Houston building permits
Department contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Houston, Texas.
Last verified 2026-09-06 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 1002 Washington Ave., 1st Floor, Houston, TX 77002
- Phone
- 832.394.8899
- Office hours
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Website
- Official site
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Houston — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.
Codes adopted
Texas adopts the International Residential Code as it existed on May 1, 2012 as the municipal residential building code, by statute rather than through a state agency. A municipality may adopt local amendments that add, modify, or remove requirements set by that code, and may review and consider later International Code Council changes but is not obliged to. The statutory edition does not advance on a cycle.
- 2021 International Residential Code, with Houston Amendments (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024
- 2021 International Building Code, with Houston Amendments (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024
- 2021 International Existing Building Code, with Houston Amendments (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024
- 2021 International Fire Code, with Houston Amendments (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024
- 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, with Houston Amendments — Residential (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024
- 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, with Houston Amendments — Commercial (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024
- 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code, with Houston Amendments (IAPMO) — effective January 1, 2024
- 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, with Houston Amendments (IAPMO) — effective January 1, 2024
- 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, with Houston Amendments (ICC) — effective January 1, 2024
- 2022 Minimum Design Loads & Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE 7 (ASCE/SEI) — effective January 1, 2024
- ASHRAE 90.1-2019, with Houston Amendments — Commercial (ASHRAE) — effective January 1, 2024
- Sign Code, Chapter 46 of the Houston Building Code (City of Houston) — effective July 29, 2020
- 2023 National Electrical Code, State Mandated, with Administrative Code Provisions (NFPA) — code effective September 1, 2023 / administrative provisions effective January 1, 2024 — SUPERSEDED, see note below
- 2021 Code Words — various sections interpreted and administrative policies (City of Houston)
Permit types & fees
New Residential Construction Permit
Residential construction: new homes or residential accessory structures, remodel or conversion of existing buildings, or additions to existing buildings. (HPWCODE1136)
See fee scheduleResidential Addition Permit
Residential construction: residential accessory structures, remodel or conversion of existing buildings, or additions to existing buildings. (HPWCODE1134)
See fee scheduleResidential Demolition Permit
A demolition permit is required for the demolition of any residential structure or building within the City of Houston. (HPWCODE1142)
See fee scheduleElectrical Fixture Permit
An electrical permit is required any time a lighting fixture or luminaire must be installed, moved, rewired, repaired, or replaced. Some types of security lighting may also require an electrical permit. This is one of several distinct Houston electrical permit sub-types (others include Electrical Outlet, Circuit Panel, Electrical Meter & Loop Service, EV Charging Outlet, Generator, and Temporary Cut-In permits); Houston does not appear to publish a single generic 'Electrical Permit' page covering all electrical work. (HPWCODE1054)
See fee schedulePlumbing Fixture Permit
A plumbing permit is required for plumbing fixtures. Exempt fixtures include toilets/water closets, lavatory and kitchen faucets, and garbage disposals. Additional fixtures may be added to an existing, active plumbing permit. (HPWCODE1093)
See fee scheduleAlteration of HVAC (Commercial/Residential)
Applicants who wish to modify or alter an existing HVAC system by adding or removing parts or equipment must obtain a mechanical permit. Plan review may be required depending on the scope of work. (HPWCODE1019)
See fee scheduleResidential Roofing Permit
Permit for a re-roof or roofing overlay for a residence structure. (HPWCODE1140)
See fee scheduleResidential Fencing
Permit for a new or replacement fence. Fences of any material that exceed 8 feet above grade require a permit. Fences constructed completely or partially of masonry or concrete require a permit regardless of height. (HPWCODE1145)
See fee scheduleSwimming Pool Permit
Permit for the construction of a new swimming pool at a residence or commercial building. (HPWCODE1141)
See fee scheduleSolar Panel Permit
Permit for installation of solar (photovoltaic) panels, issued as an electrical permit; plan review is required depending on the scope of work. The city's own page for this permit type does not include prose description text in its 'Permit Description' field beyond the heading. (HPWCODE1119)
See fee schedule
Houston's permit history isn't searchable here yet
This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Houston yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.
Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Houston lands. Privacy.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-07)
- 1,296units
494 buildings · $202.3M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 11,112units
12 of 12 months reported · #2 in Texas coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-07)
- 5,929units
3,247 buildings · $1,415.7M valuation
7 month(s) reported to Census
- Full year 2025
- 11,878units
5,953 buildings · $2,822.2M valuation
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-07 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Texas building activity
Tips & gotchas
- Houston has no city-wide comprehensive zoning ordinance. Per the City of Houston's own Official Zoning Letter (Planning & Development Department, dated January 6, 2026): 'The City of Houston does not have a city-wide comprehensive zoning ordinance.' Narrow exceptions exist: land use/height-hazard regulation around the city's airports (IAH, HOU, EFD) under Code of Ordinances Chapter 9, Articles VI and VII, and zoning specific to Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. 1, St. George Place. Source: https://www.houstontx.gov/planning//DevelopRegs/docs_pdfs/2026/No-Zoning-Letter-and-Boundary-Map-2026.pdf
- Houston adopts IAPMO's Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code (not the ICC's International Plumbing/Mechanical Codes), and the NFPA National Electrical Code for electrical work — confirmed via the city's own 'List of Adopted Codes' (CE1199) document and Code Development page.
- As of 2026-09-06, the 2026 National Electrical Code is the effective state-mandated minimum code (effective September 1, 2026), but Houston's own local administrative provisions/amendments for the 2026 NEC were still open for public comment as of the same date — meaning the city's local electrical amendments had not been finalized for the new code edition yet.
- A registered master plumber must disconnect and get inspection approval for sewer/water lines before a residential demolition permit application can be submitted.
- New construction and additions that extend the building footprint now require a legal form survey to be presented at the first scheduled structural inspection, per a Houston Permitting Center update on the New Residential Construction Permit page.