Do you need a building permit in Houston?

The short answer

The City's rule is simple: any alteration, repair, remodel, renovation or new construction needs a permit unless the code specifically exempts it. The exemptions are short, and Houston made one of them smaller than the national code: storage buildings.

What does not need a permit in Houston

These are the common exemptions in Houston's residential code amendments, in effect since January 1, 2024. In the floodplain, some of this work still needs a floodplain permit (see below).

• One-story detached storage buildings up to 120 sq ft (the national code allows 200 sq ft; Houston lowered it)
• Fences up to 8 ft tall that are not masonry or concrete
• Retaining walls up to 4 ft tall
• Decks of 200 sq ft or less, no more than 30 in above the ground, not attached to the house and not serving the required exit door
• Painting, tile, carpet, cabinets and countertops
• Drywall repair up to 100 sq ft and roof covering repair up to 100 sq ft

What does need a permit

Plan on a permit for anything structural or anything that adds space.

• New homes and additions
• Remodels that change walls, framing, the foundation or the roof structure
• Garages, carports and storage buildings over 120 sq ft
• Fences over 8 ft, and any fence built partly of masonry or concrete, at any height
• Decks that are attached to the house or larger or higher than the exemption
• Patio covers and pergolas attached to the house: they are not on the City's exempt list
• Electrical, plumbing and mechanical (HVAC) work, on separate trade permits

Trade permits are separate

Houston does not require a general contractor license, but electrical, plumbing and mechanical work must be permitted and done by a licensed person. Electrical permits go only to registered master electricians. HVAC permits go to licensed contractors registered with the City. A homeowner can get a plumbing permit and do the work only on a home they own, live in and have registered as their homestead.

What the City asks for on an addition

The City's addition checklist (revised September 2025) asks for:

• The permit application, the storm water form, the recorded plat and a drainage plan
• A survey or site plan
• Foundation plans with the pad location, concrete strength, beam details and steel layout
• Floor plans and roof or framing plans
• A door and window schedule and wall sections
• Energy code compliance: 2021 IECC prescriptive, or a REScheck, REM/Rate, IC3 or City of Houston prescriptive report

New homes and sealed drawings

For new homes, the City's checklist says the structural and architectural sheets must be sealed, signed and dated by a Texas licensed architect or engineer, and it routes the plans to planning, structural, utility, storm drainage, traffic and floodplain review. For additions, the City says engineer-designed plans "may be required", usually for the slab. For a new home or an addition that enlarges the footprint, a form survey goes to the inspector at the first structural inspection.

How you apply

Everything is online. You create an account and apply in iPermits, pay the plan review fee, then get an email invitation to upload the plans to ProjectDox. Plan review is required for residential building permits.

The floodplain changes the rules

In Houston, a floodplain development permit is required in addition to any other permit for work in a special flood hazard area, and that area includes the 500-year floodplain and shaded X zones. New buildings and substantial improvements (work costing 50% or more of the building's market value) must be built to the 500-year flood elevation plus 2 feet. The elevation certificate is due before framing starts. In the floodplain, even pergolas, porches, awnings and carports need a floodplain permit.

Check your deed restrictions first

Many Houston neighborhoods have deed restrictions on use, setbacks, lot size and building size, and the City's Legal Department enforces some of them. The City says to confirm your restrictions before you build and that permits may be revoked for deed restriction violations. You can get a copy of your subdivision's restrictions from the Harris County Clerk.

How long review takes

These are the times the City states on its pages. Real times vary with the project and with how complete the drawings are.

• New home: 15 business days
• Addition: 10 business days
• Remodel: 1 to 15 business days
• Revision: 15 business days
• Fence: 10 days
• Floodplain remodel or outdoor improvement: 1 to 3 business days
• Inspections: the next business day after you request them