A Houston building permit is issued by the Houston Permitting Center — Houston Public Works, Building Code Enforcement — a one-stop centre combining most city permits and licences. Houston is unusual in two ways: it has no zoning, with deed restrictions governing land use instead, and it sits in a flood-prone region with strict floodplain rules. We file and track your permit for you.
The fee structure has a trap worth knowing before you budget. For projects requiring plan review, a non-refundable plan review deposit equal to 25% of the estimated building permit fee is collected when the application enters review. That is real money committed before the first comment comes back.
Applications run through iPermits; plans upload separately through ProjectDox. Once the application is complete a project number is assigned, and only then are you invited to upload plans. Commercial plans are reviewed simultaneously by multiple departments within the centre.
Applies inside City of Houston limits. The Houston Permitting Center permits only work within city limits — unincorporated Harris County and the other cities in the region have their own processes. Houston’s extraterritorial jurisdiction extends beyond the city limits and can add an additional layer of city authority on some project types.
Houston has no zoning — but that does not mean no land-use rules. Deed restrictions, plat requirements, and floodplain regulations still apply, and properties in or near a floodplain face added requirements. Confirm deed restrictions and floodplain status before design; they are the substitute for zoning here, not the absence of it.
What requires a permit in Houston?
Under the 2021 Houston Construction Code — the 2021 IBC, IRC, IECC, IEBC, IFC and ISPSC with the 2021 Uniform Mechanical and Uniform Plumbing Codes, all with Houston amendments, in effect since January 1, 2024, a permit is required before most construction. Electrical plans are reviewed to the 2026 National Electrical Code since September 1, 2026.
The city publishes a Project Planner tool that identifies which permits a specific project needs. Use it before assembling anything — it is the fastest way to catch a record type you did not know applied.
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and tenant build-outs
- Structural and load-bearing alterations, and demolition
- Reroofing, window and door replacement, and exterior work
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical and HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Swimming pools, signs, driveways, and earth hauling
- Solar PV systems and irrigation
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering structure or systems
- Certain low non-structural fences — confirm limits
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
Houston building department: who handles permitting
Permitting is administered by the Houston Permitting Center’s Building Code Enforcement branch, which is also the addressing authority for properties in the city. Commercial plans are reviewed simultaneously by multiple departments within the centre.
State-licensed trades must register their licence with the City of Houston before pulling permits. Many trade permits can be issued online once that registration is in place.
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Get a free quote →| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | Houston Permitting Center — Building Code Enforcement |
| Office | 1002 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77002 |
| Phone | 832-394-9000 · cashiers Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Online portal | iPermits / Houston Permit Portal — permits.houstontx.gov — plus ProjectDox |
| Project Planner | Online tool that identifies the permits your project needs |
| Contractor registration | State-licensed trades must register their licence with the City of Houston |
| Enforced code | 2021 Houston Construction Code (2021 I-Codes plus the 2021 Uniform Mechanical and Plumbing Codes, with Houston amendments); 2026 NEC for electrical review |
| Plan review deposit | Non-refundable 25% of the estimated building permit fee, at review intake |
Historic-district work needs a Certificate of Appropriateness, and properties in or near Special Flood Hazard Areas face elevation, fill, and drainage requirements. Neither is visible from the building permit application — establish both before design.
In 2025, building permits issued in Houston authorized 11,878 new privately owned housing units, 4,774 of them single-family homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.
Houston permits: record types and what each covers
A building permit is one record among many, and Houston splits the process across two systems: applications in iPermits, plans in ProjectDox. The city also publishes a Project Planner tool that identifies which permits a specific project needs — the fastest way to catch a record type you did not know applied before the 25% review deposit is committed.
Residential permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | New dwellings, additions, and accessory structures over the exempt threshold | Full plan review (structural, energy, zoning) | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural or load-bearing changes, layout changes, substantial repair | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Reroof | Roof covering replacement and most major roof repair | Local reroof inspections; TDI windstorm inspection in the coastal catastrophe area | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Rooftop or ground-mount PV installation or replacement | Structural plus electrical review | Flat or system-size based |
| Solar thermal | Passive water heating or pool heating systems | Plumbing and structural review | Flat or per-permit minimum |
| Electrical | Service changes, panel upgrades, new circuits, most wiring alterations | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-device |
| Plumbing | New piping, repipes, water heaters, fixtures, gas piping | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Changeouts that are not like-for-like, ductwork, refrigeration | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-unit |
| Windows and doors | Replacement units and opening protection | Windstorm review for wind-borne debris on the coast | Valuation or per-opening |
| Pool and spa | In-ground and above-ground pools, spas, barrier and enclosure work | Plan review plus barrier and electrical bonding | Valuation-based |
| Fence and accessory | Fences, sheds, decks, and carports over the exempt threshold | Zoning plus structural where applicable | Flat or valuation-based |
| Demolition | Full or partial demolition of a structure | Utility disconnect verification required | Flat |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Commercial permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | Ground-up commercial, industrial, and multifamily | Full multi-discipline plan review | Valuation-based |
| Tenant improvement | Interior build-outs and suite fit-ups | Plan review across affected disciplines | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural, envelope, or system changes to an existing building | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Change of use | Converting a building from one occupancy classification to another | Zoning, life-safety, and accessibility review | Valuation or flat |
| Reroof | Commercial roof covering replacement | Plan review plus fire review where applicable; TDI windstorm inspection on the coast | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Commercial rooftop, carport, and ground-mount PV | Structural, electrical, and often fire review | Valuation or system-size based |
| Electrical | Service, distribution, and branch circuit work | Trade review | Valuation or per-device |
| Plumbing | Supply, waste, vent, and gas systems | Trade review | Valuation or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Rooftop units, ductwork, exhaust, and refrigeration | Trade review | Valuation or per-unit |
| Fire protection | Sprinkler, standpipe, alarm, and suppression systems | Fire prevention plan review | Valuation or per-device |
| Sign | Wall, monument, and illuminated signage | Zoning plus electrical where illuminated | Flat or per-sign |
| Demolition | Full or partial commercial demolition | Utility disconnect and environmental clearance | Flat or valuation-based |
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Call 1-855-478-4290 →Residential
- Single-discipline review in most cases
- Master permit with trades filed against it
- Owners may do some work on their own home; many cities ask for a homestead affidavit
- Windstorm rules drive roofing and opening protection on the coast
Commercial — multi-discipline
- Concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning
- Signed and sealed plans for larger projects; many cities require them for all commercial work
- Accessibility and life-safety review attach to change of use
- Impact fees can apply on top of permit fees
Roofing permits in Houston
Houston sits inland of the TDI designated catastrophe area, so WPI-8 windstorm certification does not attach to roofing and envelope work in the city — unlike the parts of La Porte, Morgan’s Point, Pasadena, Seabrook and Shoreacres east of State Highway 146. Rainfall, hail, and floodplain elevation requirements govern here instead, and post-Harvey rules reach properties in and near Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Texas has no single statewide building code and no general contractor licence: state law sets base codes and each city adopts its own edition and amendments, while most counties issue no building permits for homes outside city limits. The statewide solar, HOA and roofing rules are on the Texas page. Texas rules
Houston permit cost and fees
Houston building permit fees are set by the City Fee Schedule in the Code of Ordinances, with the building permit fee calculated from project valuation and separate fees for each trade.
Additional fees may apply for floodplain review, specialised permits, re-inspections, or expedited review. Confirm current amounts on the City Fee Schedule or in iPermits before budgeting.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building / construction fee | Calculated from project valuation; minimum fees apply |
| Plan review deposit | Non-refundable 25% of the estimated building permit fee at review intake |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade; many trade permits are issued online |
| Floodplain review | Added requirements and fees in or near Special Flood Hazard Areas |
| Certificate of Occupancy | Required before a commercial space may be occupied |
| Work without a permit | Penalties and possible retroactive permitting |
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Want a precise number for a specific Houston project? Send us the scope and valuation and we’ll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Houston trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work generally needs its own permit and a Texas-licensed contractor registered with the City of Houston. Many trade permits can be pulled online once that registration is in place.
Electrical
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations — performed by a state-licensed electrician registered with the city.
Plumbing
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, and gas piping, performed by a state-licensed plumber. Fees follow the city schedule with a per-permit minimum.
Mechanical / HVAC
Required for HVAC changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration, performed by a state-licensed mechanical contractor. Specialised systems are permitted and inspected separately.
Specialty
Reroofs, signs, driveways, irrigation, and pools are permitted separately. Historic district work needs a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Houston permit application: how to apply step by step
Verify the work needs a permit and the parcel is inside Houston city limits. Check deed restrictions, plat status, and floodplain maps. Use the Project Planner to list required permits.
Assemble the application, valuation, signed and sealed plans, IECC energy code compliance, structural calculations, and floodplain documentation where applicable.
Create an account and apply online. Once the application is complete a project number is assigned and you are invited to upload plans via ProjectDox.
Multiple departments review commercial plans simultaneously. Pay the non-refundable 25% plan review deposit at intake, then revise and resubmit if comments issue.
Pay the remaining fees, then pull and post the permit on site throughout construction.
Schedule inspections through the portal. For commercial spaces, obtain a Certificate of Occupancy before occupying.
Inspections in Houston
Inspections are scheduled through the Houston Permit Portal using your permit or project number. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, and final. Keep the permit posted on site throughout construction.
A Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained before a commercial building or lease space may be occupied, or when the occupancy classification changes. A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections.
Permitted work remains subject to inspection and must remain accessible and exposed until approved by the building official — covering work before its checkpoint means opening it back up.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Houston permit search and official resources
- Houston Permitting Center
- iPermits / Houston Permit Portal
- Houston construction codes and ordinances
- Harris County e-Permits — for unincorporated areas
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in Houston?
Houston Permitting Center — Building Code Enforcement issues building permits for everything inside Houston city limits, handling plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. The city reaches into Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties; work outside the city limits falls to the county or to another city, and Texas counties have sharply limited building authority in unincorporated areas.
How do I get a permit in Houston?
Confirm the scope triggers a permit and that deed restrictions and the city’s plat and floodplain rules allow it, prepare the plan set and site plan, file through iPermits + ProjectDox with contractor licensure in place, pay the 25% plan review deposit, respond to plan review comments, pay fees and take issuance, then run the inspection sequence through final. Contractor credentialing is the step most often missed and it blocks everything downstream.
What codes apply in Houston?
Texas has no mandatory statewide building code. Municipalities adopt and amend model codes themselves, and Houston enforces the 2021 Houston Construction Code — the 2021 IBC, IRC, IECC, IEBC, IFC and ISPSC with the 2021 Uniform Mechanical and Uniform Plumbing Codes, all with Houston amendments, in effect since January 1, 2024. Houston uses the Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Codes where most Texas cities use the International ones, so check plumbing and mechanical details against the Houston amendments.
Does Houston really have no zoning?
Correct, and it is the only major US city without traditional zoning — but that does not mean land use is unregulated. Deed restrictions govern instead, and plat requirements and floodplain regulations still apply. Properties in or near a floodplain face added elevation, fill, and drainage requirements. Confirm deed restrictions, plat status, and floodplain maps before design, because they do the work zoning would do elsewhere.
What is the 25% plan review deposit?
For projects requiring plan review, Houston collects a non-refundable deposit equal to 25% of the estimated building permit fee when the application enters review. It is committed money before the first review comment comes back, so settle the scope and record type before entering review. Additional fees may apply for floodplain review, specialised permits, re-inspections, or expedited review.
What is the difference between iPermits and ProjectDox?
They are two stages of one process. You apply in iPermits, the Houston Permit Portal at permits.houstontx.gov — and once the application is complete, a project number is assigned and you are then invited to upload plans through ProjectDox for review. Commercial plans are reviewed simultaneously by multiple departments within the Permitting Center. Use the Project Planner tool first to confirm exactly which permits your project needs before starting either.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Houston?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in Houston are permitted under a dedicated solar record type reviewed on both a structural and an electrical track. Solar thermal — passive water and pool heating — is a separate record. Under Tex. Prop. Code §202.010, a homeowners' association cannot ban a solar energy device outright, but it may still require prior architectural approval and impose reasonable placement conditions, so run the HOA submittal alongside the permit. Since September 1, 2025, Tex. Local Gov't Code §247.0025 (SB 1202) also permits third-party plan review and inspection of home backup power installations — generators and energy storage for one- and two-family dwellings at 600 volts or less — in place of jurisdiction review. Utility interconnection and Permission to Operate still run in parallel.
Does a roof replacement require a permit in Houston?
Yes, in most cases. A roof covering replacement requires a permit in most Texas municipalities including Houston, though minor repairs can fall below the local threshold. Texas has no statewide product approval system and no central product listing, so compliance runs against the locally adopted code edition and its local amendments. Hail rather than wind is the governing risk inland, and Tex. Prop. Code §202.011 bars an HOA from prohibiting wind or hail resistant shingles.
What is the difference between a residential and a commercial permit in Houston?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial plans in Houston are reviewed simultaneously by several departments within the Permitting Center, require signed and sealed plans for every affected discipline, and can carry impact fees on top of permit fees. Change of use adds accessibility and life-safety review.
Do trade permits need to be pulled separately in Houston?
Yes in most cases. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is permitted separately by the licensed contractor for each trade and filed against the master building permit. Each trade permit carries its own fee and its own inspection sequence.
What happens if I file under the wrong permit type in Houston?
It usually has to be refiled under the correct record type, which costs review time. Use the Project Planner to confirm the record type before filing.
Can I apply for all Houston permit types online?
Yes, across two systems. Apply online through iPermits at permits.houstontx.gov, then upload plans through ProjectDox once a project number is assigned. Many trade permits can be issued online once the contractor has registered their state licence with the City of Houston. Inspections are scheduled through the portal using the permit or project number, and the Project Planner tool identifies which permits a project needs before you start.
Simplify Houston permitting with Alliance Permitting
A one-stop centre with a two-system workflow, a non-refundable 25% plan review deposit, no zoning but binding deed restrictions, and post-Harvey floodplain rules — Houston rewards applicants who submit clean, complete packages the first time. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Houston: we scope in the Project Planner and file through iPermits and ProjectDox.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Houston because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know the Houston Permitting Center, iPermits and ProjectDox, and floodplain review.
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Complete submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the authority having jurisdiction through issuance. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
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Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Houston permits while you stay focused on building. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.
More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of July 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with Houston Permitting Center — Building Code Enforcement before filing. This is not legal advice.