Operating requirements.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 28-615
in effectSec. 28-615. - Operating requirements.
(a) Posting. The owner or operator of a lodging facility shall prominently and conspicuously post the permit issued for display in a public area of the lodging facility that is readily available to residents and visitors.
(b) Framed beds. The owner or operator of a lodging facility shall provide a separate framed bed at least six feet long and three feet wide equipped with supportive springs and clean supportive mattresses 24 hours a day for each resident at the lodging facility.
(c) Records. The owner or operator of each lodging facility shall maintain on the premises of the lodging facility records sufficient to verify and substantiate all information provided under section 28-613 of this Code. In addition, the owner or operator of each lodging facility shall maintain on the premises of the lodging facility documentation showing:
(1) Staffing and shift assignments for all employees;
(2) The name of each resident, accompanied by personal identifier information, including date of birth and copy of driver's license or other acceptable state recognized means of identification;
(3) Resident service agreements signed by each resident or the resident's legal representative detailing the services to be provided to the resident by the lodging facility, and the cost of those services; and
(4) Contact information for the resident's legal representative, if any.
The owner or operator shall maintain information relating to employees or residents required under this section for a period of at least five years after the employee or resident ceases to be employed by or reside at the lodging facility, as applicable, and shall maintain all other information required under this section for as long as the lodging facility is in operation and two years after it ceases to operate.
(d) Report of death or criminal activity. The owner or operator of each lodging facility shall immediately notify the Houston Police Department of any death or criminal activity that occurs on the premises of the lodging facility.
(e) Inspection report. The owner or operator shall maintain on the premises a current file of inspection reports and other documentation needed to demonstrate compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including the Fire Code and the Construction Code. The inspection reports must be signed by the inspector, dated, and free of any outstanding issues that require corrective actions.
(f) Safety or emergency precautions. The owner or operator of a lodging facility shall:
(1) Implement a written fire and evacuation plan for the facility that sets forth the responsibilities and steps to be taken by staff and residents in the event of a fire or other emergency and identifies two points of entry and egress. The owner or operator shall ensure that all staff and residents are shown how to use all emergency exits from the lodging facility within 24 hours after arrival at the lodging facility. The owner or operator shall maintain documentation of such training.
(2) Post an emergency evacuation plan in a common area, such as the kitchen or living room.
(3) Ensure that each employee receives training on the emergency evacuation plan at least two times per year and shall maintain documentation of such training.
(4) Ensure that flammable supplies, gasoline-operated equipment, and compressed gas equipment are stored outside of the living area.
(5) Provide a sufficient number of accessible fire extinguishers. The owner or operator shall ensure that a person licensed to inspect fire extinguishers inspects the fire extinguishers annually. The owner or operator shall ensure that the fire extinguishers are recharged when needed by a person licensed to inspect fire extinguishers.
(6) Provide and maintain an operable smoke alarm and, if any gas utility is provided, a carbon monoxide detector in each sleeping area, kitchen, and laundry area. The owner or operator shall ensure that these devices remain in good working order. If a lodging facility has a resident who is hearing-impaired, the owner or operator shall install and properly maintain a visual smoke alarm that is capable of alerting a hearing-impaired person of the presence of fire or smoke.
(7) Ensure that properly and visibly labeled first aid supplies are readily accessible to all the residents and inform the residents of the location of the supplies.
(Ord. No. 2018-226, § 2(Exh. A), 3-22-2018)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH28MIOFPR_ARTXVIIILOFA_DIV2PE_S28-615OPREFetched: 10/26/2026