Compare Regulations
Compare city/county requirements side-by-side (up to 4 jurisdictions)
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Compare city/county requirements side-by-side (up to 4 jurisdictions)
Rows with an amber indicator differ across selections.
| Field | Local City of Houston / Harris County Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) for drainage design; City of Houston PWE for right-of-way and detention |
|---|---|
| Permit | |
| Permit / Authorization | Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) Permit + City of Houston Drainage Permit |
| Submit To | Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) for drainage design; City of Houston PWE for right-of-way and detention |
| Lead Time | Drainage design review: 4–8 weeks typical; Harris County review for HCFCD-regulated channels can take 6–12 weeks |
| Application Method | City: ProjectDox online plan review portal (houston.permitsmarts.com); HCFCD: paper submittals to HCFCD offices |
| Fee | City of Houston drainage permit fee based on project type; HCFCD review fee varies by project complexity (typically $500–$5,000+) |
| Water Quality | |
| Impervious Cover Limit | No citywide impervious cover cap (Houston has no traditional zoning); however, detention required for any net increase in runoff |
| On-Site Treatment Required | Yes |
| Detention Required | Yes — Detention required for net increase in impervious cover; flat rate of ~0.80 ac-ft/ac for sites < 20 acres (2025 IDM); larger projects follow Harris County Flood Control criteria starting at 0.65 ac-ft/ac. Post-Harvey requirements (2018–2020+) significantly strengthened; many areas require 500-year storm attenuation. |
| Turbidity / Discharge Standard | No local numeric NTU limit; TCEQ TXR150000 narrative standard applies. IDM Chapter 13 requires a Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) identifying site pollutants with on-site BMPs designed to remove them (10-minute residence time, max 48-hour ponding, ≥ 3 inches freeboard). Bioretention/LID facilities allowed where soils permit; underdrains required in clay-heavy soils. |
| SWPPP | |
| SWPPP / Local Plan Required | Yes — Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) per TCEQ; City requires ESC notes on grading plans |
| PE Stamp Required | Yes |
| Inspections | |
| Inspection Requirements | City of Houston PWE inspects drainage and grading installations. HCFCD inspects permitted work within or adjacent to HCFCD-maintained channels. Construction inspections required before final certificate of occupancy. |
| Inspector Qualification | PE-of-record responsible for drainage design compliance; no additional city-specific inspector certification required beyond TCEQ |
| Design & Zones | |
| Local Design Manual | Harris County Flood Control District Policy, Criteria and Procedure Manual (PCPM) + City of Houston Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) |
| Special Overlay Zones | FEMA Floodway / Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) Channel Setback, Subsidence-Affected Area |