Performance standards.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-235
in effectSec. 42-235. - Performance standards.
A multifamily residential development with a density of 30 dwelling units or more per acre that meets each of the performance standards of this section shall be exempt from the requirements of sections 42-231, 42-232(a), 42-232(b), 42-233(a), and 42-233(b) of this Code:
(1) The development provides fire truck access to all fire hydrants by a 20-foot wide fire lane along which no parking is allowed, a 28-foot wide private street or a public street. The fire lane or private street may loop through the development or may terminate at a dead end if the dead end is less than 500 feet. A dead end longer than 150 feet but less than 500 feet must have an "L", "T" or 90-foot diameter circular turnaround, as depicted in figures 1, 2, and 3. No dead end may be greater than 500 feet;
(2) Fire hydrants are located no further than 20 feet, measured perpendicularly, from the edge of the pavement of the fire lane, private street or public street. Access to the fire hydrants through any fence is provided by gates with 911 access;
(3) One fire hydrant is located within 100 feet of the property line on any fire lane or private street, as shown in figure 4.
(4) Fire hydrants are located so that a fire truck can drive a maximum of 200 feet from a fire hydrant and then use a maximum 300 feet hose length from the edge of pavement at the fire truck around all buildings, as the hose lays on the ground around all obstacles, including but not limited to fences, walls, buildings, structures and trees, as shown in figure 5; and
(5) The maximum distance between fire hydrants is 600 feet, as shown in figure 6.
[image omitted; see the official code]
Figure 1. "L" Turn Around
[image omitted; see the official code]
Figure 2. "T" Turn Around
[image omitted; see the official code]
Figure 3. 90' Diameter Turn Around
[image omitted; see the official code]
Figure 4
[image omitted; see the official code]
Figure 5
[image omitted; see the official code]
Figure 6
(Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exhs. A, B), 4-24-2013)
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_CH42SUDEPL_ARTIIIPLST_DIV6MUMIREDE_S42-235PESTFetched: 10/26/2026