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Used & Scrap Tire Generator/Transporter Program

On October 21, 2015, City Council unanimously approved the Scrap Tire Ordinance due to an immediate need to alleviate the environmental dangers posed by the numerous illegal tire piles within Houston. Reducing and eliminating the illegal dumping of tires will positively affect neighborhoods and city services. The ordinance became effective January 1, 2016.

The Scrap Tire Ordinance is in the City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 39, Article VIII relating to Storage, Transportation and Disposal of Tires. All businesses that are involved in the used/scrap tire business will be required to register and/or obtain a permit annually with the City of Houston.

The Scrap Tire Program will:
  • Permit each tire transporter including the issuance of decals to be displayed on trucks hauling tires within the City limits;
  • Register each tire generator annually to allow inspection of their manifest records; and
  • Increase audit frequency and depth of manifest records kept by both generators and transporters.
Scrap Tire

A "scrap tire" is a tire that a generator has rendered unusable; or a tire that can no longer be used for its original intended purpose because it has:

  • Tire thread less than one-sixteenth inch deep;
  • Chunking, bumps, knots, or bulges evidencing cord, ply, or tread separation from the casing or other adjacent material; or
  • Exposed tire cords or belting material as a result of damage to the tire.
Scrap Tire Generator

“Scrap tire generator” means a fleet operator, an automotive dismantler, or a retailer, wholesaler, manufacturer, recapper, or retreader of new or used tires. In order to register as a scrap tire generator the Scrap Tire Generator Registration Application must be completed and submitted to the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department.

Scrap Tire Transporter

"Scrap tire transporter” means a person who is responsible for causing tires to move along a public street from one location to another within the city. In order to register as a tire transporter the Scrap Tire Transporter Permit Application must be completed and submitted to the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department.

   
Scrap Tire Problems

Over 24 million scrap tires are discarded in Texas every year. It costs the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department $1 million annually to collect and dispose of illegally dumped tires.

Scrap Tires – A Risk to Public Health and the Environment

Scrap tires exposed to the elements can:

  • Provide good living conditions for mosquitoes that can spread diseases such as Encephalitis, West Nile Virus and Zika Virus.
  • Provide breeding grounds for rats, snakes, ticks and other vectors.
  • Become a fire hazard since tire fires are difficult to extinguish.
  • Could release dangerous contaminants into the air, water and soil.
APPLICATION PROCESS
  1. Complete a TRANSPORTER of GENERATOR application
  2. Submit application
  3. COH will issue permit number and window decal
  4. Display decal on vehicles(s)
  5. Renew permit yearly
 INFORMATION