Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. ch. 214 (subchs. A, B, C, G, H, I, Z) § 214.215
ADOPTION OF REHABILITATION CODES OR PROVISIONS.
Operative Text
Sec. 214.215. ADOPTION OF REHABILITATION CODES OR PROVISIONS. (a) In this section, "rehabilitation" means the alteration, remodeling, enlargement, or repair of an existing structure.(b) A municipality that adopts a building code, other than the International Residential Code adopted under Section 214.212, shall adopt one of the following:(1) prescriptive provisions for rehabilitation as part of the municipality's building code; or(2) the rehabilitation code that accompanies the building code adopted by the municipality.(c) The rehabilitation code or prescriptive provisions do not apply to the rehabilitation of a structure to which the International Residential Code applies or to the construction of a new structure.(d) A municipality may:(1) adopt the rehabilitation code or prescriptive provisions for rehabilitation recommended by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners; or(2) amend its rehabilitation code or prescriptive provisions for rehabilitation.(e) A municipality shall enforce the prescriptive provisions for rehabilitation or the rehabilitation code in a manner consistent with the enforcement of the municipality's building code. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 331, Sec. 6.02, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Texas Local Government Code § 214.215 requires municipalities that adopt a building code (other than the International Residential Code under § 214.212) to also adopt either prescriptive rehabilitation provisions or a companion rehabilitation code covering alterations, remodeling, enlargements, and repairs to existing structures. These rehabilitation rules do not apply to structures already governed by the International Residential Code or to entirely new construction. Municipalities may follow the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners' recommendations or tailor their own rehabilitation standards, and they must enforce those standards with the same rigor applied to their general building code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 214.215, property owners undertaking alterations, remodeling, enlargements, or repairs to existing commercial or mixed-use structures in a Texas municipality should verify which rehabilitation code or prescriptive provisions that municipality has adopted. Compliant operators typically confirm with the local building department whether the municipality follows the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners' recommended rehabilitation code or a locally amended version before beginning work. Because enforcement of these rehabilitation provisions must mirror the municipality's broader building code enforcement, unpermitted or noncompliant rehabilitation work is subject to the same consequences as other building code violations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 214.215 means that tenants living in existing structures undergoing renovation or repair may have protections rooted in the municipality's adopted rehabilitation code, which governs how that work must be performed. If rehabilitation work in a rental property appears to be proceeding without proper permits or in violation of local standards, tenants can inquire with the local building or code enforcement department about which rehabilitation provisions apply. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how § 214.215 interacts with habitability obligations and what avenues exist for raising concerns about substandard or improperly permitted rehabilitation work.
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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