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Development Services - Permits, Code Enforcement, Zoning

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1. When is a permit needed to do work or have work done at my property?

With the exception of painting and small cosmetic projects, a permit is required prior to beginning work. If you are not sure about whether or not you need a permit, please call the Permitting Office at 713-662-8230 or send an email to inspections@bellairetx.gov.

2. How much do permits cost?

Permit costs depend on a variety of factors. Please review the department fee schedule to get an idea and verify the cost of each permit with the Permit Department. They can be reached at 713-662-8230 or send an e-mail to inspections@bellairetx.gov. 

3. Do you take credit cards for permits and registration?

Yes

4. Do I need a permit to repair or replace a fence?

Yes, a permit is required to repair or replace a fence. A survey of your property is required along with a permit application which you can submit via the SmartGov portal. You may refer to Sec. 24-512 for regulations on fences.

5. Do I need a permit to replace windows and window frames?

Yes, a permit is required to replace windows and window frames. 

6. Do I need a permit to paint my house?

No, a permit is not required to paint a house.

7. Even if I do the work myself do I still need a permit?

Yes. Homeowners may get a "Homeowners Building Permit" only if your home is listed under Harris County Appraisal District as your homestead to repair a roof or remodel the house. A copy of the declarations page of the homeowner's insurance will also be required.

8. Does my company need to have valid insurance before they can do any work in the City of Bellaire?

Yes. A minimum of $300,000 of general liability insurance is required to be able to do any type of work within the city.

9. Can I get a permit application form online?

Yes. Permit applications are available online via the SmartGov portal. 

10. Can I get a registration form on the website?

Yes. Registration forms are available online via the SmartGov portal. 

11. How do I schedule an inspection for my construction project?

All inspection requests are to be made online at https://ci-bellaire-tx.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home. If you are having trouble scheduling an inspection online, please call the Development Services front desk staff at 713-662-8230.

12. When is the cut off time to request an inspection?

The cut off time to request an inspection for the next business day is 2 p.m. Requests received after 2 p.m. will be scheduled for the following business day. 

13. Which building and trade codes does the City use?

• 2018 International Building Code
• 2018 International Residential Code
• 2018 International Mechanical Code
• 2018 International Plumbing Code
• 2018 International Fuel Gas Code
• 2018 International Fire Code
• 2018 International Energy Conservation Code
• 2018 Internation Swimming Pool, Spa Code
• 2017 National Electrical Code

14. What standards does the City have for residential construction sites?

Residential construction sites must maintain several items at all times. These items include perimeter fencing, silt fencing, a metal roll-off trash container, and one (1) sign with the name of the builder and the site address (with an area no greater than eight (8) square feet). If a site is not maintaining these items, please report it to the Building Official via SeeClickFix. You may also call 713-662-8232 or email buildingofficial@bellairetx.gov.

15. Can I bring in dirt to raise the level of my lot?

The City has an ordinance limiting the amount of fill that can be added to a lot. No more than a 1% slope from the back of the curb or 8” of dirt may be brought in. For more information, contact the Building Official at 713-662-8232 or e-mail buildingofficial@bellairetx.gov. 

16. Do I need a permit to have a garage sale?

Yes, a permit is required to have a garage or estate sale and be obtained by completing the Garage & Estate Application and providing a driver's license or utility bill. The application can be obtained through the SmartGov portal. Each residence shall be allowed two garage or estate sales per calendar year. Please refer to Chapter 15 of the Code of Ordinances for Garage and Estate Sale regulations. 

17. When do new residential homes require fire sprinklers?

Any residence with living space above the 2^nd story will require an automatic fire sprinkler system. In addition, some homes may require fire sprinklers if the distance from the driveway to the rear of the building exceeds 150 feet. The Fire Marshal will review any application to determine if a fire sprinkler system is required which will then require a permit which can be accessed via the SmartGov portal. Please contact the Building Official for more information at 713-662-8232 or e-mail buildingofficial@bellairetx.gov.

18. What is an elevation certificate or a FEMA certificate and where do I get one?

An elevation certificate is a Federal Form used to certify the finished floor elevation of a house or garage. If one exists in the City records, you may request a copy from by submitting a public information request to the City Clerk. If one is not available, you can contract with a Texas Registered surveyor and they will provide one for you.

19. How can I find out what flood zone my property is located in and what does the designation mean?

An elevation certificate can identify your flood zone. If you do not have one, you can see what flood zone your property is by using FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer Viewer.  Type in your address and the interactive map will produce a colored overlay to identify the flood zone. Blue is Zone AE, the 100-year flood zone, and orange is Zone X, the 500-year flood zone.

If you require further assistance, please contact the Development Services Department at 713-662-8230 or the Harris County Flood Control Office at 713-684-4000. The flood plain maps are also available through the Harris County Flood Control's website at www.hcfcd.org.

20. Is Bellaire zoned?

Yes, Bellaire is a zoned community.

21. What does it mean to be zoned?

Zoning is the way governments control the physical development of land and the kinds of uses for which each individual property may be used. Zoning laws typically specify the areas in which residential, industrial, recreational or commercial activities take place. For example, an R-1 residential zone allows only single-family detached homes to be built in its district. On the other hand, the UV-D zone provides for a mix of commercial, office, civic and entertainment uses.

22. Are Deed Restrictions part of zoning?

No, the City of Bellaire does not enforce deed restrictions.

23. If I have deed restrictions, where would I get a copy of them?

You will need to visit the Harris County Clerk's Office. You can check their website for information on locations, phone numbers, and hours of operation. You will need to take the legal description of your property with you, and that can be obtained by visiting the Harris County Appraisal District's website at www.hcad.org.

24. Where can I find out what my setbacks are?

You will first need to know what your Zoning District designation is which can be looked up on the City's zoning map. Once you know that, you can refer to the setback sheet or Chapter 24 of City's Code of Ordinances. If you have questions or need clarification, please feel free to contact the Development Services Office at 713-662-8230 or inspections@bellairetx.gov.

25. What is a plat?

A document, which may include a graphic description of a tract of land by metes and bounds, giving dimensions of all easements, setbacks, subdivision names, streets, alleys, squares, parks, other public areas, and giving dimensions of all lots or tracts contained therein, pursuant to the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 212, Municipal Regulation of Subdivisions and Property Development and/or the City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances. A plat is a survey that contains all of the above information on a particular piece of land or subdivision.

26. What is an amended plat?

A plat on which a lot line separating two individual lots has been removed through a legal process, combining the two original lots into one larger lot. The address of the lot that was taken in to the other will be stricken from the legal records once the amended plat has been filed and recorded by the Harris County Clerk's Office.

27. Under what circumstances would I want or need to amend my plat?

1. When you want to build a structure on two separate but adjacent lots;
2. When you buy the lot next door and want to combine it with your existing property or;
3. When you buy the lot next door and want to put an accessory structure on it (i.e. pool, pool house, garage, etc.)

28. What is a replat?

A proposed modification of an existing plat, typically increasing the number of lots, pursuant to the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 212, Municipal Regulations of Subdivisions and Property Development and/or the City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances. A replat may not amend or remove existing covenants or Deed Restrictions.

29. When do I need a Certificate of Occupancy?

A Certificate of Occupancy is required prior to the occupancy of a new construction house, or a house that is being leased. The occupant or the seller/landlord must come to the Development Services Office and apply for a certificate of occupancy. Commercial properties also require a Certificate of Occupancy and for each tenant within, if applicable. The application for residential and commercial certificates of occupancy can be found online via the SmartGov portal. 

30. I just bought a new boat. Can I store it in the front of my house or in my driveway?

You may not store it in front of the house, or even in the driveway, unless it is behind the front building line. Please refer to the City's Code of Ordinances for more information or contact the Code Compliance Officer, Linda Barbour, at 713-662-8237 or e-mail: lbarbour@bellairetx.gov.

31. Who can I contact regarding tall grass and junked and/or abandoned property?

Please use SeeClickFix to report a concern. 

For more urgent matters, you may also contact the City's Code Compliance Officer at 713-662-8237 or lbarbour@bellairetx.gov to report the problem. Please leave detailed information and your name and contact numbers so the Code Compliance Officer can be in touch if there are questions regarding your concern. 

32. I own a lot in a residential section of Bellaire and I own a small business that needs an office. May I use the house and/or property as an office/business only?

No. The City's Zoning Regulations prevent a building located in a residential district from being used strictly as a business or an office. A room in the home or garage may be used as an office as long as the owner of the business is living in the house. Under all circumstances, the zoning regulations are meant to preserve the integrity of the residential neighborhood.

33. Does the City have a Tree Ordinance?

Yes, and it applies to construction-related situations that would require a tree disposition permit. You can refer to Chapter 9, Article XI of the City's Code of Ordinances for more information.

34. Do I need a permit to remove my tree?

If the property is undergoing new construction, remodeling, demolition or lot clearing, you must obtain a tree removal permit which can be obtained via the SmartGov portal. It is required for:

1. The removal of a tree on residential, commercial, or institutional property with a caliper (tree trunk diameter) greater than or equal to four inches, and;
2. The removal of a tree of a variety other than a designated "undesirable tree".

If a permit is not required, it is important that your contractor checks for utility lines before digging. You'll also want to make sure your tree contractor hauls away the debris; the City will not collect it. If the tree is "shared", a discussion should be conducted with the other property owner to ensure this is an agreed upon action on both property owners' lots.

35. I would like to install a sign at my business; do I need a permit?

Yes. Bellaire has a strict sign code, and most signs require prior approval and permit for installation. The application for a sign permit is available online via the SmartGov portal. For more information, call the City's Development Review Coordinator at 713-662-8240 or email malejos@bellairetx.gov.

36. We are hosting a big event at our business location. Can we have an inflatable balloon on top of the building or in the parking lot to advertise?

No. Such types of signs are prohibited within the Bellaire City limits. To view all prohibited signs, refer to Sec. 24-1008 of the City's Code of Ordinances.

37. Does my caterer/food truck need a food dealer's permit for private event?

No, as long as your caterer/food truck only serve the people at your party. Members of the public are not allowed to walk up and order food.