multi-family rental buildings, including requiring maintenance of proper operating conditions.(d) A municipality may establish other standards as necessary to reduce material risks to the physical health or safety of tenants of multi-family rental buildings.(e) A municipality shall establish a program for the inspection of multi-family rental buildings to determine if the buildings meet the minimum required habitability standards. The program shall include inspections under the direction of:(1) the municipality's building official, as defined by the International Building Code or by a local amendment to the code under Section 214.216;(2) the chief executive of the municipality's fire department; and(3) the municipality's health authority, as defined by Section 121.021, Health and Safety Code.(f) A municipality may not order the closure of a multi-family rental building due to a violation of an ordinance adopted by the municipality relating to habitability unless the municipality makes a good faith effort to locate housing with comparable rental rates in the same school district for the residents displaced by the closure.(g) The owner of a multi-family rental building commits an offense if the owner violates an ordinance adopted under this section. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. Each day the violation continues constitutes a separate offense.(h) A municipality may impose a civil penalty under Section 54.017 for a violation of this section. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1127 (H.B. 1819), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
Texas Local Government Code § 214.219 requires municipalities with a population of 1.7 million or more to adopt minimum habitability standards for multi-family rental buildings—defined as buildings with three or more residential units—and to establish inspection programs overseen by building, fire, and health officials. Owners who violate ordinances adopted under this section can face criminal liability as a Class C misdemeanor, with each day of continued violation counting as a separate offense. Before closing a building for habitability violations, the municipality must make a good faith effort to find comparable-rate housing in the same school district for displaced residents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 214.219, owners of multi-family rental buildings in qualifying Texas municipalities are expected to maintain their properties in compliance with locally adopted habitability ordinances, including keeping all systems in proper operating condition. Compliant operators typically respond promptly to inspection findings from building, fire, and health officials and remediate violations before they persist across multiple days, since each day of non-compliance can constitute a separate Class C misdemeanor offense. Civil penalties under Section 54.017 may also be imposed in addition to criminal liability, making ongoing maintenance documentation an important operational practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 214.219 gives tenants in qualifying Texas municipalities the benefit of legally mandated habitability standards and a structured inspection program—covering building, fire, and health conditions—that their landlord must meet. If a building is found in violation, the law limits the municipality's ability to simply close the building without first making a good faith effort to locate comparable-rate housing in the same school district for displaced residents. Tenants who believe their building falls short of these standards may contact their municipality's building, fire, or health department to request an inspection, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
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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