Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. ch. 214 (subchs. A, B, C, G, H, I, Z) § 214.013
SEWER CONNECTIONS.
Operative Text
Sec. 214.013. SEWER CONNECTIONS. (a) A municipality may:(1) provide for a sanitary sewer system; and(2) require property owners to connect to the sewer system.(b) If an owner does not connect to the sewer system, the municipality may:(1) fix a lien against the owner's property;(2) charge the cost of the connection to the owner as a personal liability; and(3) impose a penalty on the owner. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 51, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.
Under Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.013, Texas municipalities have the authority to build and operate sanitary sewer systems and to require that property owners within their jurisdiction connect to those systems. If a property owner fails to make the required connection, the municipality is empowered to take several enforcement actions: placing a lien on the property, holding the owner personally liable for the cost of the connection, and imposing a financial penalty. This provision establishes both the municipal power to mandate sewer connectivity and the range of consequences available when that mandate is not followed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to a municipal sewer connection requirement under Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.013 should be aware that compliance is not optional once a municipality has issued a connection mandate. Operators who manage properties in Texas municipalities with active sewer systems generally confirm whether a connection order applies to their parcels and arrange for timely hookup to avoid the financial and legal consequences the statute authorizes. Failure to connect can expose an owner to a property lien, personal liability for connection costs, and additional municipal penalties — all of which can complicate property transfers and financing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in properties that may lack a required sewer connection should know that Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.013 gives municipalities the power to compel property owners to connect to sanitary sewer systems. If a rental property appears to lack a proper sewer connection in a municipality that has mandated one, tenants may have grounds to raise the issue with local municipal code enforcement or housing authorities, who can investigate and pursue the remedies the statute provides. Tenant-rights organizations in Texas can help residents understand how this provision interacts with habitability standards and what local complaint processes may be available.
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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