Permitting and Review Steps
1. Submit construction application and plans via the online portal at www.mygovernmentonline.org. Upload your construction plans to the portal, including adequate details and information, so that your project may be reviewed. Include the "Plans Review Information Sheet" with your plans upload (form above).
2. Your project must be reviewed for Health/Environmental, Drainage, and Fire Code;
3. Once approvals are complete, and appropriate fees have been paid, the permit will be issued and may be downloaded via the permitting portal. Fees may be paid online with credit cared or in-person at the Permit Office, 201 Airport Road, Anahuac, TX.
4. Commercial projects must be inspected by the Fire Marshal and issued a Certificate of Compliance upon completion, BEFORE the building is occupied.
Information Required to Complete Plans Reviews and Fire Permits:
Buildings and Structures
Adequate information must be included with construction plans in order to review for fire code compliance, or the review cannot be completed. Please include the following information and details on the plans:
- a site plan to scale for the property including, but not limited to the following:
- Location of the proposed building in relation to adjacent buildings and property lines, with distances to each called out;
- Location of proposed fire lanes and fire apparatus access roads with distances to buildings called out;
- Location of existing fire hydrants and proposed fire hydrants with distances between fire hydrants and distances to buildings and fire lanes called out; and
- Location of fire department connection(s) in relation to the structure(s) it serves
- a floor plan to scale for each level of the building including, but not limited to the following:
- Types of construction materials and class of interior finish;
- Location of all exits with distances between exits called out – exit width, type and any special requirement shall be stated, including fire exit hardware;
- Location of any fire alarm equipment, automatic sprinklers, emergency lighting, etc. required to meet this Code;
- Defined occupancy classification and occupancy load;
- North arrow, accurate legend, door and wall schedules; and
- Each room labeled with specific use and square footage.
If unable to determine from the information submitted whether a permit should be issued, the Fire Code Official may require the submission of additional information, drawings, specifications or documents.
Plans for construction or substantial improvement to buildings and facilities required to be designed by an architect or engineer, according to Texas statutes, shall be stamped and certified by an architect or engineer authorized to practice in the State of Texas.
Engineer required if:
- Single-story apartments over 8 units;
- Apartment that exceeds 4 units AND exceeds 2 stories;
- Building over 5,000 square feet in area;
- Building with an unsupported span greater than 24 ft.
Architect required if:
- Institutional or residential facility;
- Publicly owned building of Education, Assembly or Office Occupancy and construction cost exceeding $100,000.00;
- Publicly owned existing building of education, assembly or office occupancy and alterations exceeding $50,000.00 and requiring moving of walls, or alteration of an exit;
References:
- Texas Engineering Practice Act § 1001.056
- Occupations Code §1051.703
Site Plans Only
For projects needing a site plan review that do not involve structures, please submit and application and upload the site plan to the permitting portal.
Fire Alarm, Fire Sprinkler, Vent Hood Suppression, or Other Fire Systems
These require a separate permit and review process. Please submit them via the online permitting portal, and upload associated system drawings.
Fireworks Displays
Fireworks and pyrotechnic displays required a review, approval, and permit. Please submit via the online permitting portal, and include associated site plans, indicating distances to the audience, buildings, and fireworks. Please include the "Fireworks or Pyrotechnic Display Information Sheet" with your online application upload.
Fireworks Retail Sales
Fireworks retail sites, including indoor sales and fireworks stands, require review, approval, and permit. For more information, please see: Firework Retail Sales Regulations.
Flammable or Combustible Liquid Storage Tanks
Please submit via the online permitting portal, and include a site plan indicating distances to buildings from the tank, distances to property lines, product used, tank type, and tank identification numbers as applicable.
Hazmat Storage
Please submit via the online permitting portal, and include Hazmat Information Sheets which includes and inventory of materials stored and their quantities. Storage layout also required.
High Piled Storage
Please submit via the online permitting portal, and include storage layout diagrams, aisle widths, square footages, heights, and types and quantities of commodities stored.
Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Systems
Please submit via the online permitting portal, and include system diagram, frequencies covered, and output power.
Access Control
Please submit via the online permitting portal, and include floor layout, lock locations, types of lock, and failsafe measures.
Request for Final Inspection
When the construction of buildings or structures are complete, please fill out the“Request for Final Inspection (As-Built Certificate)” form and upload to the permit portal. Please note that in some cases the general contractor must complete the form, but in some cases an architect or engineer must complete and stamp the form (as noted near bottom of form). You may email the fire marshal at firemarshal@chamberstx.gov when you are ready to schedule your final inspection.