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Public Health Act 1936

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Public Health Act 1936 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 21 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

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  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part I Local Administration

    1. Local authorities and their districts

      1. 1. Local authorities for purposes of Act.

    2. Port health authorities and joint boards

      1. 2—5.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 6. Union of districts, or parts of districts, for certain purposes under joint board.

      3. 7. Restriction on discharge of functions by local authorities within united district.

      4. 8.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 9. General provisions as to orders constituting port health districts, united districts and joint boards.

      6. 10. Borrowing powers of port health authorities and joint boards.

      7. 11—13.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  3. Part II Sanitation and Buildings

    1. Sewerage and sewage disposal

      1. 14.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 15.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 16.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 17.†Adoption by local authority of sewers and sewage disposal works.

      5. 18.†Power of local authority to agree to adopt sewer or drain, or sewage disposal works, at future date.

      6. 19.†Power of local authority to require proposed sewer or drain to be so constructed as to form part of general system.

      7. 20.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 21. Agreements with county council for use of highway drains and sewers for sanitary purposes, or to allow public sewers to be used for drainage of highways.

      9. 22.†Power of local authority to alter, or close, public sewers.

      10. 23, 24.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      11. 25.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      12. 26.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      13. 27. Certain matters not to be passed into public sewers.

      14. 28.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      15. 29.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      16. 30. Sewage, &c. to be purified before discharge into streams, canals, &c.

      17. 31.†Local authority not to create any nuisance.

      18. 32.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      19. 33. Application of 27 & 28 Vict. c. 114 to works for supply of sewage.

    2. Private sewers and drains and cesspools

      1. 34. Right of owners and occupiers within district to drain into public sewers.

      2. 35.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 36.†Right of local authority to undertake the making of communications with public sewers.

      4. 37—41.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 42.†Power of local authority to alter drainage system of premises.

    3. Sanitary conveniences for buildings

      1. 43, 44.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 45. Buildings having defective closets capable of repair.

      3. 46, 47.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    4. Supplemental provisions as to drains, sanitary conveniences, cesspools, &c.

      1. 48. Power of local authority to examine and test drains, &c., believed to be defective.

      2. 49. Rooms over closets of certain types, or over ashpits, &c., not to be used as living, sleeping or workrooms.

      3. 50. Overflowing and leaking cesspools.

      4. 51. Care of closets.

      5. 52. Care of sanitary conveniences used in common.

      6. 53—62.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      7. 63.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 64.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      9. 65—67.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      10. 68, 69.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      11. 70, 71.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    5. Removal of refuse, scavenging, keeping of animals, &c.

      1. 72—76.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 77.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 78. Scavenging of common courts and passages.

      4. 79. [Power to require removal of noxious matter by occupier of premises in urban district.

      5. 80. [Power to require periodical removal of manure, &c. from stables, &c. in urban district.

      6. 81. Byelaws for the prevention of certain nuisances.

      7. 82. Byelaws as to removal through streets of offensive matter or liquid.

    6. Filthy or verminous premises or articles, and verminous persons.

      1. 83. Cleansing of filthy or verminous premises.

      2. 84. Cleansing or destruction of filthy or verminous articles.

      3. 85. Cleansing of verminous persons and their clothing.

      4. 86. Provision of cleansing stations.

    7. Public sanitary conveniences

      1. 87. Provision of public conveniences in England .

      2. 88.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 89.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    8. General

      1. 90. Interpretation of Part II.

  4. Part III Nuisances and Offensive Trades

    1. 91—100.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. 101—106.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    3. 107—110.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  5. Part IV

    1. 111—122.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. 123.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    3. Public wells, pumps, &c.

      1. 124. Certain public pumps, wells, cisterns, &c. vested in local authority.

      2. 125. Power of parish council to utilise wells, springs or streams for obtaining water.

      3. 126—136.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 137, 138.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 139.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    4. Provisions for the protection of public from polluted water

      1. 140. Power to close, or restrict use of water from, polluted source of supply.

      2. 141. Power to deal with insanitary cisterns, &c.

      3. 142.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  6. Part V Prevention, Notification and Treatment of Disease

    1. Regulations for the prevention and treatment of infectious disease, &c.

      1. 143. Power of Minister to make regulations with a view to the treatment of certain diseases, and for preventing the spread of such diseases.

      2. 144—146.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 147—170.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 171.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 172.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      6. 173—178.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      7. 179.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 180.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  7. Part VI Hospitals, Nursing Homes, &c.

    1. 181—186.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. 187, 188.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    3. 189—191.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    4. 192.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    5. 193.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    6. 194, 195.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    7. Laboratories, ambulances, mortuaries, &c.

      1. 196.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 197.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 198. Provision of mortuaries and post-mortem rooms.

      4. 199.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  8. Part VII Notification of Births; Maternity and Child Welfare, and Child Life Protection

    1. 200—202.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. 203.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    3. Maternity and child welfare

      1. 204.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 205. Women not to be employed in factories . . . within four weeks after birth of a child.

      3. 206—220.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  9. Part VIII Baths, Washhouses, Bathing Places, &c.

    1. Provision of baths, &c.

      1. 221. Power of local authority to provide baths, bathing places and washhouses.

      2. 222. Charges for use of baths, &c.

      3. 223. Byelaws for regulation of baths, &c.

      4. 224. Baths, &c., to be public places for certain purposes.

      5. 225. Use of baths and bathing places for swimming contests, &c., or by schools or clubs.

      6. 226. Closing of baths and bathing places during winter months, and use for other purposes.

      7. 227. Power of local authority to lay pipes for purposes connected with baths, &c.

      8. 228. Power of trustees to sell existing baths, &c., to local authority.

      9. 229. Power of statutory undertakers to supply water, gas or electricity to baths, &c., on favourable terms.

      10. 230.(1) . . . . . . . . ....

    2. Public bathing

      1. 231. Byelaws with respect to public bathing.

      2. 232. Provision of bathing huts, &c.

      3. 233. Byelaws with respect to swimming baths and bathing pools not under the management of a local authority.

    3. Life-saving appliances

      1. 234. Provision of life-saving appliances.

  10. Part IX

    1. 235—248.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  11. Part X

    1. 249.(1) . . . . . . . . ....

    2. 250.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    3. 251.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    4. 252.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    5. 253—256.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    6. 257.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    7. 258.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  12. Part XI Miscellaneous

    1. Watercourses, ditches, ponds, &c.

      1. 259. Nuisances in connection with water-courses, ditches, ponds, &c.

      2. 260. Power of parish council, or local authority, to deal with ponds, ditches, &c.

      3. 261. Provision for obtaining order for cleansing offensive ditches lying near to, or forming, boundary of district.

      4. 262. Power of local authority to require culverting of watercourses and ditches where building operations in prospect.

      5. 263. Watercourses in urban district not to be culverted except in accordance with approved plans.

      6. 264. Urban authority may require repair and cleansing of culverts.

      7. 265. Power of local authority to defray cost of, or execute, works relating to watercourses.

      8. 266.†Saving for land drainage authorities, the London County Council, railway companies and dock undertakers.

    2. Ships and boats

      1. 267. Application to ships and boats of certain provisions of Act.

    3. Tents, vans, sheds, &c.

      1. 268. Nuisances arising from, and byelaws and other matters relating to, tents, vans, &c.

      2. 269. Power of local authority to control use of moveable dwellings.

    4. Hop-pickers, &c.

      1. 270. Byelaws as to hop-pickers and persons engaged in similar work.

  13. Part XII General

    1. Supplemental as to powers of councils

      1. 271. General

      2. 272, 273. General

      3. 274. General

      4. 275.Power of local authority to execute certain work on behalf of owners or occupiers.

      5. 276.Power of local authority to sell certain materials.

      6. 277. General

      7. 278.Compensation to individuals for damage resulting from exercise of powers under Act.

    2. Breaking open of streets

      1. 279. General

      2. 280, 281. General

      3. 282.Application of 38 & 39 Vict. c. 55 s. 153.

    3. Notices, &c.

      1. 283.Notices to be in writing; forms of notices, &c.

      2. 284.Authentication of documents.

      3. 285.Service of notices, &c.

      4. 286. General

    4. Entry and obstruction

      1. 287.Power to enter premises.

      2. 288.Penalty for obstructing execution of Act.

      3. 289.Power to require occupier to permit works to be executed by owner.

    5. Notices requiring the execution of works

      1. 290.Provisions as to appeals against, and the enforcement of, notices requiring execution of works.

    6. Provisions as to recovery of expenses, &c.

      1. 291.Certain expenses recoverable from owners to be a charge on the premises: power to order payment by instalments.

      2. 292. General

      3. 293.Recovery of expenses, &c.

      4. 294.Limitation of liability of certain owners.

      5. 295. General

    7. Prosecution of offences, &c.

      1. 296.Summary proceedings for offences.

      2. 297.Continuing offences and penalties.

      3. 298.Restriction on right to prosecute.

      4. 299. General

    8. Appeals and other applications to courts of summary jurisdiction, and appeals to quarter sessions

      1. 300.Appeals and applications to courts of summary jurisdiction.

      2. 301.Appeals to quarter sessions against decisions of justices.

      3. 302.Effect of decision of court upon an appeal.

    9. Arbitrations

      1. 303.Mode of reference to arbitration.

    10. Judges and justices

      1. 304.Judges and justices not to be disqualified by liability to rates.

    11. Protection of members and officers

      1. 305.Protection of members and officers of certain local authorities from personal liability

      2. 306. General

    12. Expenses and borrowing

      1. 307. General

      2. 308. General

      3. 309.Expenses of joint boards.

      4. 310. General

      5. 311. General

    13. Powers of the Minister

      1. 312. General

      2. 313, 314. General

      3. 315. General

      4. 316.Adaptation, where necessary, of provisional order procedure.

      5. 317.Amendment of 38 & 39 Vict. c. 55. s. 303.

      6. 318.Local inquiries.

    14. Regulations

      1. 319. General

    15. Relinquishment and transfer of powers and duties

      1. 320, 321. General

      2. 322.Power of Minister to enforce exercise of powers by local authorities, &c., in default.

      3. 323. General

      4. 324.Provisions as to exercise by Minister of functions of body in default.

      5. 325.Power to vary and revoke orders relating to defaults.

    16. General provisions as to transfer, compensation and superannuation rights of officers

      1. 326.Provisions as to the transfer and compensation of officers and superannuation rights of transferred officers.

      2. 327.Provisions for compensation in certain cases to officers of trustees, &c. executing local Acts.

    17. Savings

      1. 328.Powers of Act to be cumulative.

      2. 329.†Saving for certain provisions of the Land Charges Act, 1925.

      3. 330.Power of railway companies, dock undertakers and land drainage authorities to alter sewers, &c. vested in a local authority.

      4. 331.Works affecting water rights.

      5. 332.Arbitration as to alteration of sewers, &c., or injurious affection of water rights.

      6. 333.Protection for works of dock undertakers and for railways.

      7. 334.Protection for works of land drainage authorities, &c.

      8. 335, 336. General

      9. 337. General

      10. 338.Sewers or drains of collegiate and other corporate bodies and Government departments.

      11. 339.Saving for existing rights of drainage.

      12. 340.Works below high-water mark.

      13. 341.Power to apply provisions of Act to Crown property.

    18. Interpretation, transitory provisions, repeals, &c.

      1. 342. General

      2. 343.Interpretation.

      3. 344. General

      4. 345. General

      5. 346.Repeals.

      6. 347.†Short title, date of commencement and extent.

    1. FIRST SCHEDULE

      1. . . . . . . . . . ....

    2. SECOND SCHEDULE

      1. . . . . . . . . . ....

    3. THIRD SCHEDULE

      1. . . . . . . . . . ....

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