The City of Houston's Scrap Tire Generator and Transporter Program helps reduce illegal tire dumping across our city and supports safer, cleaner neighborhoods. This program is part of the City’s effort to combat public health and environmental risks caused by improper tire disposal.

Why This Program Matters

Illegal tire dumping has long been a problem in Houston. Over 24 million scrap tires are discarded in Texas each year, and the City spends more than $1 million annually collecting and disposing of tires that are dumped illegally. These tires:

• Become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, rats, snakes, and other pests.
• Contribute to the spread of diseases like West Nile Virus, Zika, and Encephalitis.
• Pose a fire hazard, releasing harmful pollutants into the air, water, and soil when burned.

To address this issue, Houston City Council unanimously approved the Scrap Tire Ordinance on October 21, 2015. The ordinance went into effect on January 1, 2016, and is found in the City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 39, Article VIII.

Program Requirements

Under the Scrap Tire Ordinance, businesses involved in the used or scrap tire industry must register with the City annually. This includes both generators and transporters of scrap tires.

1. Scrap Tire Generator

A scrap tire generator is any business that generates unusable or worn-out tires. This includes:

• Fleet operators
• Automotive dismantlers
• Retailers or wholesalers
• Tire manufacturers, recappers, and retreaders

All generators must:

• Register annually with the City
• Maintain and submit manifest records
• Allow inspections by City staff

Download the Scrap Tire Generator Registration Application (PDF)
Descargar en español - Aplicación de Registro de Generador de Llantas Usadas (PDF)

2. Scrap Tire Transporter

A scrap tire transporter is any person or company responsible for moving tires along public roads within Houston city limits.

All transporters must:

• Apply for an annual permit
• Display decals issued by the City on each vehicle used to transport tires
• Maintain accurate manifest records

Download the Scrap Tire Transporter Permit Application (PDF)
Descargar en español - Aplicación de Permiso de Transportista de Llantas Usadas (PDF)

What is a Scrap Tire?

A scrap tire is a tire that is no longer usable for its intended purpose. This includes tires that have:

• Less than 1/16 inch of tread depth
• Visible damage, such as bulges, bumps, or separation in the rubber
• Exposed cords or belts

What the Program Does

The Scrap Tire Program helps enforce city laws and improve compliance through the following:

• Permits all tire transporters, with vehicle decals issued for legal hauling
• Registers tire generators, allowing for on-site inspections
• Increases audits and reviews of tire tracking manifests

Help us keep Houston clean, safe, and healthy by following the proper procedures for scrap tire disposal.