Welcome to the Houston Permitting Center

The Houston Permitting Center combines the majority of the City of Houston's permitting and licensing into one convenient location. We opened in June 2011 with a mission to help customers achieve their goals while complying with the City’s regulations. Providing excellent service, streamlining business processes, implementing innovative technologies, and proactively engaging customers are all cornerstones of our mission.

Plans next to a hardhat with the Houston Public Works logo

Office of the City Engineer

The Office of the City Engineer (OCE) implements and administers the provisions in the City's Code of Ordinances state and federal regulations relating to floodplain management, street cuts, and storm water quality.
Inspectors at a job site inspection a construction site

Building Code Enforcement

Building Code Enforcement manages Building Code Services and administers the provisions in the City's Code of Ordinances and state/federal regulations relating to private building construction, and sign administration.
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Open Records

The Open Records section is responsible for processing Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) requests for the Building Code Enforcement and the Office of the City Engineer service lines. 
project planner

Project Planner

Are you starting a business? Thinking about renovating your home? Simply answer questions about your business or construction project, and the Project Planner will identify the permits you’ll need from the City of Houston.
Title
Project Status
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Use your 8-digit project number to check your plan review or inspection status

Construction Codes

Construction Codes

Construction codes help our residents protect their homes and businesses by providing safer, more resilient construction that will support greater economic security and public safety
IDM

Infrastructure Design Manual | IDM

The basic criteria for engineers to design infrastructure in a manner acceptable to Houston Public Works
Occupancy

Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained before a commercial building or an individual lease space within a commercial building may be occupied
MS4

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System | MS4

This section manages the MS4 permit/program (municipal separate storm sewer system)
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