Building permits in Houston, TX
Permits for Houston are issued by Houston Permitting Center, Houston Public Works. Applications go through the portal below.
Where to file
- Department
- Houston Permitting Center, Houston Public Works
- Phone
- (832) 394-9494
- Portal
- permits.houstontx.gov
Apply, pay, and schedule inspections via the Houston Permit Portal (24/7). Residential remodel plan review: 713-535-7550.
What each job needs in Houston
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with Houston Permitting Center before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in Texas
Texas has no statewide general-contractor license. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC require state licenses (TDLR). Cities may require contractor registration + permits locally.
Issued by Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) — trades; city building departments · Verify a licence
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Other Texas jurisdictions
All Texas jurisdictionsDepartment, portal and phone are from the jurisdiction's published information and have not been re-checked recently. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.