Houston building permits
Building permits in Houston are issued by the Houston Permitting Center (Houston Public Works)1. You can apply and request inspections online through pdinet.pd.houstontx.gov2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Do you need a permit in Houston? Common projects
- Building codes in force in Houston
- Houston building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Houston
- Inspections in Houston
- Building without a permit in Houston
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Texas rules that also apply in Houston
- Sources
Building department contacts
Houston Permitting Center (Houston Public Works)1
Building permits
- Website
- houstonpermittingcenter.org3
- Apply online
- pdinet.pd.houstontx.gov2
- Phone
- (832) 394-90001
- [email protected]3
- Address
- 1002 Washington Ave., Houston, TX 770021
- Inspections
- Electrical inspections: online at www.houstonpermits.com or 832-394-88604
Houston Health Department (residential pool/spa plan review)5
Health department
- [email protected]5
Health (Swimming Pools) appointment line at the Houston Permitting Center3
Health department
- [email protected]3
Do you need a permit in Houston? Common projects
Each project below has its own page with Houston's exact rule, the official wording, fees and inspections.
| Project | Permit needed? | Key limit in the city rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fence | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this height: 8 feet6 |
| Deck | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet7 |
| Roof | General rule only | – |
| Pool | Yes | – |
Building codes in force in Houston
These are the model codes Houston enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Texas building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code (IRC) | 2021 Houston Construction Code8 | 20218 | 9 |
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2021 Houston Construction Code8 | 20218 | 9 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2021 Houston Construction Code8 | 20218 | 9 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | 2021 Houston Construction Code8 | 20218 | 9 |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) | 2021 Houston Construction Code8 | 20218 | 9 |
| Energy code, residential | 2021 Houston Construction Code8 | 20218 | 9 |
| Energy code, commercial | 2021 Houston Construction Code8 | 20218 | 9 |
| Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) | 2021 Houston Construction Code8 | 20218 | 9 |
| Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | 2021 Houston Construction Code8 | 20218 | 9 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2021 Houston Construction Code8 | 20238 | 9 |
Transition rules. Projects submitted before the 2021 codes effective date follow the existing "grandfathering" process8.
Houston building permit fees
Fees come from the City of Houston City Fee Schedule (City-Wide Fee Schedule)10, effective 10.
How valuation is set. Project valuation (structural permits); new one- and two-family dwellings use square-footage tiers by construction type (Ord. No. 2023-907 rows)10.
Each line is worded as in Houston’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Permit Fee for all permits except Plumbing | Minimum fee | $91.0610 |
| Plumbing Minimum Permit Fee | Minimum fee | $97.5610 |
| Electrical permit: Minimum Permit Fee | Minimum fee | $91.0610 |
| Permit or License Administrative Fee | Flat fee | $33.5610 |
| Structural Building permit fee when value is $0.01 to $7,000 | Based on project valuation | $47.0010 |
| Structural Building permit Fee for valuations from $7,001 to $150,000 Base Charge for first $7,000 | Based on project valuation | $47.0010 |
| Structural Building permit fee for valuation of $7,001 to $150,000 Base Charge plus Fee for each additional $1,000 valuation or fraction thereof above $7,000 valuation | Based on project valuation | $5.3610 |
| Structural building permit Fee for valuation from $150,001 to $200,000 Base Charge for first $150,000 | Based on project valuation | $815.0710 |
| Structural building permit fee when value is $150,001 to $200,000 Base Charge plus Fee for each additional $1,000 valuation or fraction thereof above $150,000 | Based on project valuation | $5.0310 |
| Structural building permit fee when value is $200,001 to $300,000 Base Charge for first $200,000 | Based on project valuation | $1,066.8610 |
| Structural building permit fee when value is $200,001 to $300,000 Base Charge plus Fee for each additional $1,000 valuation or fraction thereof above $200,000 | Based on project valuation | $4.7010 |
| Structural building permit fee when value is $300,001 to $500,000 Base Charge for first $300,000 | Based on project valuation | $1,536.8310 |
| Structural building permit fee when value is $300,001 to $500,000 Base Charge plus Fee for each additional $1,000 valuation or fraction thereof above $300,000 | Based on project valuation | $4.3610 |
| Fence permit for first 100 lineal feet Base Charge | Flat fee | $73.8510 |
| Fence permit Base Charge plus Fee for each additional 100 lineal feet or part thereof above first 100 lineal feet | Flat fee | $11.4110 |
| Re-examination of Plans or Deferred Submittal of plans (Plan review fee, or 15% of the permit Fee, whichever is greater) | Plan review | $94.0010 |
| Re-Inspection Fee | Re-inspection | $94.0010 |
| Inspection and Plan Review Outside Normal Working Hours Base Charge for up to 4 hours | After-hours inspection | $322.2710 |
| Minimum Investigation Fee - Work commenced prior to issuance of permit (includes one follow-up visit) | Work started without a permit | $333.4210 |
| Building Demolition Base Charge for First Story | Flat fee | $94.0010 |
How to get a building permit in Houston
- Submit a complete application, construction documents and required department approval letters12
- Plans may need a registered engineer12
- City staff review and approve12
- A few days to three to five weeks12
- Apply online
- Yes3
- Over-the-counter permits
- Repairs with matching materials (CE 1059 Residential Repair Spec List) need no plan review11
Inspections in Houston
The inspection Houston’s published material names. Do not cover work until it has passed (how inspections work).
- Electrical inspections (ditch or slab cover, wall cover, ceiling cover, temporary cut-in)4
Building without a permit in Houston
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation fee Houston Bldg. Code Sec. 118.1.15 | Work commenced prior to issuance of permit10 | $333.4210 |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
Texas's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Texas permit guide.
Texas rules that also apply in Houston
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Texas
- Contractor licensing in Texas
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Texas
- Private plan review and inspections in Texas
Sources
- Houston Permitting Center | City of Houston - Houston Public WorksCity of Houston, Houston Public WorksChecked November 6, 2026
- iPermits Customer PortalCity of Houston, Houston Public Works (iPermits)Checked November 7, 2026
- houston311.powerappsportals.usCity of Houston, Houston 3-1-1 Customer Service (Knowledge Base)Checked November 7, 2026
- houston311.powerappsportals.usCity of Houston, Houston 3-1-1 Customer Service (Knowledge Base)Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Pools | Houston Health DepartmentCity of Houston, Houston Health DepartmentLast updated February 10, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Fencing | Houston Permitting CenterCity of Houston, Houston Permitting Center (Houston Public Works)Checked November 7, 2026
- One-Stop Residential Projects, 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) (Houston Permitting Center training…City of Houston, Houston Permitting CenterPublished February 26, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Houston Construction Code Modernization – 2021 Building Code Adoption (presentation to Transportation, Technology,…City of Houston, Houston Public WorksPublished August 24, 2023Checked November 6, 2026
- Building Code Modernization Update (Houston Permitting Center presentation, City Council committee, October 13, 2025)City of Houston, Houston Public WorksPublished October 13, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- City Fee ScheduleCity of Houston, Finance Department (City-Wide Fee Schedule)Effective January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- houston311.powerappsportals.usCity of Houston, Houston 3-1-1 Customer Service (Knowledge Base)Checked November 7, 2026
- houston311.powerappsportals.usCity of Houston, Houston 3-1-1 Customer Service (Knowledge Base)Checked November 7, 2026