City Streamlines Permitting For Residents Rebuilding After Storms

HOUSTON — Residents whose homes were damaged during the severe weather earlier this month may need to check with the city of Houston before they make any repairs.

Houston City Councilman Dave Martin, who represents the often flood-ravaged areas of Kingwood and Clear Lake, said some repairs may require permits from the city.

Martin said Wednesday that his office has been working closely with Houston Public Works Director Carol Haddock and Mayor Sylvester Turner to improve the ease of the permitting process.

There are NO PERMITS REQUIRED for:

• property is located outside the floodplain, and
• property does not require electrical, plumbing or structural repairs (flooding was below outlet plugs), and
• property owner is only replacing sheetrock, cabinets, and/or flooring.
• installation or replacement of thermostats and grills that are part of the HVAC system.
• to replace bathroom or kitchen faucets, ballcocks or water control valves, garbage disposals, or water closets.
• Properties outside the floodplain do not require finished floor elevations, elevation certificates or FEMA flood-proofing (only allowable for commercial) certificates.

If none of those apply, officials said there’s a chance you may need a permit. Construction permits can be obtained from the Houston Permitting Center.

For homes located in the floodplain, you must contact the Floodplain Management Office prior to making any repairs at (832) 394-8854.

For information on flood damage repair requirements, visit floodplain.houstontx.gov. The City of Houston's interactive mapping system can help residents find their estimated Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or 500 year flood elevation for their property online here (must use internet explorer), instructions to navigate this site can be found here.

Property owners located in the floodplain can request the City to perform a Substantial Damage Estimate to ensure the structure is not substantially damaged by clicking here. Substantially damaged properties usually take on more than two to three feet of water during flooding events.

State law REQUIRES PERMITS for:

• Permits are required for electrical work to be completed by a licensed electrical contractor. For questions, contact Electrical Inspections at (832) 394-8860.
• Permits are required for all other mechanical work. For mechanical related questions, contact Mechanical Inspections at (832) 394-8850.
• Permits are required for some plumbing work, including sinks. For plumbing related questions, contact Plumbing Inspections at (832) 394-8870.

The Houston Permitting Center Main Office is located at 1002 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas, 77002 and is open Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The floodplain permit application is available in person at this office location, as well as online.

Applications can be routed from the Kingwood and Clear Lake Satellite permitting offices to the Main Office for customers not wanting to drive, but the process will be greatly expedited if the customers are informed beforehand of the Flood Department's requirements and expectations.

• Kingwood Satellite Office at 3915 Rustic Woods, Kingwood, Texas 77339, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Clear Lake Satellite Office at 1335 Regents Park Drive, Suite 130, Houston, Texas 77058, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If your property does require permits (electrical, plumbing, or structural), the satellite offices will work the applications as they are received without placing them in Citywide queue.

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