SEWER AND DRAIN CONTRACTORS

Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 47, art. VI

in effect

Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-221 License required; fee.

Sec. 47-221. - License required; fee. It shall be unlawful for any person to perform the work or supervise the laying of privately constructed sanitary or storm sewers in the city without first obtaining a license to do so from the utility official; provided, that no license for drain laying shall be required for anyone holding a master plumbers license. The person obtaining such license pursuant to the provisions of this division shall pay to the utility official the sum stated for this provision in the city fee schedule for such annual license; provided, that if said license is issued after January of any year, the license fee shall be for such proportionate part of the year, computed from the first day of the month from which the same is issued. (Code 1968, § 49-201; Ord. No. 72-793, § 1, 5-10-72; Ord. No. 90-635, § 153, 5-23-90; Ord. No. 2011-1168, § 13, 12-14-2011)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-222 Transfer of license; use by another.

Sec. 47-222. - Transfer of license; use by another. It shall be unlawful for any person holding a drain layer's license issued hereunder to transfer it or allow its use, directly or indirectly, by any person for the purpose of obtaining a permit to do any work specified in this article. (Code 1968, § 49-202; Ord. No. 72-793, § 1, 5-10-72)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-223 Application for license; persons eligible.

Sec. 47-223. - Application for license; persons eligible. The utility official shall issue a drain layer's license to any person who makes application and satisfies such official: (1) That he is thoroughly familiar with the ordinances of the city related to sewer construction and with the current "City of Houston Specifications for Sewer Construction" together with the current amendments thereto; and (2) That he agrees to carry out all sewer construction in accordance therewith; and (3) That he agrees to secure a permit from the city for each job before starting construction thereof; and (4) That he agrees to personally supervise all work constructed under permits issued to him; and (5) That he is experienced in the work of drain laying by submitting a summary of his working experience in this area together with at least three references as to his qualifications. (Code 1968, § 49-203; Ord. No. 72-793, § 1, 5-10-72; Ord. No. 90-635, § 153, 5-23-90)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-224 Suspension of license.

Sec. 47-224. - Suspension of license. Bad faith or unreasonable delay in the performance of drain laying work shall be deemed sufficient reason for suspending the license of a drain layer and each licensee is held responsible for the violation of regulations governing such work by laborers and helpers employed by him. (Code 1968, § 49-204; Ord. No. 72-793, § 1, 5-10-72)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-225 Compliance with engineered plan, etc.

Sec. 47-225. - Compliance with engineered plan, etc. In laying storm or sanitary sewers within street rights-of-way and easements, the drain layer shall perform all work in accordance with an engineered plan approved by the city engineer. Work on private property shall be limited to storm sewers, which shall be performed as shown on an approved storm water drainage plan. The drain layer shall be authorized to clean out and repair storm or sanitary sewers provided that the herein stated property limitations are met. (Code 1968, § 49-205; Ord. No. 72-793, § 1, 5-10-72; Ord. No. 90-635, § 165, 5-23-90; Ord. No. 93-514, § 125, 5-5-93)

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_CH47WASE_ARTVISEDRCOFetched: 10/26/2026