Advocacy Update: Harris County Permit & Fire Code Fee Proposals

Houston BOMA (Building Owners and Managers) has been actively engaged with Harris County on two significant fee proposals that directly affect commercial property owners and managers: permit fees from the County Engineering Department and fire code fees from the Fire Marshal’s Office. Both departments conducted a cost recovery study in collaboration with Ernst & Young and initially proposed substantial, immediate increases.

Thanks to constructive dialogue and joint advocacy efforts with partners like the Houston Apartment Association (HAA) and the Houston Real Estate Council (HREC), both departments have now revised their approaches to reflect more measured, transparent, and balanced updates. 

Engineering Department Fees

The County originally proposed immediate fee hikes of up to 200–400% across residential, multifamily, and commercial permits. After receiving feedback from BOMA, HAA, GHBA, HREC, and others, the Engineering Department has shifted to a three-year phased approach of 30% yearly increases. This approach is now accompanied by key service improvements, including:

• Hiring 30 new staff over three years to reduce review times (ex., civil reviews currently averaging ~8 months)

• Launching online permit tracking and inspector scheduling tools

• Upgrading platting and permitting technology and processes

Houston BOMA supports this phased model, contingent on the County’s implementation of:

• Annual benchmarks (e.g., 12–15% reduction in review times per year)
• Stakeholder updates before each new round of increases
• Clear staff recruitment and retention strategies

Fire Code Fees

The Fire Marshal’s Office initially proposed significant fee increases with limited transparency and no stakeholder engagement. Houston BOMA promptly raised concerns about the lack of clarity and the scale of the proposed increases, and our feedback, along with input from other groups, prompted the County to revise its initial plan.

Houston BOMA co-signed a joint letter with the Houston Apartment Association (HAA) and the Houston Real Estate Council (HREC) to ensure further clarity and transparency before the proposal advanced to Commissioners Court. As a result, the Fire Marshal’s Office issued an updated fee schedule and cost analysis reflecting a more balanced and measured approach. 

Based on those revisions, Houston BOMA has withdrawn its formal opposition. The updated proposal includes:

• Reductions for most large commercial permit fees
• Modest increases (typically $100–$200) for smaller projects under $400,000
• Slight increases in re-inspection fees, charged only after all standard inspections are exhausted
• Alignment of new fees with services already required under the Fire Code

What This Means for Members

Houston BOMA has helped shape both proposals into fairer, more transparent policies through focused advocacy and coalition building. The Engineering Department’s phased approach and the Fire Marshal’s revised schedule represent significant wins for our members.

Houston BOMA will continue working with County officials to monitor implementation, advocate for accountability, and ensure that future changes reflect the realities of our industry.

Our commitment is to safeguard members from disproportionate cost burdens while supporting improved County services that benefit everyone.