Office of the County Engineer > About > Divisions > Permits > Platting

Once you've completed the initial stages, it's time for Recordation, the second stage.

Here, you'll submit the fully executed mylar, approved by the governing municipality, to Harris County Platting. Don't forget to include all the necessary documentation outlined in "Section 4.06 – Recordation Requirements."

We'll review it all to ensure compliance and once approved, the plat will be signed by the County Engineer. It will then go through the Commissioners' Court approval and eventually be filed in the official map records. This recorded plat will define property boundaries, layout, and allowable uses for future development.

Recordation Process Initiation

Plats in No-ETJ:

After receiving notification of Harris County’s pre-recordation approval, the original signed mylar must be dropped off to the Permits Division Attn: Platting Group

Plats within a Municipality's ETJ:

Follow specific procedures of Harris County and the governing municipality's Permits Division.
City of Houston/Baytown ETJ plats: After city approval, the original mylar is forwarded to Platting within the Permits Division by city staff.

Regulation link here

Recordation Calendar

Stay informed about upcoming Commissioners Court meetings and City of Houston Planning Commission meetings through our regularly-updated calendar. Using this tool will assist you in planning ahead to minimize scheduling delays when preparing for the Recordation stage.

Quick Links

Plat Requirements

Applicant Advisory

1. Paperwork can be dropped off during regular business hours once the plat shows "working plat" on our website. However, the items are not considered complete until they are reviewed by the Assigned Planner and checked off. All documentation should be submitted electronically to
[email protected].

2. After review, you must make an appointment with the Assigned Planner to come in and make corrections to the Mylar. Department policy requires you to bring all outstanding items with you at this time to eliminate multiple appointments for one plat.

3. Mylar cannot be taken from our office once a municipality and/or the County Engineer has signed off.

4. Appointments made on Thursday and Friday of a deadline week does not automatically ensure that the plat will be promoted to the next Commissioners' Court agenda. Please give yourself and the Planners sufficient time for review to avoid delays.

Title Report

Current within 60 days of effective date
Signed by Title Examiner
Original not required

Original Tax Certificate

One per each account number
Signed and/or sealed by TAC
Original required

Utility Service Plan Application with Attachments

Signed and dated
Applicable attachments

Letter from Tax Assessor

(subdivision name duplication letter)

Obtained through the Harris County Tax Office (original not required)
Send request to fax: 713-368-2219

Financial Surety

"Financial Surety Worksheet" will be completed by Assigned Planner.
Completed form shall accompany your payment
Make checks payable to: Harris County
Cashier's office location: 1111 Fannin St, 8th Floor, Houston TX 77002

Administrative Fee

"Financial Surety Worksheet" will be completed by Assigned Planner.
Completed form shall accompany payment
Make checks payable to: Harris County
Cashier's office location: 1111 Fannin St, 8th Floor, Houston TX 77002

Approved Construction Plans

Approved construction plans on file with Office of the County Engineer
Provide the Harris County Project Number

$600 Plat Fee

The plat fee payment form is generated by the Assigned Planner and is required for payment
Make check payable to: Harris County
Cashier's office location: 1111 Fannin St, 8th Floor, Houston TX 77002

NEW Digital Platting Requirements

Other Requirements and/or Corrections

Additional Requirements and/or Revisions as noted by the Assigned Planner to be addressed during your assigned plat review appointment

Plat Notes

Site Note for plats of Reserves:

Site drainage plans for the future development of this reserve must be submitted to the Harris County Flood Control District and Office of the County Engineer.

Private Street PAE/PUE note:

This subdivision contains one or more permanent access easements that have not been dedicated to the public or accepted by the City of Houston or any other local government agency as public rights-of-way. The City of Houston has no obligation, nor does any other local government agency have any obligation, to maintain or improve any permanent access easement within the subdivision, which obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the owners of property in this subdivision.

NEW NOTE (per 11/15/05 regulations):

Detention is not required if the developed area is limited to the first 150 feet or the total impervious developed area does not exceed the area calculated by multiplying the 150-foot lot depth by the lot width adjacent to the public road.

Landscaping Regulations of Harris County for Approval and Acceptance of Infrastructure:

This plat requires compliance with landscaping requirements prior to occupancy of structures as mandated in Regulations of Harris County, Texas for the Approval and Acceptance of Infrastructure.

Drainage Note for Reserves without

Drainage Note for Reserves without Civil plans. (to Public R.O.W.)

Site drainage plans for the future development of this reserve must be submitted to the Harris County Flood Control District and the Harris County Engineering Department.

Drainage Note for Lots without Civil plans. (to Public R.O.W.)

Drainage Note for Plats without Civil plans. (to PAE/PUE/Access Esmt):

Detention will be reviewed/provided for each individual residential lot at time of permitting.

SWQ Note for Plats with 5 acres or more

Any new development within the subdivision plat shall obtain a Storm Water Quality Permit before the issuance of any development permits

Harris County Landscape Note

This plat requires compliance with landscaping requirements prior to occupancy of structures as mandated in Regulations of Harris County, Texas for the Approval and Acceptance of Instructure.

ROW Widening Dedication Note

This (__) Acres / (__) Sq Ft is hereby dedicated to the public for R.O.W. purposes.

Private Water wells (provide notes in Red) (Existing / Proposed) Public well easements must be shown on the plat; per HC approved civil plans. Public water well easement overlapping onto adjacent properties must be recorded. Provide docs.

A private pressure cemented Water well cannot be constructed within 50 feet of the property line. A private Non-pressure cemented Water well cannot be constructed within 100 feet of the property line.

Office of the County Engineer

Recordation