In Roma, even a big shed or an attached carport needs a permit

The historic river town of Roma keeps a fairly tight permit net for a place its size. You'll need a building permit to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the use of a structure, and the list of smaller triggers surprises a lot of people. A storage shed of 200 square feet or more, a porch or carport that's attached or within five feet of the house, a garage conversion, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mobile-home placement, masonry walls over 42 inches, even work on a city sidewalk all want a permit first.

Two extra layers come up around businesses. Any food-handling place has to clear a city Health Department permit, that's 956-849-1411, and every commercial building permit also needs sign-off from the Fire Marshal at 956-849-1770.

Completed applications and payment go to City Hall at 201 W. Convent Blvd. Make a quick call before you start: a permit pulled ahead of a weekend project beats a stop-work order on Monday.