Community Development

Building Dept Girls 2022About the Department

Welcome to the City of Deer Park Building Department. We hope that we can provide you with the information you will need to successfully build, remodel, and develop in Deer Park.

When a Building Permit is Required

The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call your local building department. Discuss your plans with a building official before you begin construction to determine whether you need a permit. If a permit is not needed, the code official will answer your construction questions and may provide valuable advice.

A person, firm, or corporation shall not erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, install, convert, or demolish any building or structure (including fences and storage buildings) within the City of Deer Park without first obtaining a permit (building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, stormwater, and/or floodplain development).

Permits are required for the following:

  • New buildings (residential and commercial)
  • Additions (bathrooms, bedrooms, family rooms, etc.)
  • Residential work (decks, garages, fences, fireplaces, pools, water heaters, exteriors, etc.)
  • Renovations (garage conversions, kitchen expansions, re-roofing, bathrooms, etc.)
  • Electrical work
  • Plumbing systems
  • HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) systems

Working Without a Permit

Any person working within the city limits on any property that is not that person's primary residence who erects, constructs, alters, or repairs a building or structure without the required permits or licenses is in violation of City Ordinance 3392 and will be subject to a $500 investigation fee, a triple permit fee, and a $150 license fee if applicable. 
This also includes plumbing, electrical and mechanical work.

Why are Building Permits Important

By reading this you've already taken the first step toward protecting the outcome and investment value of your construction project and guarding against a lawsuit or injury. The following information describes simple steps you can take to obtain building permits and how permits work for you. You'll be surprised at how easy the whole process is.

The truth is, building permits are very beneficial to you and your community. By working with an expert code official, you will benefit from their knowledge of building codes to ensure your construction project is built right, will be safe and will last. Read on to discover the benefits of building permits.

What's a Building Permit?

A building permit give you legal permission to start construction of a building project in accordance with approved drawings and specifications.

Why Bother Getting a Permit?

Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by your community, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. If you decide to sell your home or building that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied or do costly repairs.

A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit. Your permit also allows the code official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety and welfare. By following code guidelines, your completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends and future owners.

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