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Community Development - Permits, Code Enforcement, Zoning

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1. When is a permit needed when I do work or have work done at my property?

More than likely a permit is required. You will also need to have the permit before work begins. If you are not sure about whether or not you need a permit, please call the Permitting Office at 713-662-8230 or 713-662-8231. The Building Official is also available to answer permitting questions at 713-662-8235.

2. How much do permits cost?

They vary. Please verify the cost of each permit with the Permit Department. They can be reached at 713-662-8230 or 713-662-8231. Additionally, there is a schedule of fees on the Community Development Department page on the City website under the heading "Fee Schedule."

3. Do I need a permit to repair or replace a fence?

Yes, quite often you will need a permit to repair the fence.. A survey of your property is also needed. Please divert all further questions related to fences to the Building Official at 713-662-8235 or the Permitting Office at 713-662-8230 or 713-662-8231. Building Permit Application

4. Do I need a permit to have a garage sale?

Yes you need a permit for a garage sale. Garage Sale Permit Application

5. Do I need a permit to paint my house?

No.

6. Do I need a permit to replace windows and window frames?

Yes.

7. Even if I do the work myself do I still need a permit?

Yes. Homeowners may get a "Homeowners Building Permit" only if your home is listed under Harris County Appraisal District as your homestead to repair a roof or remoded the house.

8. Does my company need to have valid insurance before they can do any work in the City of Bellaire?

Yes, they must have a minimum of $300,000 of general libability to be able to do any type of work within the city.

9. Can I get a permit application form online?

Yes. Select the "more" link at the bottom of this reply and it will link you to the Document Center. More...

10. Where can I find out what my setbacks are?

You will first need to know what your Zoning District designation is. You may obtain that by calling the Permitting Office at 713-662-8230/8231/8243. Once you know that, you can find the "Setback" sheet on the website, in the Document Center, under Community Development s >Community Development Forms>Various Pemit Applications and Information>Setbacks.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Permitting Office for clarification; 713-662-8230/8231/8235/8234/8240/8241 or 8243. More...

11. Can I get a registration form of the website?

Yes, you can. Look under the Community Development Department Registration & Application Forms. If you have any problems, please feel free to call the Community Development Depart at 713-662-8230.

12. Do you take credit cards for permits and registration?

No. We take checks and or cash.

13. Which building and trade codes does the City use?

2006 Editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Gas Code, 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, and the 2005 National Electrical Code.

14. What is an elevation certificate or a FEMA certificate and where do I get one?

It is a Federal Form used to certify the finished floor elevation of a house or garage. If one exists in the City records, you may obtain a copy from us. If one is not available, you can contract with a Texas Registered surveyor and they will provide one for you.

15. How can I find out what flood zone my property is located in and what does the designation mean?

The flood plain maps are located on the City website at www.ci.bellaire.tx.us. The maps are located under the heading "maps." From there, you will be directed to the City GIS map. On the "layers" tab highlight "base flood elevation," "TSARP Contours," and search by your address. The floodplain will be highlighted in pink. If you require further assistance, please contact the Building Official or the Harris County Flood Control Office at 713-684-4000. The flood plain maps are also available through the Harris County Flood Control's website at www.hcfcd.org.

16. My house was damaged and I would like to remodel. Can I do that if my HCAD appraisal records show my house is worth $100.00?

When a house is in the 100-year flood plain, you are not allowed to spend more than 50% of the house value. You may obtain a private appraisal of your house and the City will honor that appraisal amount when considering your permit application.

17. Is Bellaire zoned?

Yes.

18. What does it mean to be zoned?

Zoning is the way governents control the physical develoment of land and the kinds of uses for which each individual property may be used.

Zoning laws typically specify the areas in which residential, industrial, recreational or commercial activities take place. For example, an R-1 residential zone allows only single-family detached homes to be built in its district. On the other hand, a CCD-1 zone would be an area that permits only certain commercial or industrial uses in a City Center District. An RM zone would allow a mix of housing and business in another part of the City.

19. What is a plat?

A document, which may include a graphic description of a tract of land by metes and bounds, giving dimensions of all easements, setbacks, subdivision names, streets, alleys, squares, parks, other public areas, and giving dimensions of all lots or tracts contained therein, pursuant to the Texas Local Governement Code, Chapter 212, Municipal Regulation of Subdivisions and Property Development and/or the City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances.

A plat is a survey that contains all of the above information on a particulat piece of land or subdivision.

20. What is an amended plat?

A plat on which a lot line separating two individual lots has been removed through a legal process, combining the two original lots into one larger lot. The address of the lot that was taken in to the other will be stricken from the legal records once the amended plat has been filed and recorded by the County Clerk's Office.

21. What is a replat?

A proposed modification of an existing plat, typically increasing the number of lots, pursuant to the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 212, Municipal Regulations of Subdivisions and Property Development and/or the City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances. A replat may not amend or remove existing covenants or Deed Restrictions.

22. How do I find out if I am in the Flood Plain?

The new maps created by the Tropical Strom Allison Recovery Project (TSARP) are now the FEMA effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps and are being used to determine insurance requirements and rates. This link will take you to their website and allow you to locate the area of your concern. Flood Plain Maps

23. When do I need a Certificate of Occupancy?

You need a certificate of occupancy anytime an existing home is either for sale or for rent, or the seller/landlord must come to the community development office and apply for a certificate of occupancy. Commercial properites also require a Certificate of Occupancy

24. Under what circumstances would I want or need to amend my plat?

1. When you want to build a structure on two separate but adjacent lots
2. When you buy the lot next door and want to combine it with your existing property or
3. When you buy the lot next door and want to put an accessory structure on it (i.e. pool, pool house, garage)

25. Are Deed Restrictions part of zoning?

No.

26. How do I combine my two lots?

You must apply for an amended plat . Please call 713-662-8240 to set up an appointment to meet with Community Development Staff. Application

27. If I have deed restrictions, where would I get a copy of them?

You will need to visit the Harris County Clerk's Office. You can check their website at www.ci.cclerk.netx.net for information on locations, phone numbers, and hours of operation. You will need to take the legal description of your property with you and that can be obtained by accessing the HCAD website at www.hcad.org.

28. My neighbor has a backyard full of old car parts and tires. Help!

You may call or email the City's Zoning & Health Code Enforcement Officer at 713-662-8237 to report the problem. Please leave detailed information along with your name and contact number so the Code Enforcement Officer can be in touch if there are questions regarding your concern.

29. There is a vacant house next door to me. No one has cut the grass in months and the weeds are about as high as my waist. Can't the City do something?

You may call or email the City's Zoning & Health Code Compliance Officer at 713-662-8237 to report the problem., Please leave detailed information along with your name and contact numbers so the Code Compliance Officer can be in touch if there are questions regarding your concern.

30. There is a smashed car without a license plate in the driveway across the street from my house. Is that legal?

You may call or email the City's Zoning and Health Code Enforcement Officer at 713-662-8237 to report the problem. Please leave detailed information along with your name and contact numbers so the Code Enforcement Officer can be in touch if there are questions regarding your concern.

31. I own a lot in a residential section of Bellaire and I own a small business that needs an office. May I use the house and/or property as an office/business only?

No. The City's Zoning Regulations prevent a building located in a residential district from being used strictly as a business or an office. A room in the home or garage may be used as an office as long as the owner of the business is living in the house. Under all circumstances, the zoning regulations are meant to preserve the integrity of the residential neighborhood.

32. I just bought a new boat. Can I store it in the front of my house or in my driveway?

You may not store it in front of the house, even in the driveway, unless you can store it behind the front building line.

33. Does the City have a Tree Ordinance?

Yes, it applies to construction related situations. If you have questions, you may call or email the City's Zoning & Health Code Compliance Officer at 713-662-8237 to report the problem. Please leave detailed information along with your name and contact number so the Code Compliance Officer can be in touch if there are questions regarding your concern.

34. I would like to install a sign at my business do I need a permit?

Yes. Bellaire has a strict sign code and most signs require prior approval and permit for installation. The application for a Sign Permit is available online.

35. We are a big event at our business location. Can we have an inflatable balloon on top of the building or in the parking lot to advertise?

No. Such types of signs are prohibiited within the Bellaire City limits.