Many City Services Have Amended Operations for COVID-19 Response:

Updated: 9.25.2020

Emergency Services (Police and Fire):
Open and Operating

The Houston Police Department (HPD) is providing law enforcement security at the testing sites at Butler and Delmar stadiums. The HPD response to calls for service remains uninterrupted. Arrests and citizen contacts are being handled in accordance with COVID-19 department guidelines where possible.

Houston 311:
 Open and Operating
Houston Airport System:

Open & Operating
Intercontinental Airport
Hobby Airport

Houston Airports (HAS) remains committed to maintain the health and well-being of its employees and the traveling public. HAS with public health organizations and its federal, state and local partners are taking concrete actions to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and keep the community safe. You can find updates on our COVID-19 response efforts at fly2houston.com/COVID-19

For a live update on international processing times go to: https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/international-travel/

Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department:

The Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department (ARA) provides a wide variety of administrative services to the City of Houston’s departments, such as 311 service request routing, payroll processing, asset disposition, citywide policy management, internal mail services, records management, and insurance risk management.

ARA also regulates a wide variety of activities such as on-street parking, pet ownership, vehicles for hire, investor-owned utilities, the City’s public rights-of-ways, burglar/panic alarm ownership, sexually-oriented businesses, scrap metal dealers, game rooms, and many others. The department also coordinates the City’s activities aimed at building a sustainable city for the future.

BARC Animal Shelters & Adoptions:

Guest and employees visitng City of Houston facilities will be required to wear face-coverings and undergo a no-touch thermometer temperature check beginning Monday, June 1, 2020.

In the interest of maximizing social distancing while continuing to provide opportunities for pet adoptions, wellness and other BARC services to continue to the public, effective immediately, BARC is implementing the following procedural changes:

Animal intake/ drop-off will be by appointment only starting Friday, April  10, 2020 and will be a drive-thru service only until further notice.

  • If you would like to schedule an animal turn-in, please click: *BARC will not turn away any sick or injured animals.
  • We ask the community to assist by not picking any stray animals unless citizens are prepared to care for them at home.
  • We also request that non-emergency, owner surrenders (i.e. turning in an owned pet) be postponed allowing BARC the resources to deal with emergency surrenders resulting from the current crisis.
  • BARC is providing pet food and crates, as available, to all citizens to support them in keeping animals in their possession. Other resources are available as well upon request.
  • Public Wellness for Pets will be by appointment only. Available times are Thursday – Tuesday from noon – 4pm and will be a curbside service only until further notice. Please click to schedule a wellness appointment for your pet. (*Max limit is 2 pets per person)
  • Foster Clinic services will be by appointment only. Available times are Thursday – Tuesday from noon – 4pm and will be a curbside service only until further notice. Please click to schedule.
  • Lost Pets/ Return to Owners will park vehicles and walk-through BARC.
  • Foster and Rescue Pick-up is a curbside service only for pre-selected pets and will be brought out to the customer’s vehicle.
  • Animal Adoptions is a curbside process located at 3300 Carr Street
  • Volunteer Services have been temporarily suspended to protect our valuable volunteers and to allow for social distancing within the shelter.
  • Bite Case/Rabies Quarantine will continue regularly scheduled service hours Monday – Sunday 9am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm.

Thank you for your patience and continued support; we apologize for any inconvenience these new measures may cause. We understand that the scheduling of appointments for customers at any given time may result in delays, but we ask for your patience and understanding as we do everything, we can to maintain the health and safety of our customers, our employees, and the animals in our care.

Read more on BARC’s site: https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/

Housing & Community Development Department:

HCDD is OPEN for business as usual at 2100 Travis St., 9th floor. Many of our staff are working remotely. All visitors will be required to wear masks and have their temperatures taken at the 9th floor. We take the safety of our staff and residents very seriously.

The four Housing Resource Centers have re-opened but are limited to scheduled appointments and document drop-off only. Please see recovery.houstontx.gov for locations and information.

During our time of remote work, many scammers have contacted our clients. Please be cautious of fraud. Download a helpful tip sheet about fraudulent calls at recovery.houstontx.gov/report-fraud/

Our weekly Community Office Hours are still happening virtually! You can join us from 1pm-4pm each Wednesday by calling any of: 832-394-6912, 832-394-6227, or 832-394-6126.Our GIS team maintains a resource dashboard collecting #covid19 information at avirus-response-mycity.hub.arcgis.com. Check out some of the visualizations there!

As always, our work continues even remotely. We ask everyone to take care and #MaskUp to keep one another safe! Learn more on HCD’s website: https://houstontx.gov/housing/

Houston Health Department:

The Houston Health Department is open and providing core services, with the following temporary modifications: Multi Service Centers are open with access limited to clients of existing tenants. Group events of more than 10 people are being rescheduled. The Eligibility Assistance service, which provides screening and certification for health care programs such as Medicaid and Harris Health, is consolidating to the West End Multi-Service Center. Read news release for more information.

The Harris County/Houston case dashboard updates daily at 4 p.m. at http://HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 where you will also find info about protecting your family and community.

COVID-19 Registry:

The COVID-19 Registry is a research study that provides real-time information on the spread of COVID-19, who is being affected, and how.

The COVID-19 Registry will help to:

  • Track virus spread over time and across geography
  • Measure economic and health impacts
  • Anticipate healthcare needs as the pandemic unfolds
  • Understand behavior in response to policy changes
  • Identify popular and effective sources of information

Once you join the COVID-19 Registry and take the initial survey, you will be asked to participate in follow-up surveys to update your health and economic situation. This information will help monitor changes over the duration of the pandemic.

Data from the registry will be stored in a highly secure system built by Rice University. Things that we learn from the registry will be published, but will not include any information that would identify you or any other participant.

Click the complete the registry.

Park Houston:

With the temporary suspension of face-to-face parking adjudication hearings at the Municipal Court, and in an effort to continue to encourage the health and safety of the public from the spread of the COVID-19, ParkHouston has extended the time frame to dispute parking citations online from 7 days from citation issuance date to 60 days from citation issuance date.

Please be advised while the time to protest online is being extended, delinquent fees will still be assessed per city ordinance.  As updated directives are received, this timeline is subject to change.  For questions please contact ParkHouston at 832-393-8690 from 8am-5pm, M-F.

Houston Parks & Recreation Department:


For information concerning the Gus Wortham Golf Course please visit http://www.guswortham.org/
For information concerning the Hermann Park Golf Course please visit http://www.hermannparkgc.com/
To read Houston BCycle’s press release visit Houston BCycle

Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs:

The Houston Arts Alliance has compiled a list of resources to help artists and non-profits navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. HAA has also launched a survey designed to collect information about the financial and human impacts that the spread of the coronavirus have had on arts and cultural organizations and artists since that date.

The CARES Act creates a temporary Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program to provide payment to those not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, and those with limited work history) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency. We urge you to apply now.

For an FAQ about how to apply, visit https://ready.haatx.com/covid-19#/unemployment/.

Permitting Center:

On Monday, June 1, 2020, the Houston Permitting Center re-opened for in-person assistance. Many in-person services will be available by appointment only. Walk-in service is available to make a payment at the cashier.

Continued use of our online services is highly recommended and encouraged to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Gaining Entry to Building

In accordance with Administrative Policy 3-39, any person over 2 years of age, including customers, employees and contractors, must pass a temperature check and wear a face covering to gain entry to the building.

Any person refusing a temperature check or having a temperature of 100.4°F or higher will be denied entry.

Any person refusing to wear a face covering, but can medically tolerate it, will be denied entry. Customers and guests should bring their own face coverings. Face coverings will not be provided by the HPC to non-employees.

Limiting exposure while indoors

Face covering must be worn while in the building when social distancing is difficult, such as in an elevator, waiting area, conference room, or other shared space.

For the protection of other customers, seating in waiting areas has been limited to maintain social distancing guidelines. In addition, seating at the permit counter and other service counters has been limited to one guest.

If waiting areas become full, customers may be asked to wait outside or in their vehicles until space is available.

As a courtesy to others, customers are requested not to linger or loiter once their business is complete.

Visit houstonpermittingcenter.org for more information.

Planning Department:

Planning Commission meetings have moved online as a part of social distancing efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy!

You can participate online via a meeting link or watch on HTV. For meeting instructions on how to join the meeting and give public comment, visit the Planning Commission page at https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Commissions/commiss_plan.html.

For questions, contact us at 832-393-6600 or planningdepartment@houstontx.gov.

Stay safe and healthy and remember to complete the 2020 Census Survey online at My2020Census.gov!

Houston Public Works:

Join us to learn more about the Capital Projects in your area through a virtual public meeting. The meeting will discuss project information, preparing for construction as well as a Q&A session.

Learn more about upcoming virtual meetings: https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/engage/

Department of Neighborhoods:

The Department of Neighborhoods offices are open, and we continue to provide core services to residents through our four divisions, including inspections and code enforcement, citizen assistance, services to immigrant and refugee communities, and programs for youth at risk of gang involvement.

To practice social distancing as a way of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19, we encourage residents and the general public to reach us by phone or email. For full information about our services, please visit www.houstontx.gov/neighborhoods.

For questions regarding residential code violations and notices issued by our department, please call our Inspections and Public Service Call Center at 832-394-0600. To reach our main office, call 832-393-1038 or email us at contact.don@houstontx.gov. To request public records, please email your request to don.openrecords@houstontx.gov.

Mayor's Office of Special Events:

Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Sept. 9 that the City of Houston would allow a limited number of special events beginning this week as long as they are held in a controlled environment and organizers follow strict COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

The Houston Health Department and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events will carefully review all event requests. Parades, fun runs, walks, biking events, and festivals are on hold through the remainder of the year.

Approved limited events will:

  • Start with a small audience, allowing up to 25% of a controlled venue’s normal occupancy.
  • Ensure that everyone wears masks, practices social distancing, has their temperature checked, and answers the COVID-19 questionnaire upon entry.
  • The City will work with producers on health and safety protocols for live special events with audiences.

The first three approved events include:

  1. On Thursday, the Houston Texans will hold a “Drive-In Tail Gate Party” in their parking lot – 100 cars with four people maximum per car, for potentially 400 people.
  2. The Houston Symphony will stage a concert series in Jones Hall for the Performing Arts. The Symphony will only allow a maximum of 150 guests to attend the performance in a 3,000-seat venue.
  3. The Houston Dynamo and Dash will host their game series for the first time this year with less than 25% capacity of BBVA Stadium.

To achieve success, we must all work together,” said Mayor Turner, who was joined at the news conference by Local Health Authority Dr. David Persse, Susan Christian, director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and John Mangum, Executive Director and CEO of the Houston Symphony.

Watch the complete news conference as Mayor Turner and other speakcers provide a COVID-19 update and announce the return of a limited number of special events

View a full list of MOSE events here: https://www.houstontx.gov/specialevents/event-calendar.pdf

Municipal Courts Department:

The City of Houston Municipal Courts has suspended Jury Trials and Jury Duty through Sept. 30, 2020. Please click the Aug. 7, 2020 link below for the Court’s official Press Release for additional details.

Houston Public Libraries:

On Tuesday, July 14, Houston Public Library announced more neighborhood libraries will participate in the popular “HPL TO GO” services. HPL TO GO is a contactless curbside service offering pickup of materials at 16 locations! To utilize the service, customers can schedule their pickup time and preferred location.

Customers can place their materials on hold at www.houstonlibrary.org or by calling 832-393-1313. They will then receive notification by phone or email when materials are ready. Once customer arrives at the curbside library, they can simply call and an HPL staff member will deliver the materials and place items directly in the trunk of the car or through a passenger window.

HPL is making the safety and well-being of customers and employees a priority while offering this service. To maintain social distancing and to enhance safety, HPL staff will always wear protective masks and gloves. Also, all returned items will be quarantined for 72 hours before being made available for additional checkout.

No car, no problem. Customers that have been notified and are walking or riding a bike can also pick up reserved materials. They can simply call their curbside library upon arrival and an employee will deliver the requested materials.

HPL TO GO – The safety of our community is our top priority. Curbside operations will be scaled to the following locations until further notice:

Bracewell Neighborhood Library
9002 Kingspoint Dr., 77075, 832-393-2580
Collier Regional Library
6200 Pinemont, 77092, 832-393-1740
Heights Neighborhood Library
1302 Heights Blvd., 77008, 832-393-1810
Henington-Alief Regional Library
7979 South Kirkwood Rd., 77072, 832-393-1820
Hillendahl Neighborhood Library
2436 Gessner Rd., 77080, 832-393-1940
Jungman Neighborhood Library
5830 Westheimer Rd., 77057, 832-393-1860
Looscan Neighborhood Library
2510 Willowick, 77027, 832-393-1900
McGovern-Stella Link Regional Library
7405 Stella Link, 77025, 832-393-2630
Park Place Regional Library
8145 Park Place, 77017, 832-393-1970
Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library
3223 Wilcrest, 77042, 832-393-2011
Scenic Woods Regional Library
10677 Homestead Rd., 77016, 832-393-2030
Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library
8501 West Montgomery, 77088, 832-393-1700
Stanaker Neighborhood Library
611 S-Sgt. Macario Garcia, 77011, 832-393-2080
Tuttle Neighborhood Library
702 Kress, 77020, 832-393-2100
Young Neighborhood Library
5107 Griggs Rd., 77021, 832-393-2140

Hours of service at each library location will be:
Monday, 12 PM – 7 PM | Wednesday, 9 AM – 4 PM
Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM | Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM

BookLink, Located Downtown in One Allen Center
Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM (no appointment necessary)
This BookLink serves as a pickup location for materials requested from the Central Library collection.

As a precautionary measure, curbside operations will be suspended at the following locations until further notice:

  • Johnson Neighborhood Library
  • Moody Neighborhood Library
  • Smith Neighborhood Library
  • Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library
  • Walter Neighborhood Library

Other recently added HPL services include the reopening of its Book Drops, and while HPL neighborhood libraries remain closed, Houstonians can continue enjoying their library in the comfort of their homes. HPL has added a robust collection of online resources that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for kids, teens, and adults. Visit www.houstonlibrary.org to find virtual programs, and digital resources including e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming music and videos, online learning, online tutoring, and more.


About the Houston Public Library
The Houston Public Library (HPL) operates 37 neighborhood libraries, three HPL Express Libraries, a Central Library, the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, The African American Library at the Gregory School, and the Parent Resource Library located in the Children’s Museum of Houston. With more than eight million visits per year in person and online, HPL is committed to excellent customer service and equitable access to information and programs by providing library customers with free use of a diverse collection of printed materials and electronic resources, Internet, laptop and computer use, and a variety of database and reference resources with live assistance online 24/7.

For further information, visit the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org, on Twitter @houstonlibrary, on Facebook – @houstonlibrary or call 832-393-1313.

Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities:

To decrease the community spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center (MMSC) is closed to the public till further notice.

Houstonians with disabilities can still contact MOPD staff for referrals and constituent services by calling 832-394-0814 or by emailing mopdmail@houstontx.gov Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information about testing sites, visit houstonemergency.org/covid19 or call the Houston Health Department call center at 832.393.4220. Please self-report that you are a person with a disability to learn about potential options for either in-home testing or getting transportation to a testing site.

West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center:

The West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center (MMSC) team, including the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD), have been closely monitoring community developments in regards to the operations of the MMSC during this public health emergency. To decrease the community spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the following measures were put into effect March 18, 2020:

  • The West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center is closed until further notice
  • All HPARD and MOPD led events and activities at the MMSC will be cancelled through Thursday, April 30, 2020
  • Consistent with Mayor Sylvester Turner’s emergency declaration and guidance from the Houston Health Department (HHD), private events, private leagues and private gatherings with 10 people or more are cancelled through Thursday, April 30, 2020
  • Houstonians with disabilities can still contact MOPD staff for referrals and constituent services by calling 832-394-0814 or by emailing mopdmail@houstontx.gov during normal business hours
  • MMSC outdoor amenities (tennis courts, trail, ball field and playground) will remain open to the public

Any changes to these procedures will be communicated through our social media channels and on our website. Houstonians should visit www.houstonemergency.org/covid19 for updated information about local risk, routine protective actions, frequently asked questions, communication resources, rumor control, emergency preparedness tips, and more.

Note: to support social distancing guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the monthly meetings of the Houston Commission on Disabilities will be held online until further notice. To request time for public comment, please email mopdmail@houstontx.gov or call 832-394-0814.

Memorial Park:

MEMORIAL PARK IS CURRENTLY OPEN, AND THE CONSERVANCY IS CLOSELY MONITORING OPERATIONS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19. FOR THE LATEST CONSERVANCY INFORMATION, VISIT their COVID-19 SAFETY PAGE AND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.