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, Senior Assistant Director
The building code states that "All construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and all such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the building official"
Please click the type of inspection you would like to review:
Structural Inspections
All work requiring a building permit must be inspected and approved by a structural inspector before the project is finalized.
Situations in which structural inspections are required include ( but not limited to):
 Foundation inspection - To ensure the structural integrity of the foundation. - Wind storm inspection - To verify the use of wind straps.
- Frame inspection - To ensure the structural integrity of the frame.
- Energy inspection - Windows, insulation
- Final inspection - To ensure full compliance with the building code.
When do I call for a structural inspection?
Typically the general contractor completing the work will call the Structural Inspection Section to schedule the required inspections. If you have completed work under the Homeowner's Permit option, you are responsible for scheduling the structural inspections.
To schedule a structural inspection and/or for further clarification of structural inspections, please call the Structural Inspection Division at (713) 535-7800.
To speak with a Structural Inspector please cal between the hours of 7:15 a.m. and 8:15 a.m.
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Electrical Inspections
All work requiring an electrical permit must be inspected and approved by an electrical inspector before the project is finaled. Note: All electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor.
Some situations that require an electrical inspection include:
 Ditch or slab cover inspection - Wall cover inspection
- Ceiling cover inspection
- Temporary cut-in inspection
When do I call for an electrical inspection?
Typically the licensed electrical contractor completing the work will call the Electrical Inspection Section to schedule the required electrical inspections.
To schedule an electrical inspection and/or for further clarification concerning electrical inspections, plese call the Electrical Inspection Division at (713) 535-7600.
The Electrical Section fax number is:(713) 535-7901.
How to register an electrical master’s and/or contractor’s license with the City of
Houston?
To register or renew your Texas Electrical Master and Contractor’s Licenses with the City of
Houston the following documents are required:
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Driver's License or Identification
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License Registration and Update Form ( Note Notarization of form is required if another individual other than the applicant will be submitting registration form)
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Proof of current master and contractor's license issued by the State of Texas
Once you have the required documents please follow these steps:
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Complete the License Registration and Update Form.
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Registration at the Electrical Inspections Section Which is located on the 2nd floor of our office at 3300 Main St.
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Pay the fee at the Permits Section Located on the 1st floor.
Registration may be also done via fax and/or e-mail. Please contact the Electrical Inspections Section at 713-535-7600 for more information.
Fees:
- Registration and Renewals
The annual registration fee per license is $150 plus a $10 administrative fee.
- First time registrations
the fees will be prorated at $12.50 a month up to the experation date provided for each license.
Example:
John's master or contractor's license expires on October of 2007 and he registers on April of 2007.
Reg. Fee = 6 months x $12.50
The fee will be $75 plus the $10 administrative fee.
Where can I find out information about licensing?
For more information visit http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elecfaq.htm
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Mechanical Inspections
All work requiring a mechanical permit must be inspected and approved by a mechanical inspector before the project is finalized
Situations that require a mechanical inspection include:
- New commercial or residential a/c installations
- Commercial kitchen ventilation systems
- Commercial chiller replacements
- Heater installations or replacements
- Duct alterations
- Installation of central Vaccum systems
- installation of decorative gas fireplaces
- installation of commercial boilers
- installations of cooling tower
- paint spray booths
When do I call for a mechanical inspection?
Typically the mechanical contractor completing the work will call the Mechanical Inspection Section to schedule the required inspections. If you have completed work under the Homeowner's Permit option, you are responsible for scheduling the required mechanical inspections.
To schedule a mechanical inspection and/or for further clarification concerning mechanical inspections, please call the Mechanical Inspection Division at (713) 535-7755.
Click here: for Mechanical Inspection request Form for Occupied Residences.
How to register an air conditioning license with the City of
Houston?
To register or renew your air conditioning license with the City of
Houston the following documents are required:
- Texas Driver's License or Identification
- Class A or B air conditioning license
- Certificate of Insurance
Once you have the following documents please follow these steps:
- Fill out a Registration Application
- Register at the Mechanical Inspections Section which is located on the 2nd floor of our office at 3300 Main St.
- Pay the fee at the Permits Section on the 1st Floor.
All registrations are required to be done at our office. Please contact the Mechanical Inspections Section at 713-535-7755 for more information.
FEES:
Air Conditioning Registration Fee: $40
Where can I find out information about licensing?
For more information visit http://www.license.state.tx.us/acr/acr.htm
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Plumbing Inspection
All work requiring a plumbing permit must be inspected and approved by a plumbing inspector before the project is finalized.
Some situations that require a plumbing inspection include:
- Ground inspection (prior to the foundation pour).
- Rough inspection (prior to the installation of wall covering).
- Sewer inspection.
- Gas test
- Final plumbing inspection.
When do I call for a plumbing inspection?
Typically the licensed plumbing contractor completing the work will call the Plumbing Inspection Section to schedule the required inspections. If you have completed work under the Homeowner's Permit option, you are responsible for scheduling the required plumbing inspections.
To schedule a plumbing inspection and/or for further clarification concerning plumbing inspections, call the Plumbing Inspection Division at (713) 535-7700.
How to register a master plumber’s license with the City of
Houston?
To register your plumbing license with the City of
Houston the following documents are required:
Once you have the following documents please follow these steps:
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Fill out a Registration form
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Register at the Plumbing Inspections Section which is located on the 2nd floor of our office at
3300 Main St.
First time registration is required to be done at our office. Renewals may be done via fax. Please contact the Plumbing Inspections Section at 713-535-7700 for more information.
Fee:
Beginning September 1, 2009, master plumbers will no longer be required to pay a fee when registering with the City of Houston per HB 1354 which was approved in the State of Texas Legislature.
Where can I find out information about licensing?
For more information visit http://www.tsbpe.state.tx.us/index.html
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Certificates of Occupancy and Life Safety Inspections
A Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained before a commercial building or an individual lease space within a commercial building may be occupied, or if changes to an existing occupancy classification are made. If no Certificate of Occupancy is posted the owner or agent may be given a 10-day notice to make an application and pay inspection fees. If the owner or agent fails to comply, citations may be issued each day until the application is made and fees are paid.
- What types of buildings are exempt from certificates of occupancy?
Residential dwellings, residential garages, sheds, and residential carports are exempt from certificates of occupancy.
- When is a life safety certificate required?
Owners of existing buildings that were constructed before January 1, 1986 were required to submit an application to the City of Houston Code Enforcement Division for a life safety inspection before January 1, 1992. If an application was not submitted before that date, one should be submitted immediately. Existing buildings that have been annexed into the City of Houston are not exempt from life safety certificates.
Every building must meet the requirements of the building code that was enforced at the time the building was constructed and/or it must meet the requirements for Life Safety guidelines. In addition, any condition not listed in the Life Safety Appendix that is found to be unsafe, unsanitary, or hazardous must be corrected immediately. This includes the electrical, plumbing, mechanical and structural systems of the building.
- What types of buildings are exempt from life safety certificates?
If a commercial building was constructed under a permit issued by the City on or after January 1, 1986 and received a Certificate of Occupancy, it is exempt from the Life Safety Appendix.
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Contact Information
If you are uncertain about whether or not your building or lease space requires a Certificate of Occupancy or a Life Safety Certificate, please call the Occupancy Inspection Section at (713) 535-7730.
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Special inspections
Overview
In addition to inspections required by the City of Houston Building Code, Section 305, the owner, the engineer, or architect of record acting as the owner's agent shall employ one or more special inspectors who shall provide inspections during construction.
Special Inspections can be made by the engineer or architect of record or an approved agency that is registered with the City of Houston to perform special inspections.
Items that require special inspections include (but are not limited to):
- Concrete (including post tension cables)
- Ductile moment-resisting concrete frame
- Reinforcing steel and pre-stressing steel
- Welding
- High strength bolting
- Structural masonry
- Reinforced gypsum concrete
- Insulating concrete fill
- Spray-applied fire proofing
- Piling, drilled piers and caissons
- Special grading, excavation and filling
Duties of the special inspector
The special inspector shall observe the work to ascertain to the best of his knowledge and belief that it conforms to the design drawings and specifications.
The special inspector shall furnish inspection reports to the building official, the engineer or architect of record, and other designated persons. All discrepancies shall be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for correction, then to the design professional and the building official.
The special inspector shall submit a final signed report properly certified by an engineer or architect with a professional's seal embossed, stating whether the work requiring special inspection was, to the best of his knowledge, in conformance with the design professional's permitted construction plans and specifications and the applicable workmanship provision of this code.
Note: A special inspection shall be performed on any jobsite welding or high-strength bolting prior to a framing inspection. A special inspection shall also be performed on post-tension cables and submitted to building official prior to final inspection.
Approved fabricators and special inspections
An approved fabricator is a company certified by a third party agency and approved by the City of Houston to produce or fabricate primary structural components for buildings.
Structural components to be fabricated by an approved fabricator include (but are not limited to):
- Structural steel (including stairs)
- Pre-engineered metal buildings
- Pre-cast concrete
- Steel joist (bar joist)
- Structural sandwich panels for coolers and freezers
- Fabricated structural lumber products (trusses, beams, and columns)
- The fabricator's name or number must be permanently marked on each structural member. Tags shall be used on steel joists for fabricator identification.
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Multi-discipline Users Guideline
About the Multi-Discipline Inspection Program
The multi-discipline inspection program is a voluntary program for one- or two-family residential new home builders and remodelers. The program is administered by the Occupancy Inspection Section.
The objective of the program is to reduce the number of inspections during the different phases of construction.
Registering As A Member Of the Multi-Discipline Inspection Program
To become a member, obtain an Application for Voluntary Participation in Multi-Discipline Inspection from a customer service representative on the 1st floor at 3300 Main Street. Personnel will assist you in the application process.
Request a Multi-Discipline Inspection:
- Call the Occupancy Inspection Section at (713) 535-7730.
- Identify yourself as a registered member of the multi- discipline inspection program.
Note: Only the registered builder or his supervisor may call in inspections.
Requirements for an effective multi-discipline inspection
In order for the multi-discipline inspection program to be cost effective for both the city and the builder, inspections must be requested as each of the following construction phases are completed:
A. Temporary electrical sawpole, *Sewer
B. Plumbing ground, *Sewer
C. Structural foundation (waterpipe in slab, electrical conduit in slab) *Sidewalk and driveway approach, *Sewer
D. Hurricane clips/Wind straps
E. Cover: Structural frame, electrical rough-in, HVAC rough-in, Plumbing/sewer rough-in (plus initial gas test, *Sidewalk and driveway approach, *Sewer
F. Temporary electrical cut-in, Temporary gas, *Sidewalk and driveway approach, *Sewer
G Final: Structural, electrical, plumbing/gas, HVAC, *Sidewalk and driveway approach, *Sewer
*May be made on any trip
Note: Any additional inspections/reinspections (i.e. sewer, shower pan, etc.) that cannot be made during the above seven (7) trips may require an additional fee of $30.00 per inspection. The homebuilder will be responsible for the payment of any and all reinspection fees. These fees are to be paid after the final inspection and before any final release of utilities.
For more information concerning multi-discipline inspections please contact the Occupancy Inspection Section at (713) 535-7730.
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