Appeals.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 28-160
in effectSec. 28-160. - Appeals.
(a) Request for appeal. An applicant or owner or operator of a facility may appeal a denial of an application for or renewal of a permit or the revocation of a permit within ten business days after date of deposit of written notice in the mail by submitting a written request for an appeal to the director. If the applicant does not request a hearing within ten business days, the denial is effective and final on the eleventh business day after the date of the director's notice of denial.
(b) Conduct of hearing; rules and procedures. An appeal hearing shall be conducted on a single weekday within 20 business days after the director receives a request for appeal and shall last no longer than eight hours. Further, an appeal hearing shall be informal and conducted under rules established by the director consistent with the informal nature of the proceedings; provided, however, the following rules shall apply to all appeal hearings conducted under this section:
(1) All parties shall have the right to representation by an attorney licensed to practice in Texas, though an attorney is not required;
(2) Each party may present witnesses in his own behalf;
(3) Each party shall have the right to cross examine all witnesses; and
(4) The hearing officer shall consider only the evidence presented at the appeal hearing in rendering a final decision.
(c) Authority of hearing officer. The hearing officer may affirm or reverse a denial or revocation under this article. The hearing officer shall affirm a denial or revocation if he determines by a preponderance of the evidence that grounds exist for the denial or revocation, respectively. The decision of the hearing official shall be final.
(d) Notice of decision. The hearing official shall give written notice of the decision to the applicant or owner or operator of the facility and the reasons therefor. The notice shall be provided by certified mail, return receipt requested, as soon after the conclusion of the hearing as practicable, but not more than 30 business days thereafter.
(Ord. No. 2018-227, § 2(Exh. A), 3-22-2018)
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_CH28MIOFPR_ARTIVCOFAALHOFA_S28-160APFetched: 10/26/2026