Repeated following and harassment of a person.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 28-45
in effectSec. 28-45. - Repeated following and harassment of a person.
(a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, unless the context of their usage clearly indicates another meaning:
Bodily injury shall have the meaning ascribed to it by section 1.07 of the Texas Penal Code, as amended.
Follow shall mean to pursue, trail, shadow or chase a person.
Harass or harassed shall mean to engage, or have engaged in, a pattern of conduct or series of acts and threats over a period of time directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to be placed in imminent fear of death, bodily injury or serious bodily injury.
Repeatedly shall mean on more than one occasion within a one-year period.
Serious bodily injury shall have the meaning ascribed to it by section 1.07 of the Texas Penal Code, as amended.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly and repeatedly harass any other person or follow any other person under circumstances in which that person has previously harassed the person being followed.
(c) It is an affirmative defense to any prosecution under this section that the conduct proscribed under this section is engaged in by a peace officer or federal law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his or her duties while in the course of investigating a criminal offense or possible criminal activity.
(d) Violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00. However, any conduct proscribed hereunder that also constitutes an offense under state law shall not be prosecuted under this section, but shall be prosecuted pursuant to and punishable as provided by the applicable state law.
(Ord. No. 92-1628, § 1, 12-16-92)
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_ARTIINGE_S28-45REFOHAPEFetched: 10/26/2026