Freeport, Texas Building Permit Guide

Inside Freeport city limits, permits come from the City’s Building Department at City Hall, 1201 North Ave. H (979-871-0109). Building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work each need their own permit, a new house is charged $0.45 per square foot (minimum $100), and homes must be built for 150 mph winds and at least 18 inches above base flood elevation in AE zones.

What requires a permit in Freeport?

The City asks anyone planning construction or remodeling to take out the appropriate permits, usually with drawings. Its fee schedule and forms cover:

Who handles permitting in Freeport?

The Building Department reviews plans, issues permits, inspects construction and enforces minimum housing standards inside city limits, including upgrading or removing substandard buildings. The building permit application also routes projects for zoning, health department and Fire Marshal approval where they apply. Land outside the city is unincorporated Brazoria County.

Freeport applications and contractor rules

Download the forms from the City’s E-Forms page. The building permit application asks for the living, garage and porch square footage, setbacks, flood zone, base flood elevation, finished floor and lowest adjacent grade, and whether an elevation certificate or V-zone certificate applies. It must come with detailed drawings and 2 sets of plans.

• Contractors pull the permits: when a homeowner hires a contractor, the contractor must take out the permits, and every contractor needs the licences or insurance its trade requires. New contractors fill in the General Contractor Information Form.
• Property Owner Authorization form, for someone applying on the owner’s behalf.
• Energy compliance: ResCheck or ComCheck reports.
• Temporary power: the TCI form must be approved in the office before the meter inspection is requested.
• The City also publishes procedures for roof permits, demolition, foundation repair, irrigation systems and gas tests.

Freeport permit fees

Figures from the City’s Master Fee Schedule (last updated April 2022):

For example, a 2,000 sq ft house carries a $900 building permit before plan review and trade permits. The schedule lists detached garages twice, at $0.35 per sq ft ($50 minimum) and $0.30 per sq ft ($25 minimum), so ask the department which applies.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire permits

Commercial construction also goes to the Fire Department for plan review, charged by size: $75 under 2,000 sq ft, $325 under 10,000 sq ft, $425 for 10,000 to 40,000 sq ft and $750 above that. Fire alarm and fire extinguishing systems carry their own plan review, per-system and testing fees.

How to get a Freeport building permit

Inspections in Freeport

Schedule inspections on 979-871-0109. The City’s residential procedure lists the T-pole, ground plumbing (a 10 ft water test; no air test on PVC), water and sewer lines, foundation, cover-up framing, brick tie and lath, driveway and flatwork, electrical meter, gas test and meter, public works and final occupancy inspections. The forms survey must reach the permit office before the foundation inspection, and the approved plans and address must be on site every time.

In AE zones the lowest floor must be at least 18 inches above base flood elevation, with three FEMA elevation certificates (at plans, under construction and finished). In X zones the top of the form must be 18 inches above natural grade and no certificate is needed. At the final, provide an engineer’s windstorm letter for 150 mph winds and the final elevation certificate and survey. Commercial sites may not work between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Texas building code

Texas has no single statewide building code: state law makes the International Residential Code the base code for homes in cities and the International Building Code the base for commercial buildings, with each city choosing the edition and its own amendments, while the National Electrical Code and the energy code apply statewide. Outside city limits most counties issue no building permits for homes. Texas building code rules

Freeport official resources

• Freeport Building Department
• City of Freeport E-Forms (building department forms)
• Building permit application (PDF)
• Master Fee Schedule (PDF)
• Single-family residential inspection procedures (PDF)
• Commercial inspection procedures (PDF)
• Roof permit procedure (PDF)
• Freeport public permit portal (Citizenserve)

Freeport permit FAQs

How much is a building permit for a new house in Freeport?

$0.45 per square foot with a $100 minimum, plus separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits. A 2,000 sq ft house carries a $900 building permit.

Do I need a permit for a fence or a new roof in Freeport?

Yes. Fences cost $0.10 per linear foot and roofs $0.04 per square foot, each with a $25 minimum.

Who pulls the permit if I hire a contractor?

The contractor. Freeport requires the contractor to pull the permits for work at your home.

How high must a new house be built in a flood zone?

In an AE zone the lowest floor must be at least 18 inches above base flood elevation; in an X zone the top of the form must be 18 inches above natural grade.

How do I schedule an inspection in Freeport?

Call the Building Department at 979-871-0109.

How long is a Freeport permit valid?

It becomes void if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after it starts.

Simplify Freeport permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Texas. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Freeport permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.