Definitions.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 15-122
in effectSec. 15-122. - Definitions.
The following terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Contracting entity means a person, whether acting as an individual or operating as a sole proprietorship, corporation, non-profit corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, or other entity, regardless of the form of its organization, that seeks to enter into a contract that requires approval by the city council, but shall exclude governmental entities.
Controller means the city controller.
Debt means any delinquent sum of money in an amount greater than $100.00 levied, imposed or assessed against any contracting entity, or owner thereof, by the city for ad valorem taxes on real or personal property located within the boundaries of the city.
Debtor means a contracting entity, or owner thereof if the contracting entity is other than a person doing business as an individual or sole proprietorship, that owes a debt to the city, as shown by city or other governmental records.
Delinquent means past due, unpaid and no longer subject to challenge, protest or appeal, as those processes are described in the Texas Tax Code.
Indebted means owing a debt to the city, without regard to ability or inability to pay the same, where the amount is delinquent, provided that a debtor who remains current on all obligations of an installment agreement executed by the debtor regarding a debt shall not be deemed indebted for purposes of this article.
Initiating director means the director of the department responsible for a matter that is intended to, or does, result in the making of a contract or entry into another business transaction between a contracting entity and the city.
Owner means, with respect to a contracting entity, an individual contractor in his or her own name or as a sole proprietorship, and as to a contracting entity other than an individual or person operating as a sole proprietorship, any person who owns ten percent or more thereof, or, in the case of a non-profit corporation, any officer of the non-profit corporation.
(Ord. No. 2015-929, § 2, 9-30-2015)
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_CH15CO_ARTVIIICICOINCI_S15-122DEFetched: 10/26/2026