What's Required in Houston
- Uncovered wood decks accessory to a 1- or 2-family dwelling, not more than 30 in above grade, need no permit (Residential Permitting 101)
- Freestanding decks up to 200 sq ft, 30 in or less above grade, not attached and not serving the exit door are exempt
- Decks over 30 in or covered decks file a residential building permit in iPermits with plan review (10 business days)
- Guardrails 36 in minimum with 4 in maximum openings; handrails 34-38 in; stairs 7 3/4 in max rise, 10 in min tread
- Structures less than 5 ft from the property line need a one-hour fire-rated wall
- Fee: square-footage tier ($91.06 minimum) + $33.56 admin + 25% plan review
- No GC license in Houston; owner, agent or contractor may purchase the permit; electrical only by a registered master electrician
- Legal survey required at the first structural inspection on additions; permit valid 6 months
Do You Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Houston?
Only if it is high or covered. Houston Public Works' Residential Permitting 101 guide exempts uncovered wood decks accessory to a one- and two-family dwelling that are not more than 30 inches above grade, and separately exempts freestanding decks not exceeding 200 square feet that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the required exit door. The Building Code Enforcement Top 10 sheet repeats the 30-inch rule. Above 30 inches, or once you add a roof, the deck is a residential accessory structure that files for a building permit with plan review. The exemption never authorizes work that violates the code, so a low deck still has to be built to the residential code, and deed restrictions still apply.
Houston Deck Permit Rules by Scenario
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Uncovered wood deck attached to the house, 30 in or less above grade | None | Residential Permitting 101 exemptions; Top 10 sheet item 2(e) |
| Freestanding deck up to 200 sq ft, 30 in or less above grade, not serving the exit door | None | Residential Permitting 101 exemptions |
| Deck more than 30 in above grade at any point | Residential building permit with plan review (10 business days) | Residential Addition Permit (HPWCODE 1134) |
| Covered deck, patio cover or roofed porch | Residential building permit with plan review | Residential Addition Permit (HPWCODE 1134) |
| Deck lighting, outlets or a ceiling fan | Electrical permit by a registered master electrician | Top 10 sheet item 1; HPC electrical permits |
| Deck in the floodplain | Floodplain development permit may apply even if the deck is exempt | Residential Permitting 101, important notes |
| Replacing boards or railings like for like | Repair scope; like-for-like replacement of materials | Residential Permitting 101, defining the scope of work |
How Much Does a Deck Permit Cost in Houston?
Zero for an exempt deck. A deck that files is priced on the 2026 fee schedule's one- and two-family residential table, which charges by square footage (Texas HB 852 bars valuation-based residential fees). For wood-frame construction (Type VB) the second tier is a $47.00 base charge plus $5.36 for each additional 8.17 square feet after the first 57.16 square feet, with a $91.06 minimum permit fee, plus the $33.56 administrative fee and a non-refundable plan review fee of 25 percent of the permit fee. A 300-square-foot raised deck comes to about $208 in permit fee, $52 in plan review and $33.56 admin, roughly $293 total; a 500-square-foot covered deck about $399. Any wiring is a separate electrical permit at a $91.06 minimum plus the admin fee.
What the Reviewer Checks on a Deck
Houston's basic-requirements list is short and specific: guardrails at least 36 inches high with openings no larger than 4 inches, handrails between 34 and 38 inches, stairs with a maximum 7 3/4-inch rise and 10-inch minimum tread, and a one-hour fire-rated wall where a structure sits less than 5 feet from the property line. Plans are submitted through iPermits with a survey or site plan showing property lines, easements and building setback lines, plus foundation and framing details. A legal survey is now required at the first structural inspection on additions.
Who Pulls a Deck Permit in Houston?
Houston does not license general contractors, and the building permit may be purchased by the owner, agent or contractor. The application includes a Declaration in Support signed by the property owner and validated against Harris County Appraisal District records. Electrical permits are issued only to master electricians licensed by TDLR and registered with the city. Inspections are completed the next business day after the request, and the permit is valid for six months.
How to Get a Deck Permit in Houston
Measure height and check the cover
30 in or less above grade and uncovered: no permit (freestanding decks also within 200 sq ft). Otherwise file.
Check deed restrictions and the floodplain
Houston enforces deed restrictions and has no zoning; floodplain lots may need a floodplain development permit.
Apply in iPermits
Building permit application, Declaration in Support (validated against HCAD), survey or site plan, foundation and framing plans.
Pay and wait for plan review
Square-footage tier fee plus $33.56 admin and 25 percent plan review; a 300 sq ft deck is about $293. Review takes 10 business days.
Build to the checklist and inspect
36 in guardrails, 4 in openings, compliant stairs; electrical under a master electrician's permit; inspections next business day.