Harris County Commercial Permit Fees & Rules
Official municipal fee schedule estimator, mandatory contractor bond requirements, and plan review SLAs for commercial construction in Harris County, Texas.
- Enforcing Department
- Harris County Engineering Department & Houston Permitting Center
- Governing Ordinance
- Harris County Commissioners Court Fee Schedule (Ord. 2025-04)
- Plan Review SLA
- 10 - 15 Business Days
- Surety Bond Min
- $10,000
Harris County Commercial Permit Fee Estimator
Tier Valuation Formula: $1,665 base fee + $3.80 per $1,000 above $250,000 valuation.
Mandatory Contractor Prerequisites & Submittal Checklist
Harris County AHJ RequirementsContractor Surety License Bond
Harris County requires an active $10,000 Right-of-Way & Commercial Contractor Surety Bond on file prior to plan submittal.
Commercial COI Liability ($1M+)
Minimum $1.0M General Liability COI naming Harris County Building Dept as Certificate Holder.
🏛️ Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
Verified Government Contact📋 Required Commercial Submittal Checklist
To prevent plan check rejections in Harris County, commercial permit applications must include the following stamped documentation:
- ✓ Architectural Blueprints & Site Plan (Stamped by Texas Registered Architect)
- ✓ Structural Engineering Calculations & Foundation Details (Stamped PE)
- ✓ MEP Single-Line Electrical & Mechanical Load Calculations
- ✓ Proof of $10,000 Right-of-Way & Commercial Contractor Surety Bond
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Harris County)
Ordinance VerifiedWhat model building code does Harris County enforce in 2026? ▼
Harris County enforces the Requires 2024 IBC wind-load engineering compliance (110 mph design wind speed) and Harris County Floodplain Management Regulations Section 4. in accordance with Harris County Commissioners Court Fee Schedule (Ord. 2025-04).
How long does commercial plan review take in Harris County? ▼
Commercial plan review in Harris County typically takes 10 - 15 Business Days depending on project valuation and submittal completeness.
Is a contractor surety bond required for permits in Harris County? ▼
Yes. Harris County requires a mandatory $10,000 Right-of-Way & Commercial Contractor Surety Bond prior to permit issuance.
Harris County Engineering Department & Houston Permitting Center
10555 Northwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77092