Frequently Asked Questions

A permit is required prior to beginning work. Even painting and small cosmetic projects generally require a floodplain development permit. 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.

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. 

Yes

Only a floodplain development 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.

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

No permit other than a floodplain development permit is required to paint a house.

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.

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

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

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

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.

The cut off time to request an inspection for the next business day is 3 p.m. Requests received after 3 p.m. will be scheduled for the following business day. 

• 2024 International Building Code (IBC)
• 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
• 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
• 2024 International Fire Code (IFC)
• 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
• 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
• 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)
• 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
• 2024 International Residential Code (IRC)
• 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC)

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Yes, Bellaire is a zoned community.

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.

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

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.

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 713-662-8240 or zoning@bellairetx.gov.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

Yes, and it applies to construction-related situations that would require a tree disposition permit as well as existing, protected trees where construction is not ongoing. You can refer to Chapter 9, Article XI of the City's Code of Ordinances for more information.

A tree permit is required for removal of, or damage to, any protected tree.

Protected tree means:

(1)    A significant tree anywhere in the city;

(2)    A large tree, excluding low-value trees, located within any of the following:

          a.    A front yard;

          b.    A street side yard (of corner sites); or

          c.    A right-of-way area; and

(3)    When there is a permit in effect for development or pre-development activity on any subject site, "protected tree" includes all large trees located on that subject site.

Significant tree means a large tree with a diameter of 12 inches or more. In case a tree is removed, it is presumed to have been a significant tree if the diameter of the stump is 12 inches or greater, measured in any direction (also see definition of large tree).

Large tree means a tree with a diameter of six inches or more. In case a tree is removed, it is presumed to have been a large tree if the diameter of the stump is six inches or greater, measured in any direction.

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.

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.

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.