Confirm the address and proposed use.
Write down the exact premises, the work you plan to carry out and what customers or staff will do there. Confirm the jurisdiction responsible for that location. A Houston mailing address is not enough to establish city permitting authority.
Ask about the intended use and existing occupancy approval before committing to a lease or renovation. A previous occupant’s approval may not answer the requirements for a different activity.
Official source: City of Houston permits and inspections ↗
Think premises, work and activity.
Premises
Check occupancy classification, existing approvals and whether your proposed use changes the requirements.
Construction
Ask which building or trade permits and inspections apply to the planned fit-out or changes.
Business activity
Check for activity-specific approvals, including relevant food, fire or other departmental requirements.
Use the city’s business starter kits to identify the questions relevant to your business type. Keep a list of the departments you contact and the answer each gives.
Official source: Houston business starter resources ↗
Check the certificate before opening.
“The space was already a business” is not a complete check.
The city’s guidance says a Certificate of Occupancy is required before occupying a commercial building or individual commercial lease space, and when changing an existing occupancy classification. Ask the city which application, inspections or records apply to your premises.
Official source: Certificates of Occupancy guidance ↗
Build a project folder.
- Exact address, unit number and property contact.
- Description of the proposed activity and opening plans.
- Existing occupancy documentation, if available.
- Drawings, plans or other documents requested by the city.
- Contractor details and required registrations.
- Application numbers, fee receipts and correspondence.
- Inspection schedule, correction notices and approvals.
Ask which approvals depend on others and sequence the applications accordingly. Leave time for plan corrections and inspections. The checklist helps organise the process; the city determines the actual submission requirements.
Close the loop on every approval.
Apply
Submit the requested documents and keep each application number.
Resolve
Track comments, corrections and inspection results in the same folder.
Confirm
Check which final approvals are needed before the premises can open.
Keep approved records accessible and record any renewal or ongoing inspection dates. Revisit the requirements if the use, layout or business activity later changes.
Official source: City permitting process and resources ↗