Installation of water meters.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 47-18
in effectSec. 47-18. - Installation of water meters.
(a) Subject to the provisions of section 47-18.1 of this Code, the department shall not accept an application for the purchase of a water meter unless the application includes payment in full for the meter and appurtenances as well as the inspection fee. Provided, however, if a meter has already been installed, the applicant may exchange the meter for a larger meter and pay the city the difference between the cost of the original meter and the new larger meter plus the inspection fee.
(b) The utility official shall prescribe regulations for the furnishing and installation of meters by private contractors. Any person turning on the water without written approval of the department shall be guilty of an offense.
(c) The department shall charge for meters at the actual cost to the city, including cost for the meter, meter box and the required electronic devices. The department shall also charge for its inspection of the meters at the rates stated for this provision in the city fee schedule. The department shall not furnish water service until the applicant pays all charges required by the city.
(d) The applicant or his designated agent may request that the department set a time for the inspection of the water meter tap. If the applicant or its agent fails to keep the appointment and does not provide at least one hour's notice to the department, the department shall charge the agent an additional fee stated for this provision in the city fee schedule.
(Code 1968, § 49-17; Ord. No. 73-836, § 2, 5-8-73; Ord. No. 78-631, § 2, 3-29-78; Ord. No. 83-19, § 2, 1-11-83; Ord. No. 90-635, § 153, 5-23-90; Ord. No. 07-599, § 8, 5-16-07; Ord. No. 2011-1168, § 13, 12-14-2011)
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_ARTIINGE_S47-18INWAMEFetched: 10/26/2026