Inspections.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 28-616
in effectSec. 28-616. - Inspections.
(a) Upon receipt of a request by the owner or operator of a lodging facility for an inspection to confirm that the lodging facility is in compliance with this Code, including the Fire Code and the Construction Code, the building official shall meet with the owner or operator to determine whether the lodging facility will require a certificate of occupancy.
(1) If the building official determines that the owner or operator possesses a certificate of occupancy for the lodging facility that is appropriate for the proposed use, the building official shall schedule the lodging facility for a lodging facility inspection, upon receipt of payment of the fee stated in the city fee schedule; or
(2) If the building official determines that the owner or operator possesses a certificate of occupancy for the lodging facility that is not appropriate for the proposed use, the building official shall schedule the lodging facility for a certificate of occupancy inspection, upon payment of any fee required therefor in the Construction Code;
(3) If the building official determines that the owner or operator does not possess a certificate of occupancy for the lodging facility and a certificate of occupancy will be required for the proposed use, the building official shall schedule the lodging facility for a certificate of occupancy inspection, upon payment of any fee required therefor in the Construction Code; or
(4) If the building official determines that a certificate of occupancy will not be required for the proposed use of the lodging facility, the building official shall schedule the lodging facility for a lodging facility inspection, upon payment of any fee required therefor in the Construction Code.
The building official shall notify the lodging facility operator of the date and time scheduled for the inspection.
(b) The building official or any peace officer may enter the premises of a lodging facility at reasonable times to conduct an inspection, survey, or investigation to assure compliance with this article and to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the residents of a lodging facility. The building official may be assisted in any investigation by representatives of the police department, the fire department, the department of neighborhoods, the Houston Health Department, or other city or state agency or entity with appropriate jurisdiction over matters affecting the health, safety, or welfare of the residents of a lodging facility. During the course of any inspection, the owner, operator, and any employee of the lodging facility shall be required to identify himself and provide documentation of identity upon the request of the building official or any other city representative participating in the inspection.
(c) At the time of any inspection, the owner or operator of a lodging facility shall provide the director or peace officer access to books, records, and other documents maintained by or on behalf of a lodging facility as required under section 28-615 of this Code.
(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_S28-616INFetched: 10/26/2026