Complaints & Enforcement – Public Health Sanitation

Complaint Process - Public Health Sanitation Program 

To submit a complaint regarding public nuisances and/ or public restrooms, please contact your Local Health Department, local governmental authority, DSHS Regional Offices, or you may contact the Public Sanitation and Retail Food Safety Unit at 512-834-6788. 

Public Nuisance and Public Restrooms 

Email: PHSCPS@dshs.texas.gov 
Phone: 512-834-6788 

Mailing Address: 

Policy, Standards, and Quality Assurance Section 
Public Sanitation and Retail Food Safety Unit MC 1987 
Texas Department of State Health Services 
P. O. Box 149347 
Austin, TX 78714-9347 

Public Nuisance Complaints - Public Health Sanitation Program 

The Public Health Nuisance Complaints program investigates complaints from the public about accumulated rubbish, abandoned vehicles and appliances, tires, mosquitoes and conditions leading to mosquito breeding, high weeds, and other unsanitary conditions. 

Our program does not investigate Noise or Food Complaints. 

Noise complaints may be investigated by local law or code enforcement officials in your local city or county. 

Food Establishment and Foodborne Illness Complaint Guidance: 
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will refer public health nuisance complaints to municipalities and counties with local health departments or code enforcement officials. DSHS will respond to public health nuisance complaints in areas of the state that do not have a local health department or code enforcement officials. 

For more information, or to file a Public Health Nuisance Complaint, contact: 

 
Email: Public Health and Sanitation 
Phone: 512-834-6788 
Fax: 512-206-3792 
 
Public Health and Sanitation 
Environmental Operations Branch, Mail Code 2835 
Texas Department of State Health Services 
1100 W 49th St  
Austin, TX 78756-3199 
 

Complaint Process - Public Swimming Pools and Spas 

The Texas Department of State Health Services does not investigate public pool and spa complaints in counties or municipalities that have a local health department. If you wish to file a complaint about a public pool or spa, first contact the appropriate city or county government office. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services will investigate complaints about public pools and spas in areas of the State where there is no local health department. To submit a complaint regarding a suspected violation of the state pool regulations, please contact: 

Email: PHSCPS@dshs.texas.gov 

Complaint - Artificial Swimming Lagoons 

To submit a complaint regarding Artificial Swimming Lagoons, you may contact the Public Sanitation and Retail Food Safety Unit at 512-834-6788. 

Email: PHSCPS@dshs.texas.gov 
Phone: 512-834-6788 

Mailing Address: 

Policy, Standards, and Quality Assurance Section 
Public Sanitation and Retail Food Safety Unit MC 1987 
Texas Department of State Health Services 
P. O. Box 149347 
Austin, TX 78714-9347