Articles

Starting Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, the Office of the City Engineer's Construction Services team will no longer schedule same-day inspections for sidewalks and driveways via the phone line. Instead, inspection requests will be scheduled for the next business day. Customers can choose a morning or…
As a reminder, the previous GIMS system has been retired and replaced with GeoLink Hub. The Street Cut Permit System and Moblity Permit System have been moved to GeoLink Hub. Previously registered GIMS users were transferred to the new system, including user names, passwords, and permit history. …
Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, the Office of the City Engineer's Stormwater Drainage group will move to Microsoft Bookings for appointment scheduling. Online appointments will be available to discuss plan comments for Stormwater quality permits, public right-of-way (ROW) projects and BCE (…
The Office of the City Engineer will change the Storm Drainage group's walk-in service from in-person to virtual in an attempt to increase the use of the service by customers. Beginning on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, a walk-in review can be requested by emailing [email protected]. Include…
The 2015 Code Words were recently updated to include a new Code Word. 2015-P12 provides policies for the use of ProVent and SoVent plumbing systems. Please replace any previously saved files.
The 2015 Code Words were recently updated on Dec. 9, 2022 with the following changes: B34 – This new code word provides policy and guidelines for relocated/moved buildings. R04 – This code word was updated to include clarification on fire separation and rating requirements for residential stairs…
UPDATE: As of 7:30 pm, all network services have been restored.  As of 4 pm, the network is running on a backup system. Some groups may experience latency issues or intermittent outages. At approximately 1:30 pm today (Dec. 6), the network went out at the building. IT is still assessing the issue…
On Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, the Houston Permitting Center will switch online payment portals from PayConnexion to Paymentus. To facilitate the switch, online payments through credit/debit card and e-check will be suspended beginning at 8 pm on Jan. 30 until midnight on Feb. 1. During this time,…
Effective Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, private detention, restrictor design, and calculations must be provided on plans submitted through Building Code Enforcement's private plan review process in lieu of a separate plan submission through the Office of City Engineer. When submitting storm drawings to…
The Construction Code Modernization (CCM) project is now underway. Over a 5-month period, the CCM project team will gather public input on the International Code Council’s family of 2021 I-Codes. Task Force Group 1: Building & Fire Codes Public comments are no longer available for the…
In accordance with City policy, most permit, license, and registration fees will increase by 2.662727% effective January 1, 2023. This percentage is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The new administrative fee will be $31.32 The new minimum fee for most Building Code Enforcement permits…
Taps & Meters section will roll out a new online application for Transient Meters starting Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. The new online application is Easy to use Mobile-friendly and responsive to most display sizes Able to accept documents uploads up to 10 MB Dynamic and prompts customers to…
The City of Houston is about to begin engaging stakeholders in the City’s Construction Code Modernization (CCM) project, designed to build a resilient and sustainable City that can shield us from future shocks and stressors to keep Houstonians safe, healthy, and strong. Mayor Turner turned to…
Building Code Enforcement's Plan Review section is joining our pilot of a new appointment booking program called Microsoft Bookings. The pilot started with the Office of the City Engineer's Public Utilities and Permits section earlier this summer.  BCE Plan Review will offer online appointments to…
Effective Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, when an Occupancy inspector returns to a site after a 15-day notice has been issued to a business owner, an investigation fee will be assessed in addition to any citations for violations found at the site.  For questions about this change, please contact Occupancy…
The Houston Permitting Center will be closed on the following days: 2023 Friday, Nov. 10, for Veterans Day Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23-24, for the Thanksgiving holidays Friday and Monday, Dec. 22 and 25, for the Christmas holidays 2024 Monday, Jan. 1, for New Year's Day Monday, Jan. 15, for…
The Applied Technology Council (ATC) announced that with the release of ASCE 7-22, it will no longer update its Hazard by Location website to support the calculation of design loads for future editions of national codes and standards.  The City of Houston 2015 Construction Code does not reference…
We are pleased to announce Drainage Plan for Plat is going electronic. Effective December 10, 2022, electric submittal will be required. Submittal Instructions:  The applicant shall submit Drainage Plan for Plat (the Plan) in accordance with IDM Chapter 4 – Platting Requirements and Ordinance Sec…
We are pleased to announce that the 2015 Code Words have been updated on Oct. 17, 2022. Please download and replace any previously saved file. The revised items are: B31 – Temporary (Modular) Buildings (A reissue from 2012 Code Words) B32 – Plumbing Fixture Count Interpretation (A reissue from…
Effective Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, Building Code Enforcement will require a narrative to be uploaded to the Applicant Responses folder in ProjectDox for revisions. The narrative should explain what the revision is for and how it changes the original plans This change will help Plan Review reduce…