The Engineering Services Group processes Easement Encroachment Applications, performs Wastewater Capacity High Impact reviews and responses. Manages the issuance of oil and gas permits and perform duties in conjuction to the Joint Referral Committee to process Easement Reverter requests.
1002 Washington Ave., 3rd Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Helpful links
What is a Consent to Encroachment Application?
Submitting and approval?
How do I Submit an Easement Encroachment?
You will need to provide:
• Complete Easement Encroachment Application
• Instructions for completing the Consent to Encroachment Over City Easement
• Original Instrument if applicable
• Consent to Encroachment original document required
• Deed (If applicable)
• Survey, site plan
• For Signs: Complete dimension drawings.
Chapter 10, Article II Code of Ordinances, City of Houston, Tx
(Information pulled from) https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/hpwua1008#about-
statutory-authority
What is an Easement Reverter?
When do I Submit an Easement Reverter Application?
How do I Submit an Easement Reverter Application?
You will need to provide:
Infrastructure Plan Review
Joint Referral Committee (JRC)
a. Developing and selling property for residential or commercial building projects often requires
the relocation of City facilities, including street right-of-way and underground utilities, or
approval of encroachments into streets or alleys. In the City of Houston, such requests are
processed by the Joint Referral Committee (JRC), which consists of representatives of the following
departments:
i. Houston Public Works: City Engineer (Utilities, ROW/Traffic), Utility Analysis, Real Estate
Services (coordinates as Chair for Houston Public Works Director), Transportation and Drainage
Operations
ii. Planning and Development
iii. Legal
iv. Fire
v. Police
b. The JRC reviews all abandonment and encroachment requests to ensure continued mobility and
adequate access to our water, wastewater, and storm sewer utilities. The work of the JRC is part of
the important balance between facilitating growth and development, while safeguarding the City's
ability to efficiently provide services to ratepayers and taxpayers.
c. The various transaction types available for processing through the JRC, and their respective
descriptions, are referenced below. Please read the descriptions carefully to determine the type of
transaction required to accomplish your goal, as selecting the wrong transaction will delay the
process.
d. If you need assistance, please (832) 395-3122 to discuss your inquiry
e. To ensure prompt processing of your application, please follow all instructions attached to
each application.
f. Applications are accepted every Thursday, from 9am to 12 pm, on the 19th floor of the Bob
Lanier Public Works Building, 611 Walker. Accepted applications will
normally be placed on the JRC’s Agenda for discussion on the second Tuesday
following the application submittal and acceptance date.
See website for further information:
https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/joint-referral-committee
Oil and Gas Well Permit
What is a well?
When Do I Submit a Permit for Oil and Gas Wells?
How do Submit a drilling Permit for Oil and Gas wells?
You will need to provide:
1. Complete drilling Permit for Oil and Gas
2. The date of the application.
3. The name and address of the applicant and, if the applicant is a corporation, the state of
incorporation, and if applicant is a partnership, the names and addresses of the general partners.
4. The number of the drilling unit, the particular lot and block number or tract in the drilling
unit on which the proposed well is to be located and the exact location of the proposed well by
Lambert Coordinates.
5. The type of the well, whether oil or gas, and the proposed depth
of the well.
6. The proposed complete casing program of the well.
7. The exact and correct number of square feet in the drilling unit over which the applicant
8. A plat prepared by a duly licensed surveyor showing
9. the exact location of the proposed well with respect to the drilling unit boundaries and with
respect to the boundaries of the lot or block on which the applicant has secured the rights from
the owner to drill.
10. designation of lots, blocks, or tracts owned or controlled by the applicant within the drilling
unit, and
11. the distances from the well location to all parks, streets, alleys or other public property,
residences, commercial buildings and structures situated within 400 feet of the well location.
12. A copy of Railroad Commission Form 1.
iii. Each application shall be accompanied by the filing fee stated for this provision in the
city fee schedule made payable to the City of Houston
iv. Please allow for 10 business days for the request to be completed. Please direct all
questions to 832-394-8996 or [email protected]
d. After Approval
i. Drilling shall begin within 90 days from the date of the permit, or the permit shall be
forfeited; provided, however, such forfeiture shall not affect the right of the applicant to apply
for another permit.
e. Statutory Authority Chapter 31
https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=C OOR_CH31OIGAWE
Texas Administrative Code Section 1-69 https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.viewtac
Texas Administration Code Section 1-206 https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.viewtac
Auxiliary Duties
Forms
Ordinances
Encroachment:
Oil and Gas Statutory Authority:
▪ Chapter 31 of Houston Code of Ordinances "Oil and Gas Wells"
▪ Texas Administrative Code Section 1 - 69
▪ Chapter 23 of Houston Code of Ordinances "Lake Houston"
▪ Texas Administrative Code Section 1 - 206
Related Departments:
Impact Fee Administration
Click the link(s) below.
