Office of the County Engineer

FAQ

Home Services Permits FAQ

Residential

A permit is needed for all development within Harris County.
Development means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials. Fences or fence-type walls located within the flood plain are included within this definition.
Please visit Information on my Address and enter your address in the box at the upper left corner of the map, then click on the magnifying glass symbol. Your property will pop up with all relevant information. The map is a large file and takes several seconds to load.Please visit Information on my Address and enter your address in the box at the upper left corner of the map, then click on the magnifying glass symbol. Your property will pop up with all relevant information. The map is a large file and takes several seconds to load.

If the GIS mapping service indicates that your property lies within the 500-year (x-shaded) floodplain then an elevation certificate will be necessary in addition to the completed development permit application and an accurate site plan.

Compare the base flood elevation (BFE) to the lowest adjacent grade (LAG).

The relationship of the natural ground elevation (lowest adjacent grade) in regards to the base flood elevation will determine if the development will be permitted as if it was in the special flood hazard area (100-year floodplain).

If the LAG is equal to or greater than the BFE, then you will process your application like your home is not in the 100-year floodplain.

If the LAG is less than the BFE, then you will process your application like your home is in the 100 Year floodplain.

You will need to retain the services of a registered Architect or Engineered (licensed to practice in Texas), who will prepare foundation and other drawings required by the Harris County Floodplain Management Regulations. In addition, you will need to submit a detailed and accurate site plan, and a completed application form if you choose to apply on paper in lieu of the online system.

  1. Be "e" signed and stamped by a Professional Engineer who is registered with the State of Texas; and,
  2. Contain Harris County Floodplain Notes; and,
  3. Contain a Complete Benchmark Description; and,
  4. Contain a complete address and legal description; and,
  5. Have the Base Flood Elevation, the Finished Floor Elevation, and the Finished Elevation of the Garage at the Garage Door Threshold called out.
You will need to retain the services of a registered Architect or Engineered (licensed to practice in Texas), who will prepare foundation and other drawings required by the Harris County Floodplain Management Regulations. In addition, you will need to submit a detailed and accurate site plan, and a completed application form if you choose to apply on paper in lieu of the online system.
The area between your property line and the street is called the Right-of-Way. Any driveway built within that Right-of-Way will require a permit. For residential applications, Harris County will need a completed residential application and an accurate and detailed site plan.
If the ditch at the front of your property lies within the County Right of Way, then any driveway built within that Right of Way will require permitting. For residential applications, Harris County will need a completed residential application and an accurate and detailed site plan.
  1. If your property lies outside of any Special Flood Hazard Area, then Harris County will need a completed residential application, and an accurate site plan and a fill affidavit. The site plan must show where the fill will be placed, how much fill will be placed at each location on the property and how the water will flow on the property after the fill is placed.
  2. If your property lies within any Special Flood Hazard Area, then You will need to retain the services of a registered Architect or Engineered (licensed to practice in Texas), who will prepare mitigation, drainage and other documents required by the Harris County Floodplain Management Regulations. In addition, you will need to submit a detailed and accurate site plan, and a completed application form if you choose to apply on paper in lieu of the online system.
  3. No Fill is allowed in a Floodway.
No demolition work permit is required within the unincorporated area of Harris County. A permit will be required to construct or develop the property after demolition work is completed.
No permit is required for a residential fence for locations outside of the special flood hazard area.

1. Resubmit the revision under the same project number as the original, approved set of plans. If the project was approved in CRM (Legacy system), please refer to that project number. Only in this case will you be assigned a new project number for a revision.

2. Provide a complete set of plans.

3. Cloud all changes throughout the plan set.

4. Complete the revision block on the civil review sheet with a brief description of the changes, referencing the relevant pages, This must be done on the approved civil review sheet (the one with the Harris County signatures).

5. If a new engineer is responsible for the revision, he/she must stamp all revised sheets and the civil review sheet.

Plans need to be dropped off at 1111 Fannin Street, 8th Floor, Houston, TX 77002.


Commercial - Site Development

The civil development plans go through five different departments. These departments are civil development, traffic, public review, Harris County Flood Control, and stormwater quality. In certain cases additional coordination will be required.
If your project requires reconstruction of pavement within Harris County ROW, then the Harris County Precinct that your project is located in will require review of your proposed plans. Another example is if your project is located along a Harris County Roadway Improvement Project. In this case, coordination with the CIP Engineer will be required. Plan reviewers will notify you during the review process if additional coordination is required.
A Notification is authorization for work to be done in Harris County or Harris County Flood Control Right-of-Way. Notifications are handled by the Public Review department or Flood Control Watershed department.
Typical Items include: Title sheet (w/ sheet index, vicinity map, Firm TBPE No.), Harris County Civil Development Review Sheet, Site plan, Grading Plan, Drainage Plan, Detention Pond details, Storm Water Prevention Pollution Plan, Landscape Plan, Paving plan, Utility plan and Traffic Control Plan (if Required). All plans must be signed and sealed by a licensed engineer. Landscape architects may sign and seal Landscape plans, but a licensed engineer must sign and seal the civil review sheet.


Commercial - Fire Code

Construction or Substantial Improvement of Public Buildings, Commercial Establishments, and multifamily dwellings consisting of four or more units.

Does my project qualify for express review?

For New Facilities (spaces that were never occupied before)

  1. Is your lease space 5,000 sq. feet or less?
  2. Is your lease space one of the qualifying occupancy types?
    - Mercantile (Retail)
    - Business (Office)
    - S-2 (Low Hazard/Non-Combustible Storage)
    - F-2 (Low-Hazard Industrial)

For Existing Facilities (spaces that were previously occupied that are remaining the same occupancy.)

  1. Is your lease space 5,000 sq. feet or less? 
  2. Does your lease space quality for other than occupancies H (hazardous) or I (institutional)
  3. Special circumstances will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Building Official
Public Buildings and Commercial Establishments include any building where the public may gather or where a good or service is provided for compensation. This definition includes, but is not limited to auditoriums, classrooms, churches, libraries, restaurants, theaters, schools, daycare facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, hotels, motels, dormitories, department stores, shopping centers, doctor offices, general offices, laundries and warehouses. Not included in this definition is an industrial facility having a fire brigade that conforms to requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or apartment buildings.
Construction or Substantial Improvement of Public Buildings, Commercial Establishments, and multifamily dwellings consisting of four or more units.
Submit drawings including the Fire Code Design and Compliance Review Sheet for review. The drawings will be reviewed and returned with comments. Re-submit the drawings for final review once comments are addressed. The review sheet and plans must be submitted in digital black line on bond or other reproducible medium such as Mylar or Velum.
These designs will be submitted after the permit is issued but prior to installation of the system. They will be reviewed and returned with comments. When plans are approved their will be a fee for review and inspection. See the Harris County Permits Fee Schedule. Please reference the Fire Code Permit on your submittal.

Commercial - Enforcement

The Harris County Fire Marshal will perform a final inspection when your project is ready for occupancy. Instructions for requesting this inspection are found on the Fire Code website under Request for Final Inspection.
Permits are not issued until plans are approved or unless the Fire Code Review department determines that a review is not required. Permits are not issued until plans are approved or unless the Fire Code Review department determines that a review is not required.
Permit is valid to start construction within 180 days from date permit is issued, or the permit shall be null and void. Upon written request, two six-month extensions may be obtained to start construction, before permit expires. Permit remains valid for the duration of the construction.

All submittals for Express Review must include a dimensioned floor plan, site plan, HCAD number, shell building permit number, a completed Express Permit Application and any detailed information about the use of the space (including storage details if applicable) so that we can determine occupancy classification or identify any hazards.

All submittals for Fire Code Review must include a completed Fire Code Review sheet, dimensioned architectural plans, site plan showing fire lane and hydrant locations, and any detailed information about the use of the space (including storage details if applicable) so that we can determine occupancy classification or identify any hazards.

All submittals for Express Review must include a dimensioned floor plan, site plan, HCAD number, shell building permit number, a completed Express Permit Application and any detailed information about the use of the space (including storage details if applicable) so that we can determine occupancy classification or identify any hazards.

All submittals for Fire Code Review must include a completed Fire Code Review sheet, dimensioned architectural plans, site plan showing fire lane and hydrant locations, and any detailed information about the use of the space (including storage details if applicable) so that we can determine occupancy classification or identify any hazards.

Harris County does not expedite reviews at this time. We do try to work with customers to the best of our ability in emergency situations on a case-by-case basis.
You may register with Harris County to get a login and password to the website. Once you login you can check the status of plans that you or your firm has submitted.

If your project was submitted and approved with a Fire Code Review, submit 2 copies of your approved plans (keep the original copy for your records) along with a completed Development Application to the permit office.

If your project was submitted for Express Review your permit will be issued when your plans are approved. You will receive a notification call to pick up your plans at the cashier window. A fee statement will be given so that you can purchase the permit at this time.

The permit fee is relative to the project scope and project review type. See the Harris County Permits Fee Schedule posted on our website. This fee includes the review as well as final inspection and Certificate of Compliance.
The first inspection and first re-inspection fee is included in the original permit fee. Subsequent re-inspection fees are assessed at $260 each.

Section 4.01 of the Regulations for Flood Plain Management in Harris County states that: "All development within the unincorporated areas of Harris County without first securing a permit is prohibited". In order for the violation to be abated/closed, the violation needs to be REMOVED or PERMITTED.

Permit Violation
To permit a violation on a commercial property, please contact the Minor Site Development Group at (713) 274-3933 or Email Minor Site Development.
To Permit a violation on a residential property, please contact the Residential Group at (713) 274-3920 or Email Residential Group.

Remove Violation
Contact Inspection Group at (713) 274-3924 or Email Inspections

If the structure in violation is not removed or permitted within the allotted time then a Certificate of Non-Compliance will be filed in the Real Property Records of Harris County under Section 7.01 of the Regulations for Flood Plain Management in Harris County, which may prevent maintaining a free and clear title for the subject property.

A Small Tenant Improvement permit needs to be obtained for all new and existing tenants occupying space in the shell building. Please contact the following to obtain permit:

Bryan Clevenger Email Bryan Clevenger
Noel Perez Email Noel Perez

Power Release

  1. What are my Power Release options and what are the differences?
    1. Temporary Power
      1. T‐Pole
      2. Must have a valid Permit
    2. Permanent Power
      1. Meter Box
        1. Must have a valid Permit with all required inspections completed and passed
  2. How do I request Power Release?
    1. Visit EPermits Power Release Status webpage.
      1. Enter the property address, Project number or ESID number to locate your project.
      2. Click on Request Power Release at the bottom of the page.
      3. When the Power Release Request Form opens, Complete and Submit.
  3. What’s holding up my Power request?
    1. Common Errors
      1. Do you have Open Inspections?
      2. Are there any permits required?
      3. Is there an Address Discrepancy?
      4. Do you have a current Provider Order with CenterPoint?
  4. When my inspections have passed, do I need to call back to request Permanent Power?
    1. Visit EPermits Power Release Status webpage.
      1. Enter the property address, Project number or ESID number to locate your project.
      2. When the Power Release Request Form opens, Complete and Resubmit.
      3. Click on Request Power Release at the bottom of the page.
  5. How do I check the status of my eligibility for Permanent Power?
    1. Visit the EPermits Website.
    2. Don’t Login
    3. Click on Check your Power Release Status.
    4. Type in the Property Address, Project Number or ESID Number.
    5. If there is a Red Light Bulb Icon on the page, this indicates the reason for Power being held up.
    6. If there is a date listed under Manual Power, this indicates the date that your Permit was sent to CenterPoint.

Certificate of Compliance

  1. Why do I need a Certificate of Compliance?
    1. To show verification that your business is in compliance with the Harris County Floodplain Regulations and Harris County Fire Marshal Regulations.
  2. How do I get a Certificate of Compliance?
    1. You must have a valid permit with all required inspections completed and passed.
    2. You must request the Fire Marshal Inspection by sending an inspection request via email to Development Inspection.
    3. You must request a Certificate of Compliance by sending a Certificate of Compliance Request via email to Compliance. 
  3. Who issues Certificates of Compliance? Certificates of Inspection?
    1. The Harris County Permit Office issues the Certificates of Compliance after the Fire Marshal’s Inspection is approved.
  4. Can I get another copy of my Certificate of Compliance?
    1. Yes, if your Certificate of Compliance was issued after to 12/15/2015, send your request via email to Records.  
    2. If your Certificate of Compliance was issued prior to 12/15/2015, send your request via email to Fire Marshal’s Office Records.  
  5. Can I change the business name / owner’s name on my existing Certificate of Compliance?
    1. Yes, there are 3 ways to do this based on the situation
      1. If the COC was just issued for the project and you feel it contains incorrect information as a result of incorrect information in EPermits during the review and approval process. Contact the Harris County Cashiers by emailing Cashiers for an address change to your permit. Then, resubmit your Certification of Compliance Request by emailing Compliance.  
      2. If you are or have purchased an existing business (business has not or will not close) sometimes these projects can obtain a new COC by going through the Affidavit for Commercial Establishment process.
      3. If you are a new tenant or your project does not qualify for the Affidavit for Commercial Establishment process, you will need a new permit in order for a new Certificate of Compliance to be issued. 

Floodplain

Obtain from floodplain webpage on new website
https://oce.harriscountytx.gov/About/Divisions/Permits/Floodplain-Management

You may begin construction after permits are obtained.

Office of the County Engineer

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