Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. ch. 341 (subchs. A, B, E, F) § 341.082
APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER IN CERTAIN HOME-RULE MUNICIPALITIES.
Operative Text
Sec. 341.082. APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER IN CERTAIN HOME-RULE MUNICIPALITIES. (a) In a home-rule municipality, an environmental health officer may be appointed to enforce this chapter.(b) The environmental health officer must be a registered professional engineer. The officer must file a copy of the officer's oath and appointment with the department.(c) The environmental health officer shall assist the department in enforcing this chapter and is subject to:(1) the authority of the department; and(2) removal from office in the same manner as a municipal health authority. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 597, Sec. 76, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 742, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0867, eff. April 2, 2015. SUBCHAPTER F. PENALTIES
Section 341.082 of the Texas Health & Safety Code authorizes home-rule municipalities to appoint an environmental health officer to help enforce the state's public health and sanitation standards covered under Chapter 341. Any person appointed to this role must be a registered professional engineer and must file a copy of their oath and appointment with the state department. The officer works under the department's authority and can be removed from office in the same manner as a municipal health authority.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Tex. Health & Safety Code § 341.082, home-rule municipalities may designate an environmental health officer who assists the state department in enforcing Chapter 341's sanitation and public health requirements. Property owners and managers operating in such municipalities should be aware that enforcement of applicable health and sanitation standards may come from this locally appointed officer, acting under state authority. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties in accordance with Chapter 341 standards regardless of which enforcement official conducts inspections.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tex. Health & Safety Code § 341.082 means that in certain Texas home-rule municipalities, an environmental health officer—who must be a registered professional engineer—may be the local point of contact for enforcing the public health and sanitation rules found in Chapter 341. Tenants who believe their housing conditions violate those standards may have the option of contacting their municipality's environmental health officer or the state department to report concerns. Tenant-rights organizations can help identify the appropriate local or state body to contact based on the specific municipality involved.
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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