Exterior Home Additions That Don't Require Building Permit in Houston (Montgomery: buying, contractor)

[Ghost Town]

Hello! I couldn't find clear information online so I decided to open a new thread here.

I'd like to make some outdoor home improvements but without raising property taxes. My mailing address is in Houston.

I have an uncovered patio (piece of concrete slab) that I would like to transform into covered patio. Will a patio roof addition require a permit from the city and eventually raise my property taxes?

If so, then what about a pergola that won't be physically attached to the house? I am considering buying a pergola kit or covered patio kit and do this addiction myself.

And also what about the above the ground swimming pool? Do I need a city permit for it?

Oh I forgot about a gazebo. Do I need a city permit for it?

Thanks in advance for the information!

[WRM20]

Having a Houston mailing address doesn't mean you are in the City of Houston. Check your address at the HCAD site, Harris County Appraisal District, or look at your voter registration. Either of those will tell you whether or not you live in the City of Houston. Here's a CoH top 10 permit facts link https://edocs.publicworks.houstontx....permitting.pdf and the code enforcement page https://www.houstonpermittingcenter....forcement.html

It looks like an attached cover requires a permit, a pergola would not, unless you want electrical work done for lights or fans. Houston does not sell electrical permits to homeowners, only to master electricians.

In any case, call the code enforcement folks for answers.

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by WRM20

Having a Houston mailing address doesn't mean you are in the City of Houston. Check your address at the HCAD site, Harris County Appraisal District, or look at your voter registration. Either of those will tell you whether or not you live in the City of Houston. Here's a CoH top 10 permit facts link https://edocs.publicworks.houstontx....permitting.pdf and the code enforcement page https://www.houstonpermittingcenter....forcement.html

It looks like an attached cover requires a permit, a pergola would not, unless you want electrical work done for lights or fans. Houston does not sell electrical permits to homeowners, only to master electricians.

In any case, call the code enforcement folks for answers.

Thank you! I am inclined towards pergola.
I can run lights with the extension cord from the outlet on the exterior wall. In this case no electrician will be needed.

[gwarnecke]

Neighbor did exactly what you were describing (enclosed attached patio with roof, turning it into a covered porch). Houston permit was required. His 2017 HCAD value shot up by 12%, everyone else's on the street stayed the same.

No good deed goes unpunished...

[Prey521]

I put a covered pergola up, with ceiling fan/lights and no permit was required. I'm in Montgomery County though, so things may be diff up there.

[rigas]

Originally Posted by gwarnecke

Neighbor did exactly what you were describing (enclosed attached patio with roof, turning it into a covered porch). Houston permit was required. His 2017 HCAD value shot up by 12%, everyone else's on the street stayed the same.

No good deed goes unpunished...

yup
HCAD is based on COVERED footage not CONDITIONED footage so once you attach that roof to the existing structure it becomes covered.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

As others have already said, if it is covered and attached to the house, it will require a permit. The City of Houston also considers it livable space... yes, that's right, it does not matter that you cannot eat and sleep in it. And if it is a covered space, even a pergula, it will be subject to a drainage fee becasue the surface is impermeable. The drainage fee then is about 3.5 cents per foot, and you have to pay it before they stamp your plans. Oh yes, you need plans.

I say all that with a tongue-in-cheek tone, but it really is legite. I just got done with the Permitting Office for the city for some work I am doing. I have a porch, and terrace, and the city said it was 'liveable', and charged me a fee for the drainage. As long as there is no 'cover', you are okay. And as someone else mentinoed, only a Master Electrician can pull a permit, but any Journeyman, or electrical contractor can wire the house. Heck, even you can wire it if you follow the code, but the person who pulled the permit is responsible for it.

Anyway, probably more than you wanted to know... good luck!

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by gwarnecke

Neighbor did exactly what you were describing (enclosed attached patio with roof, turning it into a covered porch). Houston permit was required. His 2017 HCAD value shot up by 12%, everyone else's on the street stayed the same.

No good deed goes unpunished...

Ouch! That's even larger increase than I expected

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

As others have already said, if it is covered and attached to the house, it will require a permit. The City of Houston also considers it livable space... yes, that's right, it does not matter that you cannot eat and sleep in it. And if it is a covered space, even a pergula, it will be subject to a drainage fee becasue the surface is impermeable. The drainage fee then is about 3.5 cents per foot, and you have to pay it before they stamp your plans. Oh yes, you need plans.

Thanks! The drainage thing is understandable. But is it a one-time fee?
And why do I need plans if I get pergola from Lowe's and don't attach it to the house?

[Ghost Town]

I could't find an answer, but maybe somebody knows: is permit required to install a small concrete foundation (slab) for a utility shed? Sheds smaller that 120 sf do not require permits, but what about shed foundations?