Alternate Housing Facility

ARACPE1068
Plan Review
Not Required
Inspection
Required
Renewal
Required
Fee
$130.00
Admin fee
$32.16
Inspection fee
$192.00
Renewal fee
$130.00
Valid Period
1 year
Processing Time
1 to 4 weeks
APPLY QUESTIONS
Administration & Regulatory Affairs

Physical Address:

1002 Washington Ave., 1st floor
Houston, TX 77002

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1561
Houston, TX 77251

8 am to 4 pm
INSPECTIONS QUESTIONS
Houston Public Works

Physical Address:

1002 Washington Ave., 1st Floor
Houston, TX 77002

Mailing Address:

PO Box 2688
Houston, TX 77252-2688

8 am to 4:30 pm

About

Alternate housing facility means a resident in which 3 or more unrelated parolees reside that:

  1. Is owned by an individual, private entity, or non-profit or faith based organization
  2. Is not operated by, established by, or contracted with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and
  3. Will be operated under TDCJ approval
After Approval

Owner will post and maintain permit in a public area of the facility.

Permit is non-transferable to a new property address or new owner.

Conditions & Exceptions

Alternate housing facilities are required to be at least 1,000 feet from schools, day cares, public parks, and other correctional facilities and alternate housing facilities.

Alternate housing facilities that are approved by TDCJ at the time of ordinance passage will be grandfathered or exempt from distance requirements. TDCJ will require alternate housing applicants to obtain a permit from the City before receiving approval to house parolees.

Additional Resources
Statutory Authority
What You Need
  • Pre-application questionnaire form
  • Alternate housing facility permit application 
    • A certified copy of the Assumed Name certificate or a certified copy of the articles of incorporation or other certificate authorizing you to transact business in this state 
    • A copy of the recorded deed to show proof of current fee ownership for the tract of land 
    • If the owner of the facility is not the current fee owner for the tract of land, then a copy of the lease, purchase contract or other document evidencing that the owner of the facility has the land owner approval to use for this purpose.
    • Safety and emergency procedures detailed including a written fire and evacuation plan 
    • Unsworn declaration of deed restriction compliance
  • Proof of current passed Alternate Housing Facility inspection 
  • A valid Certificate of Occupancy 
  • Valid form of identification
  • Method of payment: cash, check, cashier's check, money order, or debit/credit card

Apply in Person
  1. Submit the pre-application form to [email protected].
  2. As directed by the City, obtain a copy of or apply for a Certificate of Occupancy.
  3. Upon completion of an Occupancy Inspection or annual inspection, apply for the Alternate Housing Facility permit.
  4. Bring the completed application and supporting documents to Commercial Permitting & Enforcement section, located at the Houston Permitting Center.
  5. Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
What You Need
Schedule Online
  1. Email the completed inspection application form to [email protected].
  2. A representative will reply with instructions for online payment and an inspection date.
Conditions & Exceptions

The annual inspection may be completed up to 3 months prior to permit anniversary date.

The cost of the first annual inspection will be waived if the Certificate of Occupancy is applied for within the first year after the ordinance is adopted.

What You Need
  • Passed annual inspection
  • Alternate housing facility application form
  • Proof of continual approval from Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
  • Method of payment: cash, check, cashier's check, money order, or debit/credit card
Renew in Person
  1. Bring the completed application, supporting documents and payment to Commercial Permitting & Enforcement section, located at the Houston Permitting Center.
  2. Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
Conditions & Exceptions

Permit is non-transferable to new property address or new owners.

What You Need
  • Passed annual inspection
  • Alternate housing facility application form
  • Proof of continual approval from Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
  • Method of payment: cash, check, cashier's check, money order, or debit/credit card
Renew in Person
  1. Bring the completed application, supporting documents and payment to Commercial Permitting & Enforcement section, located at the Houston Permitting Center.
  2. Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
Conditions & Exceptions

Permit is non-transferable to new property address or new owners.