City of Houston Expedites Permitting Process After Damaging Storm

May 23, 2024

HOUSTON - The City of Houston is improving services for residents who experienced severe property damage from last week’s derecho. The Houston Permitting Center and the Planning and Development Department are expediting the permitting and plan review process. The accelerated services will help the community repair their homes and properties without delays.

The following expedited permits will restore structures to their original footprint:

• Weatherheads for restoring power to a home or property. Not all properties require these devices.


• Roof repairs for re-roofing and roof overlays.


• Minor Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) repairs

Those seeking permits should ensure the repairs comply with their neighborhood’s deed restrictions.

Customers can help ensure the efficiency of the process by submitting permit applications through iPermits and contacting the permitting section to provide their eight-digit project number and project address.

Not all structural repairs require permits. Customers can perform the following work without permits:

• Tarping.


• Replacing wooden and metal fences less than 8-feet-high.


• Painting, replacing tiles, cabinets, counter tops and similar finishing work.


• Replacing drywall or sheetrock that is not part of fire-rated assembly and does not exceed an aggregate of 100 square feet.


• Replacing exterior wood fascia, trim and soffits that do not exceed an aggregate of 128 square feet.


• Roof covering that does not exceed an aggregate of 100 square feet.

Customers can find more information on storm damage repairs and repair work exempt from permitting on the Houston Permitting Center website, phone at 832.394.8899 or by email.