Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. ch. 341 (subchs. A, B, E, F) § 341.001
DEFINITIONS.
Operative Text
Sec. 341.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1, Sec. 3.1639(72), eff. April 2, 2015.(2) "Department" means the Department of State Health Services.(3) "Drinking water" means water distributed by an individual or public or private agency for human consumption, for use in preparing food or beverages, or for use in cleaning a utensil or article used in preparing food or beverages for, or consuming food or beverages by, human beings. The term includes water supplied for human consumption or used by an institution catering to the public.(3-a) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.(4) "Human excreta" means the urinary and bowel discharges of a human.(5) "Person" means an individual, corporation, organization, government, business trust, partnership, association, or any other legal entity.(6) "Privy" means a facility for the disposal of human excreta.(7) "Sanitary" means a condition of good order and cleanliness that precludes the probability of disease transmission.(8) "Septic tank" means a covered water-tight tank designed for sewage treatment.(9) "Toilet" means the hopper device for the deposit and discharge of human excreta into a water carriage system.(10) "Tourist court" means a camping place or group of two or more mobile or permanent housing units operated as rental property for the use of transient trade or trailer units housing humans.(11) "Water supply" means a source or reservoir of water distributed and used for human consumption.(12) "Water supply system operator" means a person who:(A) is trained in the purification or distribution of a public water supply; (B) has a practical working knowledge of the chemistry and bacteriology essential to the practical mechanics of water purification; and(C) is capable of conducting and maintaining the purification processes in an efficient manner. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0858, eff. April 2, 2015.Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.1639(72), eff. April 2, 2015.
Section 341.001 of the Texas Health & Safety Code establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 341, which governs public health and sanitation standards. Key terms defined include 'drinking water,' 'sanitary,' 'septic tank,' 'toilet,' 'tourist court,' and 'water supply system operator,' among others. These definitions set the scope and meaning of the rules that follow in the chapter, ensuring consistent interpretation of the standards applied to housing, water systems, and sanitation facilities across Texas.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers—particularly those operating rental housing, tourist courts, or facilities with shared water or sanitation systems—should be familiar with the definitions established in Tex. Health & Safety Code § 341.001, as these terms govern how compliance obligations throughout Chapter 341 are interpreted. For example, the definition of 'tourist court' specifically includes groups of two or more mobile or permanent housing units rented to transient occupants, which may affect how certain operators classify and manage their properties. Compliant operators generally ensure that their facilities meet the 'sanitary' standard defined in § 341.001(7) as a condition of good order and cleanliness that prevents disease transmission.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in rental housing—including mobile or semi-permanent units that may qualify as a 'tourist court' under Tex. Health & Safety Code § 341.001(10)—benefit from understanding the definitions in this section, as they form the basis for the health and sanitation standards that apply to their living conditions. The definition of 'sanitary' in § 341.001(7), for instance, underpins requirements throughout Chapter 341 that landlords maintain conditions preventing disease transmission. Tenants who believe their housing falls short of these standards may consider contacting local health authorities, the Texas Department of State Health Services, or a tenant-rights organization to understand what options may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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