Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 47, art. XI, div. 5 — DISPOSAL OF WASTE AT CITY FACILITIES | Houston Code of Ordinances (Supp. No. 93, Update 2: codified through Ordinance No. 2026-0732, adopted Aug. 19, 2026) — City of Houston

Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-464 Emergency disposal of portable toilet waste at city facilities.

Sec. 47-464. - Emergency disposal of portable toilet waste at city facilities. (a) Upon the health officer's findings that conditions of force majeure exist, that there exist insufficient permitted disposal facilities within the area contiguous to the city for the disposal of portable toilet wastes and that a public health emergency exists or may exist, the utility official is authorized to declare a public health emergency and allow transporters to discharge portable toilet wastes into designated city sewage treatment facilities in accordance with the provisions of this division. To initiate emergency disposals, the health officer must file a declaration of public health emergency with the city secretary. The health officer shall specify the conditions or circumstances that cause or threaten to cause the public health emergency. A declaration of public health emergency shall end when the health officer files with the city secretary a written declaration finding that the conditions requiring the original certification of a public health emergency no longer exist. (b) Transporters allowed to discharge portable toilet waste into designated city sewage treatment facilities shall: (1) Discharge portable toilet wastes only; (2) Discharge only from vehicles displaying registration decals authorizing transportation of city-regulated waste; and (3) Comply with all other applicable provision of this article and environmental laws. (c) A violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000.00. (Ord. No. 97-196, § 4, 2-19-97; Ord. No. 08-1229, § 21, 12-30-08; Ord. No. 2021-431, § 13, 5-26-2021)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-465 Discharge fees.

Sec. 47-465. - Discharge fees. The discharge of waste at a city sewage treatment facility shall be in accordance with the terms of section 47-464 of this Code and shall require payment of the discharge fee established by city council. The utility official is authorized to establish the method of payment for the discharge fee, as well as any additional regulations and procedures for the documentation of waste transfer and the orderly collection of fees required by this section. Without limitation, the regulations and procedures may provide for immediate suspension of discharge privileges following notice to any transporter who is delinquent in payment of fees or has otherwise violated city regulations in the discharge of waste at city sewage treatment facilities. Upon request, a suspended transporter shall be given a prompt hearing by the utility official or his designee. (Ord. No. 97-196, § 4, 2-19-97; Ord. No. 08-1229, § 22, 12-30-08)