Compliance, inspections and investigations.

Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-613

in effect

Sec. 47-613. - Compliance, inspections and investigations. (a) When it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this chapter or to inspect or investigate conditions related to water quality, an authorized city official may enter a building or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this article or to inspect or review records, reports, data, plans, or other documents relating to compliance with this chapter, the site's SWPPP, or with any TPDES or NPDES storm water permit. If the building or premises is occupied, credentials must be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If the building or premises is unoccupied, the authorized city official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If refused, the authorized city official shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry. (b) The findings related to a site inspection shall be recorded on an inspection report form, a copy of which report shall be provided for the person in charge of the site. The authorized city official shall maintain a copy of the inspection report in the departmental records. (c) Upon request of the operator of a site, the authorized city official may allow an extension of the time in which to correct a violation. In determining whether to allow an extension and the length of the extension, the authorized city official shall consider the degree of risk, if any, posed by the violation and the time reasonably required to correct it. No extension shall be granted if the authorized city official determines that a significant risk is posed to the public or environment. (d) If the authorized city official determines that a reinspection is necessary to ascertain that the conditions responsible for a violation no longer exist, the operator shall be assessed the reinspection fee established in Section 118.1.5 of the Building Code in conjunction with that reinspection, and a hold will be placed on all permits and inspections on the site. (e) A facility that is required to or agrees to cease operations under the provisions of this section shall not resume operations until an authorized city official does a reinspection and determines that the conditions responsible for the requirement to cease operations no longer exist. (f) The authorized city official shall conduct all reinspections required under this section within a reasonable period of time. Other inspections and permits shall not be renewed or approved until all outstanding fees assessed under this chapter have been paid. (g) When, due to emergency, immediate entry is necessary to protect life or property, or when the authorized city official shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, no owner, occupant or any other person having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by the authorized city official for the purpose of inspection and investigation pursuant to this article or other laws relating to water quality. (h) Any temporary or permanent obstruction to safe and easy access to a facility that is to be inspected or sampled must be promptly removed by the discharger at the written or verbal request of the city engineer and may not be replaced. The cost of clearing access to the facility shall be borne by the discharger. (i) The city engineer, utility official, building official, health officer or any city peace officer is hereby authorized to undertake the activities authorized by this section. (Ord. No. 01-800, § 3, 8-29-01; Ord. No. 06-892, §§ 12, 13, 8-23-06; Ord. No. 2016-864, § 5, 11-9-2016; Ord. No. 2021-1037, § 20(Exh. I.58), 12-1-2021, eff. 4-1-2022)

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_ARTXIISTWADI_DIV1INGE_S47-613COININFetched: 10/26/2026