SECURITY

Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 2, art. XII

in effect

Houston Code of Ordinances § 2-411 Definitions.

Sec. 2-411. - Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless the context of their usage clearly indicates another meaning: City premises means a property or portion of a property that is owned by the city or is in the possession of the city by a lease or other right and is regularly maintained or occupied by employees of the city and utilized for the conducting of business of the city. Secure area means any area upon any city premises to which access is controlled by a security system or security post. Security post means any location on city premises that is manned by any contract security officer, certified peace officer or city security personnel. Security system means magnetometers, X-ray devices, card-operated entry systems, camera surveillance systems, operating regulations and related measures, or any combination thereof, that may be installed, promulgated and operated upon any city premises to ensure that persons entering a secure area do not have weapons in their possession. Security official means the director of the general services department or such individual as the said director may designate as the official primarily responsible for the administration and enforcement of this article. Weapon means a firearm, explosive device, club, knife or other offensive or defensive instrument as more particularly defined by regulation of the mayor under this article. (Ord. No. 95-1200, § 3, 11-15-95; Ord. No. 09-15, § 2, 1-14-09)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 2-412 Article cumulative.

Sec. 2-412. - Article cumulative. The provisions of this article are cumulative of all state and federal laws and other ordinances, civil service rules and regulations of the city. Without limitation of the foregoing, the provisions of this article shall not be applicable to the airport security systems established under applicable federal laws and regulations or to the municipal courts security systems established under chapter 16 of this Code, nor shall the provisions of this article be construed to limit more restrictive provisions with respect to the possession of weapons by city employees. (Ord. No. 95-1200, § 3, 11-15-95; Ord. No. 09-15, § 2, 1-14-09)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 2-413 Regulations for security system.

Sec. 2-413. - Regulations for security system. Consistent with applicable state and federal laws, the mayor may promulgate regulations relating to establishment of secure areas and the installation and operation of security systems. (Ord. No. 95-1200, § 3, 11-15-95; Ord. No. 09-15, § 2, 1-14-09)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 2-414 Entry into secure areas.

Sec. 2-414. - Entry into secure areas. It shall be unlawful for any person to enter or attempt to enter a secure area without fully complying with the applicable provisions of the security system or security post. (Ord. No. 95-1200, § 3, 11-15-95; Ord. No. 09-15, § 2, 1-14-09)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 2-415 Weapons on city premises.

Sec. 2-415. - Weapons on city premises. (a) The mayor is authorized to establish regulations consistent with applicable state and federal laws relating to the possession of certain weapons upon city premises. (b) Signage consistent with applicable state and federal laws to advise persons of Texas Penal Code provisions relating to the possession of certain weapons on specified city premises may be posted upon those city premises, and copies of such provisions made available for inspection upon each premises to which they pertain and in the office of the city secretary. (c) Compliance with regulations promulgated under this section is a condition of the entry upon and use of each premises to which they are applicable. (d) All employees and contract security personnel of the city are authorized for and on behalf of the city to notify any person who fails to comply with any regulation promulgated under this section to depart from the applicable city premises. (e) Any person who enters or remains on city premises after written notice not to enter or verbal notice to depart as required by section 30.05 of the Texas Penal Code shall be subject to prosecution under section 30.05 of the Texas Penal Code for criminal trespass in addition to prosecution for any other crime that he may have committed. (f) Any person who carries a prohibited weapon, including a handgun licensed under subchapter H, chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code, on city premises prohibited by sections 46.03 and 46.035 of the Texas Penal Code shall be subject to prosecution under sections and 46.03 and 46.035(c) of the Texas Penal Code. (Ord. No. 95-1200, § 3, 11-15-95; Ord. No. 09-15, § 2, 1-14-09)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 2-416 Counterfeiting, imitating, or altering city identification badges

Sec. 2-416. - Counterfeiting, imitating, or altering city identification badges It is unlawful for any person to counterfeit, imitate, alter or attempt to counterfeit, imitate, or alter a city identification badge issued or approved by the security official. (Ord. No. 09-15, § 2, 1-14-09)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 2-417 Unlawful use of expired or deactivated city identification badges.

Sec. 2-417. - Unlawful use of expired or deactivated city identification badges. It is unlawful for any person to use or attempt to use an expired or deactivated city identification badge for the purpose of entering city premises. (Ord. No. 09-15, § 2, 1-14-09)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 2-418 Unlawful use of city identification badge by others.

Sec. 2-418. - Unlawful use of city identification badge by others. (a) It is unlawful for an authorized holder of a city identification badge to permit anyone else to use the authorized holder's badge for any purpose, including entry onto city premises and into secured areas. (b) It is unlawful for any person other than the authorized holder to use a city identification badge issued to an authorized holder for any purpose including entry onto city premises and into secured areas. (Ord. No. 09-15, § 2, 1-14-09)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 2-419 Penalty.

Sec. 2-419. - Penalty. Any person who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction, be fined an amount not less than $100.00, nor more than $500.00. Each day that any such violation continues shall constitute and be punishable as a separate offense. (Ord. No. 09-15, § 2, 1-14-09)

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_CH2AD_ARTXIISEFetched: 10/26/2026