URETEK ICR Gulf Coast has provided foundation repair in Houston and its neighboring cities for over 20 years. To properly serve your foundation remediation needs, we have an intimate understanding of the City of Houston’s building code regarding foundation repair.
City of Houston Building Code on Foundation Repair
The following three sections cover mentions of foundation repair by the City of Houston Public Works Department. This list is by no means exhaustive, so contact an experienced contractor for home foundation repair in Houston or surrounding cities for effective and compliant repairs.
1. Permit Requirements
According to a Code Word publication in July 1986 by the City of Houston Public Works Department, you must have a permit before completing a foundation repair.
“No person, firm, or corporation shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure in the city, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a separate building permit for each such building or structure from the Building Official.”
In addition to the City of Houston requiring contractors to get a permit to do foundation repairs, some surrounding cities also require this. To obtain a permit, the contractor needs to submit an engineer-stamped drawing of the repair plan.
Once the plan is approved and a permit is obtained, the responsible contractor will need to call 811 at least two days before work is started. A member utility company will mark telecommunication, electrical, and gas lines before the contractor completes the repairs.
2. Site Plan
According to the current Houston Construction Code, “A site plan is required when foundation repair is proposed.” We covered that aspect in the section above, but this Code Word expands on easements and adjacent properties.
The site plan needs to show easements that could affect construction, and it needs to cover property lines and existing buildings in instances that could affect adjacent structures. This is important for properties without building setback lines and patio homes.
3. Floodplain Management Office (FMO) Review
The Houston Permitting Center website provides some information to help clarify some unique conditions for foundation repair projects. If foundation repairs are to occur in the 100-year floodplain, conveyance zone, or floodway, the plans must be reviewed by the Floodplain Management Office. Even if the cost of foundation repair is very minimal, it needs to go through the FMO first.
The special conditions in this document also mention that foundation piles may not go over property lines. Like the section above, repairs along common walls of townhouses or condos need a letter from the property manager stating that the affected homeowners are aware of the remediation work that will be performed.
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URETEK Gulf Coast Is Your Foundation Repair Expert
URETEK Gulf Coast has provided foundation repair in the Greater Houston area for over 20 years. Whether you need residential or commercial foundation repair in Houston, our expert team of technicians can resolve your foundation issues!