Welcome to Civil Development

The Harris County Regulations for the approval and acceptance of Infrastructure was adopted April 30, 2002 and became effective May 15, 2002. Regulations were recently amended July 1, 2015.

These Regulations apply in all unincorporated areas of Harris County, Texas and those areas where Harris County maintains the rights-of-way.

At present, the Regulations of Harris County, Texas for The Approval and Acceptance of Infrastructure is available with the following content.

  • Section 1 Preliminary Provisions
  • Section 2 Use Of Terms
  • Section 3 General Provisions
  • Section 4 Administrative Procedures For Review Of Plats
  • Section 5 Administrative Procedures For The Review Of Construction Drawings
  • Section 6 Drainage Requirements
  • Section 7 Paving
  • Section 8 Structures
  • Section 9 Testing Requirements
  • Section 10 Inspections
  • Section 11 Acceptance Of Improvements Within Subdivisions
  • Section 12 Traffic
  • Section 13 Landscape And Monumentation
  • Section 14 Variances
  • Section 15 Severability

The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that the construction of infrastructure within the County's rights-of-way perform their intended function with limited maintenance and repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where do I go to drop off civil development plans for review by Harris County?
A: Plans need to be dropped off at 10555 Northwest Freeway, suite 120, Houston, Texas 77092.

Q: How does the plan review process work?
A: The civil development plans go through five different departments. These departments are civil development, traffic, public review, Harris County Flood Control, and stormwater quality. In certain cases additional coordination will be required.

Q: When does my project require additional coordination other than the standard five-step plan review process?
A: If your project requires reconstruction of pavement within Harris County ROW, then the Harris County Precinct that your project is located in will require review of your proposed plans. Another example is if your project is located along a Harris County Roadway Improvement Project. In this case, coordination with the CIP Engineer will be required. Plan reviewers will notify you during the review process if additional coordination is required.

Q: What is the difference between a Notification and a Permit?
A: A Notification is authorization for work to be done in Harris County or Harris County Flood Control Right-of-Way. Notifications are handled by the Public Review department or Flood Control Watershed department.

Q: What items are typically required in a civil site plan?
A: Typical Items include: Title sheet (w/ sheet index, vicinity map, Firm TBPE No.), Harris County Civil Development Review Sheet,  Site plan, Grading Plan, Drainage Plan, Detention Pond details, Storm Water Prevention Pollution Plan, Landscape Plan, Paving plan, Utility plan and Traffic Control Plan (if Required). All plans must be signed and sealed by a licensed engineer. Landscape architects may sign and seal Landscape plans, but a licensed engineer must sign and seal the civil review sheet.

Q: When is detention required?
A: See section 6.03 Storm Water Detention, page 38 of the Subdivision Regulations

Q: How do I submit a revision to a previously approved project?
A: 

1. Resubmit the revision under the same project number as the original, approved set of plans. If the project was approved in CRM (Legacy system), please refer to that project number. Only in this case will you be assigned a new project number for a revision.

2. Provide a complete set of plans.

3. Cloud all changes throughout the plan set.

4. Complete the revision block on the civil review sheet with a brief description of the changes, referencing the relevant pages, This must be done on the approved civil review sheet (the one with the Harris County signatures).

5. If a new engineer is responsible for the revision, he/she must stamp all revised sheets and the civil review sheet.

Salvage Yards

Junk yards and automotive wrecking and salvage yards and existing junk yards and automotive salvage yards should meet the following criteria: Commercial review if applicable. 

Must be in accordance with Texas Transportation Code 396.041(c)(2)(B); 396.041(c)(3); 396.041 (c)(4), 396.042 and 396.043. 

Accurate site plan of dimensioned or to scale of existing and proposed developments. 

Must meet all Harris County regulations (see www.eng.hctx.net/permits For Harris County regulations). 

A completed commercial development application for each scope of work; i.e. building, paving, fill, etc.
Submittal of all required affidavits; i.e. fill, detention, etc.
Septic Approval required if applicable.

Contact Information

Director of Permits
Darrell Hahn, P.E., CFM
darrell.hahn@harriscountytx.gov
Phone: 713-274-3776

Assistant Director of Permits
Yancy Scott, P.E., CFM
Yancy.scott@harriscountytx.gov
Phone: 713-274-4320

David Randolph, P.E., CFM
David.randolph@harriscountytx.gov
Phone: 713-274-3806

Civil Development Assistant Manager:
Ana Encarnacion
Ana.Encarnacion@harriscountytx.gov

Plan Reviewer:
Victor Cortez
Victor.Cortez@harriscountytx.gov

Plan Reviewer:
Aws Al Obaidi
Aws.AlObaidi@harriscountytx.gov

Plan Reviewer:
Fredrick Assabill
Fredrick.Assabill@harriscountytx.gov

Plan Reviewer:
Noor Hasan
Noor.Hasan@harriscountytx.gov

Plan Reviewer:
Kirkwood Watson
Kirkwood.Watson@harriscountytx.gov

Plan Reviewer:
Neda Mesbahi
Neda.Mesbahi@harriscountytx.gov

1111 Fannin, 8th Floor
Houston, TX 77002

Please submit an email and we will respond at our earliest convenience.

Phone: 713-274-3921
Email: civildevel@harriscountytx.gov

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