Residential Plan Review

Before you submit

Before submitting your building plans for review, you may need to contact the Planning and Development Department Subdivisions Section at 832.394.8849 for information about development plat review, and the Impact Fee Administration at 832.394.8888 to ensure there is available water and wastewater for your project. 
 

License Requirements

A general contractor’s license is not required to obtain building permits. However, trade contractors (i.e., Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical) are required to register their license with the City of Houston.

The City of Houston has a Voluntary Registration Program for roofing contractors. To register, roofing contractors must have proof of comprehensive general liability insurance in the form of a certificate or policy with minimum limits of $500,000 of death or bodily injury and $500,000 for property damage, per occurrence. For more information contact us at 832.394.8840.
 

Building Permit Exemptions

Permits are not required for the following:

• One-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 120 square ft.
• Fences not over 8 feet high that are not constructed of masonry or concrete, and that are not electrically energized.
• Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
• Uncovered wood decks accessory to a one- and two-family dwelling that are not more than 30 inches above grade.
• Minor repair and maintenance of existing structures that include: (1) Painting, tarping, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and counter tops repair and replacement and similar finish work;(2)  Repair to gypsum board (sheetrock or drywall) on existing walls that is not part of a fire-rated assembly and that does not exceed an aggregate of 100 square feet; (3) Repair, using the same material, of exterior wood fascia, trim and soffits that do not exceed an aggregate of 128 square feet; or (4) Roof covering that does not exceed an aggregate of 100 square feet.
• Minor single-family residential accessory swings and other residential playground equipment less than 12-feet in height.
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
• Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4

For a complete list of exemptions, refer to Section R105.2 of the Houston Amendments to the 2015 IRC.

Applicable Codes

• 2015 International Residential Code with Houston Amendments
• 2015 International Energy Conservation Code with Amendments
• 2020 National Electrical Code (State Mandated)

Visit the Code Development page for code information and updates.

Deed Restrictions

Before proceeding with any work, make sure your project complies with your subdivision's deed restrictions. Contact your civic club or homeowners' association for a copy of the deed restrictions. An unsworn Declaration in Support of Application for City of Houston Permit signed by the owner is required before starting the application process for most residential projects.

Residential Repairs

In most cases, to obtain a permit for general repairs, plans are not required. However, an Online Building Permit Application, and a Residential Repair Spec List must be completed.

Residential Re-roof

To obtain a permit for re-roof or roof repairs, plans are not required. This does not include the replacement of rafters and/or joists.

An Online Building Permit Application and a Residential Re-roof Worksheet must be completed.

General Requirements for most projects 

Some projects may require additional information. Please contact the One-Stop Section at 832.394.8820 for more information or review the Residential One-Stop Guideline:

Forms

• Online Building Permit Application (iPermits)
• Declaration in Support of Building Permit Application (Individual or Business Entity)
• Plans must show prescriptive compliance with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code or include ResCheck or IC3 Compliance Report.
• Grading and Fill Worksheet (CE-1094)

Plans including (but limited to):

• Survey or site plan based on survey 
• Building Plans:
  • Foundation plan/sections
  • Wall sections
  • Floor, ceiling and roof framing plans
  • Engineer's seal (when required)

Before proceeding with any work, make sure your project complies with your subdivision's deed restrictions. Contact your civic club or homeowners' association for a copy of the deed restrictions. A completed deed restrictions declaration form is required with for new construction. 

Before submitting your plans for review, you must apply for and receive a Wastewater Capacity Reservation (WCR) Letter via iPermits. For more information contact the Impact Fee Administration Section at 832-394-8888 or click here. 

All plans must be submitted electronically. To apply for a building permit, complete the following steps:

1. Collect the required information listed in the New Single Family Prerequisite Checklist (form CE-1301).
2. Complete a Building Permit Application online, and upload a Deed Restrictions Declaration form (Individual or Business Entity).
3. After address verification is completed, finalize your Building Permit application. 
4. Pay the plan review deposit fee (25% of the total building permit fee). A receipt with the project number will be emailed to you.
5. After permit fees have been paid, you will receive an invitation to upload plans into ProjectDox.
6. Upload all required documents and drawings to ProjectDox. 
7. Complete the assigned task to finalize your plan submission.

For a detailed list of steps, please refer to the EPR User guides at eServices. 

Before proceeding with any work, make sure your project complies with your subdivision's deed restrictions. Contact your civic club or homeowners' association for a copy of the deed restrictions. A completed deed restrictions declaration form is required with for new construction, exterior remodels, and additions. 

Most minor single-family residential projects are reviewed by the One-Stop Section, if the work falls within the following categories and the review time is 30 minutes or less:

• Additions to a residence
• Remodels/Repairs to a residence
• Garages and Structures for residences
• Fences over eight feet high
• Driveways and Sidewalks
• Residential Swimming Pools

Refer to the chart below to find out if your project will need the review from other Departments/Sections:

All plans must be submitted electronically. To apply for a building permit, complete the following steps:

1. Complete a Building Permit Application via iPermits portal, and a upload Deed Restrictions Declaration Form (Individual or Business Entity).
2. Pay the plan review deposit fee (25% of the total building permit fee). A receipt with the project number will be emailed to you.
3. After permit fees have been paid, you will receive an invitation to upload plans into ProjectDox.
4. Upload all required documents and drawings to ProjectDox. 
5. Complete the assigned task to finalize your plan submission.

Your building and improvement plans can be reviewed and a building permit issued within 10 business days, pending prerequisite approval. For a detailed list of steps, please refer to the EPR User guides at eServices.

Master Plan Program

The Master Plan Program is designed for builders and developers who build ten (10) or more units of the same repeat home over a 12-month period.

Download the Model Home Brochure.

• Homeowner's Guide
• Code Reference Checklist

• Procedures for Contractor Name and Address Change (CE1211)