Skip to main content
PermitBase

Residential Demolition Permit in Houston, Texas

A demolition permit is required for the demolition of any residential structure or building within the City of Houston. (HPWCODE1142)

Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Before applying, a master plumber licensed with the State of Texas and registered with the City of Houston must purchase a plumbing permit to disconnect all sewer and water supply lines connected to the structure, and that work must be inspected and approved.
  • A Fill and Grade permit is additionally required for swimming pool demolition.

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 3 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our checklist will assemble all of them, free →

Fee schedule

Review timeline

Plan reviewHouston’s published plan-review target
1–1 business days

How long did your Residential Demolition Permit permit actually take in Houston?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Plumbing inspection for the sewer disconnect, scheduled by the master plumber.

  2. 2

    Final demolition inspection once the building has been demolished. Permit must be on-site for inspections.

See the full Houston inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Frequently asked questions

Houston requires a residential demolition permit for: Before applying, a master plumber licensed with the State of Texas and registered with the City of Houston must purchase a plumbing permit to disconnect all sewer and water supply lines connected to the structure, and that work must be inspected and approved.; A Fill and Grade permit is additionally required for swimming pool demolition.. If your project isn't listed, confirm with Houston Permitting Center — Building Code Enforcement, Permits Office at 832.394.8899 before starting work.

Houston's published plan-review target for a residential demolition permit is 1–1 business days.

You'll need: Building Permit Application (CE1263); Sewer disconnect permit and approved inspection; Asbestos survey, if applicable. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Houston requires 2 inspection(s) for a residential demolition permit, in order: Plumbing inspection for the sewer disconnect, scheduled by the master plumber., Final demolition inspection once the building has been demolished. Permit must be on-site for inspections.. Schedule each through Houston Permitting Center — Building Code Enforcement, Permits Office (832.394.8899).

Apply through Houston Permitting Center — Building Code Enforcement, Permits Office at 1002 Washington Ave., 1st Floor, Houston, TX 77002. Phone: 832.394.8899, email: permits_office@houstontx.gov. Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Official information: https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/building-code-enforcement/permits.

Houston, Texas has adopted: 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). Local amendments apply — see the Houston overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-06.

Department & other records

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Houston building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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.

Other permits in Houston

New Residential Construction PermitResidential Addition PermitElectrical Fixture PermitPlumbing Fixture PermitAlteration of HVAC (Commercial/Residential)Residential Roofing PermitResidential FencingSwimming Pool PermitSolar Panel Permit

Compare residential demolition permit fees across Texas →

Look up this fee in a different city →

Embed this data card →

Now live

Build your Houston project checklist

Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Houston — in one checklist. Free, for any city and any number of projects.

Get started →