Houston Code of Ordinances § 9-801 Actions authorized to enforce article.
Sec. 9-801. - Actions authorized to enforce article.
(a) The city, acting through the city attorney or any other attorney representing the city, is hereby authorized to file an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to:
(1) Enjoin any person from violating the terms, conditions and restrictions of an AHA permit issued under this article;
(2) Enjoin or abate the violation of the provisions of this article;
(3) Recover civil penalties for violation of the terms, conditions and restrictions of an AHA permit issued under this article;
(4) Recover civil penalties for violation for the provisions of this article; or
(5) Recover damages from the owner of property in an amount adequate for the city to undertake any construction or other activity necessary to bring about compliance with this article on the property.
(b) The city, acting through the city attorney or any other attorney representing the city, is hereby authorized to enter into agreements in lieu of litigation to achieve compliance with the terms, conditions and restrictions of any AHA permit issued under this article or the provisions of this article.
(c) The director is authorized to:
(1) Whenever any work authorized by an AHA permit is being performed contrary to the provisions of this article, or other pertinent laws or ordinances implemented through the enforcement of this article, order the work (other than work to cure a violation) stopped by notice in writing served on any persons performing the work or causing the work to be performed. Any such persons shall forthwith stop the work until authorized by the director to proceed with the work.
(2) At the time a stop work order is issued, the person performing the work and the permit holder shall be given notice of a right to a hearing on the matter pursuant to section 9-757 of this article. Any stop work order that has been issued shall remain in effect pending any hearing that has been requested unless the stop work order is withdrawn by the director.
(Ord. No. 09-1301, § 2, 12-16-09, eff. 3-1-2010; Ord. No. 2021-1037, § 20(Exh. I.9), 12-1-2021, eff. 4-1-2022)