Do I need a building permit?

You need a permit for all work done to the envelope of the home:

  • roofing
  • siding
  • windows
  • exterior doors
  • under home enclosures/louvered enclosure
  • new decks
  • deck extensions
  • deck repairs including deck boards and railing, stringers
  • piling replacement
  • stringer or floor joist replacement
  • stair and ramps (including replacements)
  • driveways, driveway maintenance, lot leveling if in the jurisdiction of the GLO
  • fill work if in the jurisdiction of the GLO or Wetlands
  • demolition of structures
  • fences on beachfront lots or lots where dunes might be impacted
  • home additions
  • new homes

This is not an exhaustive list. If you have any questions, please contact the Building Official at (979) 233-1531, x102

The products used for the envelope of the home will need to be a windstorm approved product and the installation will have to be inspected by either the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Angleton Office which is a free inspection. Or, you will need to hire a Texas Certified Windstorm Engineer to perform your windstorm inspections. TDI or your windstorm engineer can help you with product selection. We will need a completed Remodel/Addition permit application and a WPI-1. TDI will post the WPI-1 online and the windstorm engineers will need to email the WPI-1 to the Building Official directly. 

What documentation do I need for a permit?If you are building a new home you will need the following:

  • appropriate building permit application for new construction based upon location of property (beachfront/non-beachfront) with Geographical ID for lot

  • certified windstorm engineered house plans

  • initial elevation certificate

  • WPI-1 (Application for Windstorm Certificate of Compliance) [If you need help obtaining a WPI-1 for Windstorm Inspection, feel free to call the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Angleton Office at 800-248-6032, option 4, then option 3; or you may hire a Texas Certified Windstorm Engineer.]

  • surveyed site plan (indicate distance to line of vegetation (LOV) if beachfront)

  • Texas General Land Office review (for beachfront applications); this review takes ten (10) working days. The Building Official will submit your application to the GLO for you.

  • signed, original, on-site sewage facility design

  • paid septic fee

  • paid water tap

  • paid sewer tap (southwest side of Highway 332 only)

  • multiple photos of vacant lot (beachfront)

Before we can issue a Certificate of Occupancy for your new home, we need:

  • COO Safety inspection by Building Department

  • final elevation certificate

  • WPI-8 (windstorm)

If you are doing remodel/addition work or repairs, you will need:

  • appropriate building permit application for remodel/addition based on location of property (beachfront/non-beachfront) with Geographical ID for property

  • house plans or sketch

  • WPI-1 (application for Windstorm Certificate of Compliance) [If you need help obtaining a WPI-1 for Windstorm Inspection, feel free to call the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Angleton Office at 800-248-6032, option 4, then option 3; or you may hire a Texas Certified Windstorm Engineer.]

  • surveyed site plan

  • Texas General Land Office review (for beachfront applications); this review takes ten (10) working days. The Building Official will submit your application to the GLO for you. 

Is There Minimum Square Footage for a New Home?
Yes, the minimum square footage for new home is 800 square feet.

Are there typical setbacks for a home?
Yes.  There are:

  • 25 feet on the front

  • 5 feet on each side

  • 10 feet on the back

Covered decks are subject to these setbacks.

What about allowing for parking for a new home?
The minimum required parking area is one parking space per 300 square feet of living area.