Public Health Act 1936
Part I Local Administration
Local authorities and their districts
1 Local authorities for purposes of Act.
Port health authorities and joint boards
2—5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Union of districts, or parts of districts, for certain purposes under joint board.
7 Restriction on discharge of functions by local authorities within united district.
8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 General provisions as to orders constituting port health districts, united districts and joint boards.
10 Borrowing powers of port health authorities and joint boards.
11—13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part II Sanitation and Buildings
Sewerage and sewage disposal
14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17†Adoption by local authority of sewers and sewage disposal works.
18†Power of local authority to agree to adopt sewer or drain, or sewage disposal works, at future date.
19†Power of local authority to require proposed sewer or drain to be so constructed as to form part of general system.
20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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.
22†Power of local authority to alter, or close, public sewers.
23, 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27 Certain matters not to be passed into public sewers.
28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30 Sewage, &c. to be purified before discharge into streams, canals, &c.
31†Local authority not to create any nuisance.
32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33 Application of 27 & 28 Vict. c. 114 to works for supply of sewage.
Private sewers and drains and cesspools
34 Right of owners and occupiers within district to drain into public sewers.
35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36†Right of local authority to undertake the making of communications with public sewers.
37—41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42†Power of local authority to alter drainage system of premises.
Sanitary conveniences for buildings
43, 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45 Buildings having defective closets capable of repair.
46, 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplemental provisions as to drains, sanitary conveniences, cesspools, &c.
48 Power of local authority to examine and test drains, &c., believed to be defective.
49 Rooms over closets of certain types, or over ashpits, &c., not to be used as living, sleeping or workrooms.
50 Overflowing and leaking cesspools.
51 Care of closets.
52 Care of sanitary conveniences used in common.
53—62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
65—67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
68, 69. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70, 71. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removal of refuse, scavenging, keeping of animals, &c.
72—76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
78 Scavenging of common courts and passages.
79 [Power to require removal of noxious matter by occupier of premises in urban district.
80 [Power to require periodical removal of manure, &c. from stables, &c. in urban district.
81 Byelaws for the prevention of certain nuisances.
82 Byelaws as to removal through streets of offensive matter or liquid.
Filthy or verminous premises or articles, and verminous persons.
83 Cleansing of filthy or verminous premises.
84 Cleansing or destruction of filthy or verminous articles.
85 Cleansing of verminous persons and their clothing.
86 Provision of cleansing stations.
Public sanitary conveniences
87 Provision of public conveniences.
88. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
89. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General
90 Interpretation of Part II.
Part III Nuisances and Offensive Trades
91—100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
101—106. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
107—110. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part IV
111—122. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
123. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Public wells, pumps, &c.
124 Certain public pumps, wells, cisterns, &c. vested in local authority.
125 Power of parish council to utilise wells, springs or streams for obtaining water.
126—136. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
137, 138. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
139. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provisions for the protection of public from polluted water
140 Power to close, or restrict use of water from, polluted source of supply.
141 Power to deal with insanitary cisterns, &c.
142. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part V Prevention, Notification and Treatment of Disease
Regulations for the prevention and treatment of infectious disease, &c.
143 Power of Minister to make regulations with a view to the treatment of certain diseases, and for preventing the spread of such diseases.
144—146. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
147—170. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
171. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
172. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
173—178. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
180. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part VI Hospitals, Nursing Homes, &c.
181—186. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
187, 188. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
189—191. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
192. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
193. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
194, 195. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laboratories, ambulances, mortuaries, &c.
196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
198 Provision of mortuaries and post-mortem rooms.
199. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part VII Notification of Births; Maternity and Child Welfare, and Child Life Protection
200—202. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
203. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maternity and child welfare
204. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
205 Women not to be employed in factories . . . within four weeks after birth of a child.
206—220. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part VIII Baths, Washhouses, Bathing Places, &c.
Provision of baths, &c.
221 Power of local authority to provide baths, bathing places and washhouses.
222 Charges for use of baths, &c.
223 Byelaws for regulation of baths, &c.
224 Baths, &c., to be public places for certain purposes.
225 Use of baths and bathing places for swimming contests, &c., or by schools or clubs.
226 Closing of baths and bathing places during winter months, and use for other purposes.
227 Power of local authority to lay pipes for purposes connected with baths, &c.
228 Power of trustees to sell existing baths, &c., to local authority.
229 Power of statutory undertakers to supply water, gas or electricity to baths, &c., on favourable terms.
230(1) . . . . . . . . ....
Public bathing
231 Byelaws with respect to public bathing.
232 Provision of bathing huts, &c.
233 Byelaws with respect to swimming baths and bathing pools not under the management of a local authority.
Life-saving appliances
234 Provision of life-saving appliances.
Part IX
235—248. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part X
249(1) . . . . . . . . ....
250. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
251. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
252. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
253—256. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
257. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
258. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part XI Miscellaneous
Watercourses, ditches, ponds, &c.
259 Nuisances in connection with water-courses, ditches, ponds, &c.
260 Power of parish council, or local authority, to deal with ponds, ditches, &c.
261 Provision for obtaining order for cleansing offensive ditches lying near to, or forming, boundary of district.
262 Power of local authority to require culverting of watercourses and ditches where building operations in prospect.
263 Watercourses in urban district not to be culverted except in accordance with approved plans.
264 Urban authority may require repair and cleansing of culverts.
265 Power of local authority to defray cost of, or execute, works relating to watercourses.
266†Saving for land drainage authorities, the London County Council, railway companies and dock undertakers.
Ships and boats
267 Application to ships and boats of certain provisions of Act.
Tents, vans, sheds, &c.
268 Nuisances arising from, and byelaws and other matters relating to, tents, vans, &c.
269 Power of local authority to control use of moveable dwellings.
Hop-pickers, &c.
270 Byelaws as to hop-pickers and persons engaged in similar work.
Part XII General
Supplemental as to powers of councils
271. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
272, 273. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
274. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
275 Power of local authority to execute certain work on behalf of owners or occupiers.
276 Power of local authority to sell certain materials.
277. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
278 Compensation to individuals for damage resulting from exercise of powers under Act.
Breaking open of streets
279. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
280, 281. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
282 Application of 38 & 39 Vict. c. 55 s. 153.
Notices, &c.
283 Notices to be in writing; forms of notices, &c.
284 Authentication of documents.
285 Service of notices, &c.
286. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Entry and obstruction
287 Power to enter premises.
288 Penalty for obstructing execution of Act.
289 Power to require occupier to permit works to be executed by owner.
Notices requiring the execution of works
290 Provisions as to appeals against, and the enforcement of, notices requiring execution of works.
Provisions as to recovery of expenses, &c.
291 Certain expenses recoverable from owners to be a charge on the premises: power to order payment by instalments.
292. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
293 Recovery of expenses, &c.
294 Limitation of liability of certain owners.
295. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prosecution of offences, &c.
296 Summary proceedings for offences.
297 Continuing offences and penalties.
298 Restriction on right to prosecute.
299 Inclusion of several sums in one complaint, &c.
Appeals and other applications to courts of summary jurisdiction, and appeals to quarter sessions
300 Appeals and applications to courts of summary jurisdiction.
301 Appeals to quarter sessions against decisions of justices.
302 Effect of decision of court upon an appeal.
Arbitrations
303 Mode of reference to arbitration.
Judges and justices
304 Judges and justices not to be disqualified by liability to rates.
Protection of members and officers
305 Protection of members and officers of certain local authorities from personal liability
306. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expenses and borrowing
307. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
308. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
309 Expenses of joint boards.
310. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
311. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Powers of the Minister
312. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
313, 314. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
315 Existing isolation hospital committees to be dissolved.
316 Adaptation, where necessary, of provisional order procedure.
317 Amendment of 38 & 39 Vict. c. 55. s. 303.
318 Local inquiries.
Regulations
319 Provisions as to regulations required to be laid before Parliament.
Relinquishment and transfer of powers and duties
320, 321. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
322 Power of Minister to enforce exercise of powers by local authorities, &c., in default.
323. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
324 Provisions as to exercise by Minister of functions of body in default.
325 Power to vary and revoke orders relating to defaults.
General provisions as to transfer, compensation and superannuation rights of officers
326 Provisions as to the transfer and compensation of officers and superannuation rights of transferred officers.
327 Provisions for compensation in certain cases to officers of trustees, &c. executing local Acts.
Savings
328 Powers of Act to be cumulative.
329†Saving for certain provisions of the Land Charges Act, 1925.
330 Power of railway companies, dock undertakers and land drainage authorities to alter sewers, &c. vested in a local authority.
331 Works affecting water rights.
332 Arbitration as to alteration of sewers, &c., or injurious affection of water rights.
333 Protection for works of dock undertakers and for railways.
334 Protection for works of land drainage authorities, &c.
335, 336. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
337. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
338 Sewers or drains of collegiate and other corporate bodies and Government departments.
339 Saving for existing rights of drainage.
340 Works below high-water mark.
341 Power to apply provisions of Act to Crown property.
Interpretation, transitory provisions, repeals, &c.
342. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
343 Interpretation.
344. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
345. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
346 Repeals.
347†Short title, date of commencement and extent.
FIRST SCHEDULE
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SECOND SCHEDULE
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THIRD SCHEDULE
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Public Health Act 1936

1936 c.49

An Act to consolidate with amendments certain enactments relating to public health.

Annotations:
Commencement Information
I1

Act wholly in force at Royal Assent.

Extent Information
E1

Act extends to England and Wales but see s. 347(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2

Power to apply Act conferred by New Towns Act 1965 (c. 59), s. 34(3)

C3

Power to transfer certain functions conferred by Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 (c. 22, SIF 100:1), s. 7(4)(b)

C5

Act modified (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c.15, SIF 130), s. 190(2), Sch. 26 para. 13(1)(a)(3) (with ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 13(1)(a)(3), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58)

Act (except s. 341(3)) (W): conferring functions transferred (1.7.1999 subject to art. 2(b)-(f) of the amending Act) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2(1), Sch. 1