# Tex. Local Government Code § 214.219: MINIMUM HABITABILITY STANDARDS FOR MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL BUILDINGS IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.219

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Local Government Code § 214.219
- **Heading:** MINIMUM HABITABILITY STANDARDS FOR MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL BUILDINGS IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code lg / Chapter 214 / Section 214.219

## Text

(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.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.001 § 214.001. AUTHORITY REGARDING SUBSTANDARD BUILDING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.001.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.002 § 214.002. REQUIRING REPAIR, REMOVAL, OR DEMOLITION OF BUILDING OR OTHER STRUCTURE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.002.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.003 § 214.003. RECEIVER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.003.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.004 § 214.004. SEIZURE AND SALE OF PROPERTY TO RECOVER EXPENSES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.004.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.005 § 214.005. PROPERTY BID OFF TO MUNICIPALITY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.005.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.0011 § 214.0011. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO SECURE SUBSTANDARD BUILDING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.0011.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.011 § 214.011. PLUMBING INSPECTOR.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.011.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.012 § 214.012. SEWERS AND PLUMBING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.012.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.0012 § 214.0012. JUDICIAL REVIEW.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.0012.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.013 § 214.013. SEWER CONNECTIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.013.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.014 § 214.014. DRAINS, SINKS, AND PRIVIES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.014.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.0015 § 214.0015. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY REGARDING SUBSTANDARD BUILDING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.0015.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.015 § 214.015. SEIZURE AND SALE OF PROPERTY TO RECOVER EXPENSES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.015.md)
- [Tex. Local Government Code § 214.0031 § 214.0031. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO APPOINT RECEIVER FOR HAZARDOUS PROPERTIES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.0031.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Clg_C214_S214.219. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.