Harris County

A city address is usually permitted by the city, not the county — but not always, and some authorities keep building and hand electrical to someone else. Getting this wrong costs the whole submittal, because every requirement below belongs to whoever actually holds jurisdiction. Check the overlays in the same pass: an HOA, a historic district, a windstorm certification or a system-size cap can reshape the design, and all of them are cheaper to find now than after the array is laid out.

• Is this authority the AHJ for residential solar at this address? No — not for residential rooftop PV. Harris County is not the AHJ for building, electrical or fire review of a one- or two-family dwelling. It is the AHJ for floodplain/development permitting, OSSF, ROW driveways, water wells and pools, and is the fire-code AHJ for commercial/public buildings and 4+ unit multifamily only. 88% · adopted fire code (PDF, extracted with pdftotext -layout)
• What does this authority permit itself, and what does it delegate? Delegated. Neither building nor electrical for one- and two-family dwellings — residential building code is deferred to the State of Texas (LGC ch. 233 Subchapter F). The county permits itself: floodplain/residential development, OSSF/septic, driveways and culverts in ROW, water wells, pools, fill, platting, site development, signs, and fire-code construction permits for commercial/public/4+ multifamily buildings. 85% · department permit-type index + adopted fire code
• Is a permit required for a residential rooftop PV system? No solar/PV permit exists in Harris County. There is no PV entry among the 48 permit types, none in the fee schedule's residential section, and none in the document repository. The residual question is whether a rooftop retrofit is caught by the general rule: FPMR §4.01 says 'All development within the unincorporated areas of Harris County without first securing a permit is prohibited', and the county's Residential Permits flyer lists 'Improvements, defined as — Renovations/Additions/Rehabilitations/Repairs to existing structures' as qualifying for a residential permit. Against that: FPMR §2.43 defines 'Structure' as a walled and/or roofed building or a gas/liquid storage tank, which a rooftop array is not; FPMR §2.14 'Development' reaches 'buildings or other structures, Substantial Improvements to existing buildings or structures'; and §2.45 sets Substantial Improvement at ≥50% of the HCAD structure value, which residential PV will not reach. On the county's own definitions a rooftop PV retrofit does not trigger a permit — but the county nowhere says so, and the Residential Group (713-274-3920) is the place to get that in writing. 62% · floodplain management regulations (amended 29 Aug 2023, effective 1 Sep 2023) + residential permits flyer
• Is there a separate electrical permit, or is it combined? Neither — Harris County issues no electrical permit of any kind, separate or combined. 85% · fee schedule effective 10/01/2025 (PDF, extracted with pdftotext -layout)
• Is a wind or windstorm certification required? No windstorm certification is required by Harris County for a residential rooftop PV retrofit. The county's only wind provision is in the Floodplain Management Regulations: structures shall be designed to withstand a three-second gust basic wind speed of 120 mph (130 mph for certain enclosed spaces below the flood elevation). Codeword CW 1801-001 (issued 24 Jan 2018) clarifies that those speeds are ASCE 7-05 values and gives a conversion table to ASCE 7-10 (120→152/163, 130→164/174, 140→177/190 mph for Risk Category I-II / III-IV); alternate design provisions may be submitted subject to County Engineer approval. 70% · floodplain regulations codeword CW 1801-001 + Floodplain Management Regulations
• Is a Specific Use Permit or Council approval ever required? No. There is no Specific Use Permit, use permit, zoning permit or Commissioners Court approval among the county's 48 permit types; unincorporated Harris County regulates development through floodplain, ROW, platting, OSSF and fire code instruments, not land use. 60% · department permit-type index

Several authorities require the electrical permit to be pulled by a licensed electrician, or require the contractor to be registered with them BEFORE applying. Registration is not same-day. This is second on the list rather than fourth because it is the step most likely to stop the job before the drawings matter.

• Who is allowed to pull the electrical permit? Not applicable — there is no county electrical permit to pull. The county names licensed trades only for septic (a licensed installer must call in the inspection) and for sealed drawings (Texas-licensed engineer or architect). 78% · department permit page
• Must the contractor be registered with this authority before applying? No general contractor registration is published for residential permits. The only credentials the county requires by name are a licensed septic installer (OSSF) and a Texas-licensed engineer or architect for sealed foundation/drainage drawings. 65% · department permit-type index

Almost everywhere wants a site plan, a one-line or three-line electrical diagram, equipment cut sheets with listings, and a structural attachment detail. Build it against the published checklist rather than the last jurisdiction you worked in — the checklist is what the reviewer marks against.

• What documents make up a complete submittal? For a residential development permit (the only residential route that exists): a completed residential application with a valid address and HCAD account number; a site plan; for an 'Improvement' a floor plan showing overall dimensions of improved areas, a detailed scope of work, and the construction cost including all labour and materials; and, if in a Special Flood Hazard Area, a foundation drawing sealed by a Texas-licensed engineer or architect, or an Elevation Certificate. There is no PV-specific submittal package. 60% · residential permits flyer (PDF, extracted with pdftotext -layout)
• How many copies, and in what format? Online through ePermits is the recommended route (register, apply, upload documents, pay, print). Applications may also be dropped off or mailed; walk-ins are taken first come first served and same-day permits are not guaranteed. Faxed or emailed applications are not accepted. Civil development plans are dropped at 1111 Fannin Street, 8th Floor. 58% · residential permits flyer + department FAQ
• Is a site plan required, and what must it show? Yes for a residential development permit. The site plan must show: a north arrow; all property lines with dimensions; the distance of proposed structures from the nearest property lines; the frontage road clearly labelled; existing and proposed utilities; septic tank, field line and spray area locations if on site; all existing and proposed driveways and culverts with dimensions; the distance between all proposed and existing driveways; easements; and all existing and proposed structures clearly labelled with overall dimensions. A 'Sample Site Plan' exhibit (05/03/2022) is published. 65% · residential permits flyer (PDF, extracted with pdftotext -layout)
• Is a one-line / three-line diagram required? No. No one-line or three-line diagram is required by any published Harris County residential submittal — the county reviews no electrical work for one- and two-family dwellings. 65% · department document repository
• Are string and conductor calculations required? No. No string or conductor calculations are required by any published Harris County residential submittal. 62% · department document repository
• Is a structural PE stamp required, and at what threshold? No PV-specific structural PE threshold is published. The county's only residential structural-stamp trigger is location: if the structure is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (or in the 500-year floodplain with lowest adjacent grade below base flood elevation), foundation and other drawings must be signed and sealed by an engineer or architect licensed to practise in Texas. Outside the SFHA, no sealed structural drawings are required. 70% · department FAQ

Most authorities now take the whole application through a portal, and several states cap or constrain what a residential solar permit may cost. Check whether plan check is billed separately before you quote the job.

• Which permit portal does this authority use? ePermits — 'Harris County Engineering Department – Permits' at https://epermits.harriscountytx.gov (login, apply, project status, inspection request, power release status, pay as a guest, print documents). Version stamp on the live portal is 7.19.0. 95% · permit portal
• Can the whole application be completed online? Yes for the application itself. The portal's published steps run register → Projects → Apply → locate address on the map → complete application → upload all documents → agree to disclaimer → submit, with payment and document printing online, and inspection requests submitted online. Scheduling is not completed online — after an inspection request a representative contacts the applicant to schedule. 85% · department permit page + live portal
• What does a residential solar permit cost? No residential solar permit fee exists. If a rooftop retrofit were permitted as an improvement, the applicable line in the 2025 fee schedule is 'Accessory Structures – All Other Structures (paving, storage sheds, pools, Additions and remodels, etc.)' — $35.00 permit fee, $0.00 inspection outside a Special Flood Hazard Area, $73.00 inspection inside one ($35 or $108 total). Separately, the fee schedule's only explicit PV line is a FIRE CODE permit: 'Solar photovoltaic power systems' $240.00 fire code permit fee, plus HCFMO 'Solar Photovoltaic Power Systems' construction inspection $112.50 (1 inspection, $56.25 re-inspection) — and that applies only to buildings within the fire code's scope, i.e. not one- and two-family dwellings. 75% · fee schedule effective 10/01/2025 (PDF, extracted with pdftotext -layout)
• How is the fee calculated? Flat. Every residential line in the fee schedule is a flat permit fee plus a flat inspection fee (e.g. Residential Single/Multi-Family Dwellings & Manufactured Homes $165; Accessory Structures/Additions/Remodels $35; Fill Material $20; OSSF $113). Valuation-based fees appear only on the commercial side (Fire Code application fee banded by construction cost, development permit at $0.06/sq ft). 88% · fee schedule effective 10/01/2025
• Is there a separate plan-check fee? No separate residential plan-check fee. The residential section of the fee schedule lists only permit fee, inspection fee, re-inspection fee and revision fee ($73 residential revision). On the commercial side the FAQ states the permit fee 'includes the review as well as final inspection and Certificate of Compliance'. 68% · fee schedule effective 10/01/2025 + department FAQ

Interconnection is a separate process from the permit and usually the longer pole. Where the utility does not depend on the permit being issued, running both at once is the single biggest saving available on a residential job.

• What is the stated plan-review turnaround? 30 business days processing time, stated on the Residential Construction & On-site Sewage System permit page. Culvert approval and permitting is separately stated as up to 10 business days. The county does not expedite reviews ('Harris County does not expedite reviews at this time'). 78% · department permit page
• How long is an issued permit valid before it expires? 180 days to start construction from the date of issue, or the permit is null and void; two six-month extensions may be obtained on written request before expiry; the permit then remains valid for the duration of construction. Separately, a power release sent to CenterPoint is valid for 1 year from the date the permit is issued. An application not acted on is deemed abandoned 180 days after filing. 76% · department FAQ + adopted fire code §105.2.3/§105.3
• Which utility handles interconnection here? CenterPoint Energy (CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, the TDU) for most of unincorporated Harris County — named by Harris County itself on its Power Release page, which instructs homeowners to call CenterPoint at 713-207-2222 for an ESI ID. IMPORTANT EXCEPTION: parts of the county are Entergy territory. The county's own residential flyer says to confirm the address with 'Centerpoint at 713/207-2222, or call 281/949-5566 for Entergy administered areas'. Retail energy is sold by a separate Retail Electric Provider; the TDU sets the wires and metering. 88% · county power release page + county residential flyer
• Where does the utility sit in the sequence? Parallel / no county dependency for a PV retrofit. CenterPoint's Electric Service Standards art. 215 classifies customer generation as parallel or non-parallel; art. 215.1 requires that generation equipment 'may be installed and operated after application for such installation and operation has been received and approved by CenterPoint Energy', art. 215.3 governs parallel operation under CenterPoint specification 007-231-76, and art. 215.4 requires application and approval BEFORE interconnection. Separately, art. 204 notes that 'In localities having electrical ordinances, approval by the city inspecting authority having jurisdiction will be required before the Company is permitted to reconnect the service' — unincorporated Harris County has no electrical ordinance, so no county sign-off stands between the installer and CenterPoint. For NEW CONSTRUCTION service (not PV) the county is in the loop: power releases are sent to CenterPoint automatically at 2am the next business day after the permit is issued, and permanent power requires all inspections passed and no open violations. 80% · utility service standards (PDF, extracted with pdftotext -layout) + county power release page

The NEC edition a jurisdiction enforces is often a cycle behind the newest one published, and local amendments sit on top of it. Rapid shutdown, conductor sizing and labelling all change between editions, so the edition in force is the first thing to establish, not the last.

• Which NEC edition is in force? None adopted by the county for one- and two-family dwellings. Harris County adopts no NEC edition. Its Fire Code references NFPA 70 only incidentally and by currency, not by edition (e.g. §319.11 mobile food vendors 'in compliance with Section 603 and NFPA 70'; §611.2.1 EV disconnects). Residential is deferred to the State of Texas under LGC ch. 233 Subchapter F. CenterPoint's Service Standards likewise refer to 'the current edition of the National Electrical Code' without pinning a year. 75% · adopted fire code (PDF, extracted with pdftotext -layout)
• Which building code edition is in force? For buildings inside the fire code's scope: the 2021 International Building Code, applied selectively — Harris County Fire Code §102.4 and §105.6 adopt IBC chapters 2-10, 30, 35 and sections 1405, 1505, 1705.15–1705.19, 2403, 2406–2409, 3101–3105, 3110, 3111, 3301, 3302, 3306, 3307, 3309–3314 and Appendix C, with county amendments in Exhibit B ('Changes to International Building Code 2021'). For one- and two-family dwellings: no county building code — deferred to the State of Texas per §102.5. 88% · adopted fire code §102.4, §105.6, Exhibit B
• Which fire code edition is in force? Harris County Fire Code, based on the 2021 International Fire Code with county amendments. Adopted 14 Sep 2004 (effective 1 Jan 2005), amended 1 Jul 2008, 12 Apr 2012, 16 Dec 2014, 30 Apr 2019, 15 Dec 2020, 9 Sep 2021, 14 Dec 2021, and most recently 12 Nov 2024 — EFFECTIVE 1 JANUARY 2025. Appendices B, C, D, H and I are adopted (§101.2.1). Authority: Tex. Loc. Gov't Code ch. 233 Subchapter C, §233.061 et seq. 95% · adopted fire code, title page revision history
• Are there local amendments to any of the above? Yes — extensively. Exhibit A is 'Additions, Insertions, Deletion and Changes to International Fire Code 2021 Edition' covering chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 20, 28, 31, 32, 50 and more; Exhibit B is 'Changes to International Building Code 2021'. Sections 101–114 replace the IFC administrative chapter outright. 95% · adopted fire code, Exhibits A and B
• What is the installation judged against? For a one- or two-family dwelling: nothing at county level. Harris County performs no electrical or building review or inspection of the installation; the residential standard is the State of Texas's under LGC ch. 233 Subchapter F, and the physical work is judged by an independent third-party inspector engaged by the builder where new-home inspection applies. For buildings within the fire code's scope: the Harris County Fire Code (IFC 2021 as amended) plus the named IBC 2021 sections, enforced by the Fire Marshal with permits issued by the County Engineer. 78% · adopted fire code §101.2, §102.5, §103; residential permits flyer

Ridge setbacks and roof access pathways are fire-service requirements and they constrain the array layout. They are the most common cause of a redesign after the fire department comments on a plan set.

• What ridge setback and access pathways are required? No local rule. Harris County makes NO addition, insertion, deletion or change to IFC §1204 (solar photovoltaic power systems) anywhere in Exhibit A — its Chapter 12 amendments touch only §1201.1 scope, §1203.1.8, §1203.2/1203.2.20/1203.2.21 (emergency and standby power) and §1207.11.1 (ESS listings). So unamended IFC 2021 §1204 governs ridge setbacks and access pathways where the fire code applies — and it does not apply to one- and two-family dwellings. 80% · adopted fire code, Exhibit A Chapter 12

Which rapid-shutdown rule applies follows directly from the NEC edition in force, and the initiation device has to be at a location the fire service can reach and identify. This is inspected, and it is labelled.

Nothing recorded for Harris County on this step yet — 1 question checked and found unpublished. The guidance above is general.

The NEC sets a baseline for permanent markings at the service equipment and the disconnecting means. On top of that, an authority may specify its own wording, and the utility may specify more again. Where any of them writes its own text, a generic off-the-shelf label set will not pass — this is the detail most often fixed on a return visit.

• Does the authority specify placard wording of its own? No — not for photovoltaic systems. Harris County does specify placard wording of its own for other things (fire apparatus access roads: 'NO PARKING FIRE LANE' or 'FIRE LANE NO PARKING'; EV charging: emergency disconnect switches labelled 'EMERGENCY…'; ESS: listed and labelled to UL 9540 and marked 'For use in residential dwelling units'), but it specifies no PV placard wording anywhere. 75% · adopted fire code §503.3, §611.2.4, §1207.11.1
• Does it specify letter height, colour or material? Not for PV. The county does specify letter height, colour and material elsewhere — fire lane markings: 6-inch minimum painted lines in red traffic paint with 4-inch high white lettering at intervals no greater than 25 feet on both sides; key box doors painted bright red; sprinkler riser and fire pump room access doors labelled with reflective lettering — but nothing of the kind for photovoltaic or service-equipment placards. 72% · adopted fire code §503.3, §506.3, §901.4.67.2

Where the AC disconnect must sit relative to the meter is usually the utility's rule, not the building department's. Battery storage frequently carries its own permit, its own inspection and its own fire conditions.

• Must equipment be on a specific approved list? For energy storage systems, yes: Harris County Fire Code §1207.11.1 (amended) requires ESS to be listed and labelled in accordance with UL 9540 and marked 'For use in residential dwelling units', and provides that ESS listed and labelled solely for utility or commercial use shall not be used for residential applications. No approved-list requirement is published for PV modules or inverters. 80% · adopted fire code §1207.11.1
• Are batteries permitted, and under what conditions? Batteries are permitted, with fire-code conditions where the fire code applies. Harris County Fire Code requires BOTH an operational permit (§105.5.14, stationary and mobile ESS regulated by §1207) and a construction permit (§105.6.5, to install ESS regulated by §1207). Conditions the county has written itself: §1207.11.1 UL 9540 listing marked 'For use in residential dwelling units', with utility/commercial-only-listed ESS barred from residential use; §907.2.23 automatic smoke, thermal-imaging or radiant-energy detection in rooms, areas and walk-in units containing ESS; §903.3.1.1.4 sprinkler design for lithium-ion/lithium-metal battery areas to be based on fire tests witnessed by an approved laboratory with a fire-protection engineer's report; §5001.1 exception 7 removes ESS from the hazardous-materials general provisions. CRUCIALLY, §101.2 Exception 1 puts one- and two-family dwellings outside the whole code, so on the face of the document a home battery on a single-family house is not caught by any of it. 70% · adopted fire code §105.5.14, §105.6.5, §907.2.23, §903.3.1.1.4, §1207.11.1
• Is there a separate ESS permit or inspection? Yes, where the fire code applies. ESS carries a separate fire code operational permit AND a separate construction permit. Fees: 'Energy storage systems' fire code permit $240.00 (OCE fee schedule, Fire Code Permits table) and HCFMO 'Energy Storage Systems' building/construction permit inspection $150.00 with 1 inspection and $75.00 re-inspection. Not applicable to one- and two-family dwellings under §101.2 Exc. 1. 78% · fee schedule effective 10/01/2025 + adopted fire code
• Is a ground mount treated as a structure? Probably not a 'structure', but probably still 'development'. Under Floodplain Management Regulations §2.43 a 'Structure' is a walled and/or roofed building or a gas or liquid storage tank principally above ground — a ground-mount array is neither. But §2.14 'Development' reaches 'any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures… paving, excavation', which a ground-mounted array with foundations would engage, and §4.01 prohibits development without a permit. §2.14 excludes residential accessory buildings or structures outside A or V Zones with floor areas under 150 square feet. The county publishes nothing on ground-mount PV specifically. 55% · floodplain management regulations §2.14, §2.43, §4.01

Booking is a portal, a phone call or an email depending on the authority, and the notice required is rarely zero. Book before the work is finished rather than after — the lead time, not the work, is usually what sets the date.

• How is an inspection booked? Portal, with phone as an alternative. Primary route is the ePermits Inspection Request form (enter the permit number, e.g. 2201010001-ABC-001, confirm details, upload any pre-inspection documents, submit). The residential line for inspection requests is 713-274-3924. Septic inspections must be called in by the licensed installer only (713-274-3800). Pre-inspection certificates go by email: POSTPERMDOCS@harriscountytx.gov for Development As-Built, Foundation and Elevation certificates; FMOSUPPORT@harriscountytx.gov for Fire Code As-Built; SWQINSPECT@harriscountytx.gov for Storm Water Quality As-Built. 88% · published inspection process sheet REV 04/2023 (PDF, extracted with pdftotext -layout)
• How much notice is required? 2-3 business days. 'Allow 2-3 business days for inspection request to be processed and scheduled. An email will follow upon status change of the project to the requestor's listed email account.' The portal repeats this: a representative contacts you within 2-3 business days to schedule. Fire Marshal inspections: allow the assigned inspector 3-5 business days to make contact. Pre-inspection certificates: allow 3-5 business days for review. Septic: at least 24 hours' advance notice, called in by the licensed installer. 88% · published inspection process sheet REV 04/2023 + ePermits inspection request page
• Are same-day or AM/PM windows offered? No same-day service and no AM/PM windows offered. Inspections are requested through the portal and then scheduled by a representative who contacts the requestor; an email follows on status change. For driveway culverts the applicant must first contact the precinct on the permit to set grade stakes (Pct 1 281-820-5151, Pct 2 281-487-2910, Pct 3 713-857-5199, Pct 4 281-353-8424). 68% · published inspection process sheet REV 04/2023

Some authorities inspect their own solar work; some delegate it, and a few do not inspect the PV equipment itself at all. Who is coming determines what they will look at.

• Does this AHJ perform its own final solar inspection? No. Harris County performs no final solar inspection. Its published residential final site inspection (FNLR) checks exactly four things: Foundation Certificate (meets minimum elevation requirement per Harris County regulation), Drainage (final grade does not impact adjacent properties), Paving (sidewalks, parking lots, curbs, ramps), and Structures. No electrical, no roof, no PV, no labels. For new homes, 'Home Builders, Developers and Contractors MUST obtain independent 3rd party inspections for their homes' and enter them into ePermits. 80% · published inspection process sheet REV 04/2023 + residential permits flyer
• If delegated, to whom? To independent third-party inspectors engaged by the builder, developer or contractor, whose results the builder enters into ePermits. Harris County names no inspection agency, approved-inspector list, or qualifying criteria. 62% · residential permits flyer (PDF, extracted with pdftotext -layout)

A rough-in or mid-roof inspection, where one is required, has to happen before the work it covers is closed up. Missing a stage means opening something back up, and it is the most expensive kind of correction.

• Which inspections are required, and in what order? Residential, per the county's published Inspection Process (REV 04/2023): pre-inspection documents first (Development As-Built Certificate, Foundation Certificate, Elevation Certificate — submitted by email, allow 3-5 business days for a status email), then Residential Site final (FNLR) covering Foundation Certificate elevation, Drainage, Paving and Structures. Driveway is a separate three-stage sequence — Residential Driveway (RDW): culvert inspection, preliminary inspection, final inspection, with the precinct contacted to set grade stakes before the culvert inspection. Septic (OSSF) is inspected separately on 24 hours' notice by request of the licensed installer. All required inspections must pass before permanent Power Release is requested. 85% · published inspection process sheet REV 04/2023
• Is a rough-in or mid-roof inspection required? No. There is no rough-in or mid-roof stage in the county's published residential inspection sequence — the residential site inspection is a single final (FNLR), with only driveway carrying preliminary and final stages. 65% · published inspection process sheet REV 04/2023

The approved plan set, the permit, and the equipment listings should be on site and reachable. Inspectors routinely verify that installed equipment matches what was approved, and that the labels are the ones the plan set promised.

• Is there a published inspection checklist? Yes — 'Inspection Process' (REV 04/2023), a one-page published checklist naming the pre-inspection documents, their submission addresses, and the items checked at Residential Site (FNLR), Commercial Site (FNLC), Driveway (RDW/CDW) and Signs (ETJ/ETJT) inspections. Also published: 'Final Site Inspection Checklist' (12/08/2023, commercial), 'Commercial Sign Checklist' (12/08/2023), 'Junkyard or Automotive Wrecking Salvage Yard Facility Checklist' (12/11/2023), 'Harris County Foundation Certificate' (04/01/2025). There is no PV or electrical checklist. 90% · published inspection process sheet REV 04/2023 + document repository
• What must be on site at inspection? The permit must be posted — the inspection sheet's first line, in quotes and capitals, is 'INSPECTIONS WILL NOT BE CONDUCTED IF PERMITS ARE NOT POSTED'. Pre-inspection certificates (Development As-Built, Foundation, Elevation, Fire Code As-Built, Storm Water Quality As-Built) must have been submitted by email and reviewed in advance, allowing 3-5 business days. For septic, a valid septic permit and approved septic plans bearing the Permit Office's stamps must be in hand before an inspection can be scheduled. 88% · published inspection process sheet REV 04/2023
• Does the inspector verify labels and listings? No. Verification of labels and listings is not in the county's published residential inspection scope, which is limited to foundation elevation, drainage, paving and structures. The only listing verification the county writes anywhere is for ESS (UL 9540, §1207.11.1), inside the fire code, which does not reach one- and two-family dwellings. 65% · published inspection process sheet REV 04/2023

Passing gives you a final or an equivalent sign-off. That is not the same as permission to operate: PTO comes from the utility, and who tells the utility the inspection passed varies. A system left switched off for weeks is usually waiting on this handover.

• What is issued on pass? Residential: there is no certificate of occupancy. What passing produces is eligibility for permanent Power Release — the inspection sheet ends 'If all the above inspections pass, Request for a permanent Power Release', and the portal conditions permanent power on no outstanding violations, no open inspections and no unpaid storm water quality inspection fees. Commercial/fire code: a Certificate of Compliance issued by the County Engineer — Fire Code §102.3.1 provides that no building shall be used or occupied until a fire code inspection has been completed as approved and the County Engineer has issued a certificate of compliance. 80% · published inspection process sheet REV 04/2023 + ePermits power release page + fire code §102.3.1
• Who notifies the utility for PTO? Split, and different for the two cases. FOR NEW-CONSTRUCTION SERVICE the AHJ notifies: Harris County sends temporary and permanent power releases to CenterPoint automatically the next business day after permits are issued ('This power release will be sent AUTOMATICALLY at 2am'), valid for one year from the date the permit is issued; the customer then obtains an ESI ID from CenterPoint (713-207-2222 for homeowners) and orders service through a Retail Electric Provider, which sends the start-service order to CenterPoint. FOR DG INTERCONNECTION / PTO the county has no role at all: under CenterPoint Service Standards art. 215.4, before customer-owned generating equipment may be interconnected, application must be made to and approved by CenterPoint (specification 007-231-76) — so the installer or customer deals with the utility directly. 78% · county power release page + utility service standards art. 215
• Is there a re-inspection fee? Yes. From the fee schedule effective 10/01/2025 — Residential Single/Multi-Family Dwellings, Manufactured and Tract Homes, and Accessory Structures/Additions/Remodels: $73.00 re-inspection. Fill Material: $64.00. Residential Driveway: $69.00. On-Site Sewage Facility: $90.00. Commercial development inspection: $98.00. Fire Code permits: $100.00 re-inspection ($65 revision on fire protection). HCFMO's own schedule: Solar Photovoltaic Power Systems $56.25, Energy Storage Systems $75.00. NOTE A CONFLICT: the department FAQ states 'The first inspection and first re-inspection fee is included in the original permit fee. Subsequent re-inspection fees are assessed at $260 each' — that $260 does not match any figure in the current fee schedule. 80% · fee schedule effective 10/01/2025 + department FAQ
• How are corrections issued and cleared? For septic, the county states: 'If the septic system does not pass inspection, a list of deficiencies will be provided. A reinspection fee may be required. This fee must be paid before reinspection can occur.' Generally, an email follows on status change of the project to the requestor's listed email account. For fire code work, §109.2.1 requires the necessary corrections to be made and the work resubmitted to the fire code official for inspection and testing. Violations are handled separately: a violation letter must be abated by REMOVING or PERMITTING the item, via the Residential Group (713-274-3920) for residential property, or the Inspection Group (713-274-3924) to remove. 70% · department permit page + FAQ + adopted fire code §109.2.1