The State of Texas has adopted the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC), with enforcement beginning September 1, 2026.
The City of Houston is inviting the public to review and comment on the proposed administrative provisions and local amendments for the 2026 NEC. These updates are primarily editorial changes to reflect the new code and are not intended to make substantive changes to the City's existing administrative provisions.
The proposed updates include:
- Section 502 - Adopted Standards: Update references to the 2026 NEC and 2023 National Electrical Safety Code.
- Section 504.3 - Grounding Electrode System: Update the referenced NEC edition to the 2026 NEC.
- Section 505 - Nonmetallic Sheathed Cable: Update the referenced NEC edition to the 2026 NEC.
- Section 513 - Articles Not Adopted: Update the referenced NEC edition, and identify NEC Section 210.8(F), regarding Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection for dwelling outdoor HVAC outlets, as not adopted, in accordance with state law.
Click the link to review the proposed Administrative Code Provisions for the 2026 NEC: https://bit.ly/3TG0kZn
The deadline to submit comments is Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
To submit comments, email [email protected] and include:
- The applicable section
- Your proposed language
- A brief explanation supporting the requested change
For questions, contact the Code Development Team at (832) 394-9000.