Environmental Public Health Division

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Does Harris County Require any Environmental Permits?
   
   The only permits required by Harris County are Flood Plain Permits and Septic Tank Permits. The County Engineer issues these. His telephone number is (713) 956-3000.
   
   
2. Can I burn my trash and leaves?

   If you live in the unincorporated areas of Harris County you can burn trash and leaves produced at your residence if you do not have regular garbage service provided by a government agency. You should check your deed restrictions also. You cannot burn any material generated by a business. If you live inside the Houston City Limits contact the Bureau of Air Quality Control at 640-4200 for information on burning. If you live inside the city limits of any other city, call your city health department or fire marshal.

   You may not cause a nuisance to your neighbors under any circumstances.
   

3. How do I make a complaint or report a pollution violation?
   • If you live in the unincorporated area of Harris County or inside the city limits of any city except Houston, you can call us at (713) 920-2831, 24 hours per day.
   • If you live inside the Houston City limits, call (713) 640-4200 for air pollution complaints or (713) 640-4399 for water pollution complaints.
   • If you live outside Harris County, call the TCEQ at (713) 767-3500.
   • Your name will be kept confidential.
   
   
4. How do I dispose of my household hazardous waste?
   • Instructions at this link
     

5. Where can I recycle?
   • Call (713) 551-7355 for locations inside the Houston City limits.
   • Call 1-800-cleanup (1-800-253-2687) for locations outside the Houston City limits.
   • For information on buying recycled content products, call 1-800-367-8272 .