Law

Public Health Act 1875

United Kingdom · statute

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Open at the publisher →

In force since 2023-10-01, as the publisher states.

Copy read on 2026-11-09. The page it was read from

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.

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Contents: 149 provisions
  1. Title and introductory text
  2. 1 Short title.
  3. 2 Extent of Act.
  4. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  5. 4 Definitions.
  6. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  7. 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  8. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  9. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  10. 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  11. 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  12. 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  13. 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  14. 51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  15. 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  16. 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  17. 68 Penalty for causing water to be corrupted by gas washings.
  18. 69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  19. 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  20. 116 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  21. 120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  22. 144 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  23. 145 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  24. 146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  25. 148 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  26. 149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  27. 153 Power to require gas and water pipes to be moved.
  28. 154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  29. 156 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  30. 157 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  31. 159 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  32. 160 Incorporation of certain provisions of 10 & 11 Vict. c. 34.
  33. 161 Powers of urban authority for lighting their district.
  34. 162 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  35. 163 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  36. 164 Local authority may provide places of public recreation.
  37. 165 Urban authority may provide public clocks.
  38. 166 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  39. 171 Incorporation of certain provisions of 10 & 11 Vict. c. 89.
  40. 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  41. 173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  42. 175 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  43. 179 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  44. 180 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  45. 181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  46. 182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  47. 183 Power to impose penalties on breach of byelaws.
  48. 184 Confirmation of byelaws.
  49. 185 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  50. 188 As to regulations of local authority.
  51. 189 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  52. 201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  53. 202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  54. 204 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  55. 205 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  56. 206 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  57. 207 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  58. 211 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  59. 212 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  60. 213 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  61. 216 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  62. 218 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  63. 224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  64. 225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  65. 227 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  66. 228 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  67. 229 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  68. 230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  69. 232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  70. 233 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  71. 234 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  72. 235 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  73. 236 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  74. 240 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  75. 242 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  76. 244 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  77. 245 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  78. 248 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  79. 249 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  80. 251 Summary proceedings for offences, penalties, &c.
  81. 252 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  82. 253 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  83. 254 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  84. 255 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  85. 256 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  86. 258 Justices may act though members of local authority or liable to contribute.
  87. 259 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  88. 261 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  89. 262 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  90. 263 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  91. 264 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  92. 265 Protection of local authority and their officers from personal liability.
  93. 266 Notices, &c. may be printed or written.
  94. 267 Service of notices.
  95. 268 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  96. 269 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  97. 270 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  98. 271 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  99. 275 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  100. 276 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  101. 277 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  102. 278 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  103. 279 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  104. 285 Power to execute works in adjoining districts, and to combine for execution of works.
  105. 286 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  106. 287 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  107. 291 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  108. 292 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  109. 293 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  110. 295 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  111. 296 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  112. 297 As to provisional orders made by Local Government Board.
  113. 298 Costs of provisional orders.
  114. 299 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  115. 303 Power to repeal and alter local Acts.
  116. 304 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  117. 305 Entry on lands for purposes of Act.
  118. 306 Penalty on obstructing execution of Act.
  119. 307 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  120. 308 Compensation in case of damage by local authority.
  121. 309 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  122. 310 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  123. 312 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  124. 313 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  125. 314 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  126. 316 As to construction of incorporated Acts.
  127. 317 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  128. 318 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  129. 319 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  130. 321 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  131. 322 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  132. 323 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  133. 324 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  134. 326 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  135. 327 Saving for works and property of certain authorities, and for navigation and water rights, &c.
  136. 328 Reference to arbitration in case of works not within preceding section.
  137. 329 Effect of arbitration.
  138. 330 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  139. 338 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  140. 339 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  141. 340 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  142. 341 Powers of Act to be cumulative.
  143. 342 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  144. 343 Repeal of Acts in schedule V.
  145. SCHEDULE I
  146. SCHEDULE II
  147. SCHEDULE III
  148. SCHEDULE IV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  149. SCHEDULE V

Proposed changes to this act

No one has proposed a change to this act yet.

149 provisions

309 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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310 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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312 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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313 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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314 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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316 As to construction of incorporated Acts.

In the construction of the provisions of any Act incorporated with this Act the term “the special Act includes this Act, and, in the case of the Lands Clauses Consolidation Acts 1845, 1860, and 1869, any order confirmed by Parliament and authorising the purchase of lands otherwise than by agreement under this Act; the term “the limits of the special Act means the limits of the district; and the urban or rural authority shall be deemed to be “the promoters of the undertaking, “the commissioners, or “the undertakers, as the case may be. All penalties incurred under the provisions of any Act incorporated with this Act shall be recovered and applied in the same way as penalties incurred under this Act.

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317 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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318 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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319 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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321 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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322 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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323 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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324 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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326 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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327 Saving for works and property of certain authorities, and for navigation and water rights, &c.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorise any local authority— (1) To use injure or interfere with any sluices floodgate sewers groynes or sea defences or other works, already or hereafter made under the authority of any commissioners of sewers appointed by the Crown, or any sewers or other works already or hereafter made and used by any body of persons or person for the purpose of draining preserving or improving land under any local or private Act of Parliament, or for the purpose of irrigating land; or, (2) To disturb or interfere with any lands or other property vested in the Secretary of State for Defence for the time being; or, (3) To interfere with any river canal dock harbour lock reservoir or basin, so as to injuriously affect the navigation thereon, or the use thereof, or to interfere with any towing-path so as to interrupt the traffic thereof, in cases where any body of persons or person are or is by virtue of any Act of Parliament entitled to navigate on or use such river canal dock harbour lock reservoir or basin, or to receive any tolls or dues in respect of the navigation thereon or use thereof; or, (4) To interfere with any watercourse in such manner as to injuriously affect the supply of water to any river canal dock harbour reservoir or basin, in cases where any such body of persons or person as last aforesaid would, if this Act had not passed, have been entitled by law to prevent or be relieved against such interference; or, (5) To interfere with any bridges crossing any river canal dock harbour or basin, in cases where any body of persons or person are or is authorised by virtue of any Act of Parliament to navigate or use such river canal dock harbour or basin, or to demand any tolls or dues in respect of the navigation thereon or use thereof; or, (6) To execute any works in through or under any wharves quays docks harbours or basins, to the exclusive use of which any body of persons or person are or is entitled by virtue of any Act of Parliament, or for the use of which any body of persons or person are or is entitled by virtue of any Act of Parliament to demand any tolls or dues,— Without the consent in every case of such . . . Secretary of State, commissioners, body of persons or person as are herein-before in that behalf respectively mentioned, such consent to be expressed in writing in the case of a corporation under their common seal, and in the case of any body of persons not being a corporation under the hand of their clerk or other duly authorised officer or agent. And nothing in this Act shall prejudice or affect the rights privileges powers or authorities given or reserved to any person under such local or private Acts for draining preserving or improving land as are in this section mentioned.

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328 Reference to arbitration in case of works not within preceding section.

Where any matters or things proposed to be done by any local authority, and not being within the prohibition aforesaid, interfere with the improvement of any river canal dock harbour lock reservoir basin or towing-path which any body of persons or person are or is entitled by virtue of any Act of Parliament to navigate on or use, or in respect of the navigation whereon or use whereof to demand any tolls or dues, or interfere with any works belonging to such river canal dock harbour or basin, or with any land necessary for the enjoyment or improvement thereof, the local authority shall give to such body of persons or person a notice specifying the particulars of the matters and things so intended to be done. If the parties on whom such notice is served do not consent to the requisitions thereof, the matter in difference shall be referred to arbitration; and the following questions shall be decided by such arbitration; (that is to say,) (1) Whether the matters or things proposed to be done by the local authority will cause any injury to such river canal dock harbour basin towing-path works or land, or to the enjoyment or improvement of such river canal dock harbour or basin as aforesaid: (2) Whether any injury that may be caused by such matters or things, or any of them, is or is not of a nature to admit of being fully compensated by money.

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329 Effect of arbitration.

The result of any such arbitration shall be final, and the local authority shall do as follows; (that is to say,) (1) If the arbitrators are of opinion that no injury will be caused, the local authority may forthwith proceed to do the proposed matters and things: (2) If the arbitrators are of opinion that injury will be caused, but that such injury is of a nature to admit of being fully compensated by money, they shall proceed to assess such compensation; and on payment of the amount so assessed, but not before, the local authority may proceed to do the proposed matters and things: (3) If the arbitrators are of opinion that injury will be caused, and that it is not of a nature to admit of being fully compensated by money, the local authority shall not proceed to do any matter or thing in respect of which such opinion may be given.

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330 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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338 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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339 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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340 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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341 Powers of Act to be cumulative.

All powers given by this Act shall be deemed to be in addition to and not in derogation of any other powers conferred by Act of Parliament law or custom, and such other powers may be exercised in the same manner as if this Act had not passed; . . .

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342 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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343 Repeal of Acts in schedule V.

. . . So much of the said Acts as is set forth in the third part of that schedule shall be re-enacted in manner therein appearing, and shall be in force as if enacted in the body of this Act. . . .

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SCHEDULE I

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SCHEDULE II

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SCHEDULE III

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SCHEDULE IV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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SCHEDULE V

Part I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part III 11 & 12 Vict. c. 63. s. 83. As to interments within churches. No vault or grave shall be constructed or made within the walls of or underneath any church or other place of public worship built in any district after the thirty-first day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight; and whosoever shall bury, or cause permit or suffer to be buried, any corpse or coffin in any vault or grave constructed or made contrary to this enactment, shall for every such offence be liable to a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds, which may be recovered by any person, with full costs of suit, in an action of debt. . . . 24 & 25 Vict. c. 61, s. 21. Urban authorities may repair fences surrounding burial grounds. Any urban authority . . . may from time to time repair and uphold the fences surrounding any burial ground which has been discontinued as such within their jurisdiction, or take down such fences and substitute others in lieu thereof, and shall from time to time take the necessary steps for preventing the desecration of such burial ground and placing it in a proper sanitary condition; and they may from time to time pass byelaws (subject to the provisions of this Act) for the preservation and regulation of all burial grounds within their jurisdiction; and the expense of carrying this section into execution may be defrayed out of any rates authorized to be levied by any urban authority . . . . . . . . . .

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