Building in Unincorporated Harris County Starts With a Permit

A Houston mailing address may sit outside Houston city limits. In unincorporated Harris County, development needs a county permit before work starts. A site in a mapped floodplain also has added flood rules. Work can include grading, fill, paving, and new buildings.

First, find out who has control over the exact lot. A site inside a city may use that city's process. A site outside a city starts with Harris County Engineering. Give the office the address and type of work. The map and project will shape what papers you need.