Starting on July 24, 2020, the City of Houston Planning Department will require that the 100-year, 500-year floodplains and floodway be identified on all general plans submitted to the department with the Plat Tracker application. …
Updated TDI Windstorm Code Effective Date Delayed Until Sept 1, 2020
The Texas Department of Insurance released an emergency rule on April 3, 2020 which postpones the effective date of the updated TDI windstorm code to September 1, 2020. Beginning September 1, 2020, the 2018 windstorm …
Coronavirus Could Affect OSHA Compliance on Home Building Sites
Source: National Association of Home Builders The effects of the COVID-19 illness associated with a new coronavirus have already proven to be extraordinarily broad, ranging from the obvious strain on countries’ healthcare systems to a …
EPA Releases Final Navigable Waters Protection Rule
In late January, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army published the final Navigable Waters Protection Rule to define “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) in the Clean Water Act (CWA). …
Government Affairs/Volume Builders Meeting on Dec. 10
The GHBA’s Government Affairs and Volume Builders Committees will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, December 10 at 11:30 a.m. in the GHBA boardroom. This meeting will cover a wide variety of topics both at …
Harris County Issues Clarification on Development Regulations
In June, Harris County adopted new drainage and floodplain management regulations, as well as new development requirements based on the updated Atlas 14 study of historical rainfall data. At the time the GHBA, along with …
EPA Repeals 2015 Waters of the U.S. Rule
Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) repealed the 2015 joint Clean Water Act (CWA) “Waters of the U.S.”(WOTUS) definition and rule. That rule would have dramatically expanded jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act and …
New State Laws Effective September 1
The 86th Texas Legislature has come to a close with hundreds of bills signed into law. Here are three that should be on your radar as a Texas homebuilding professional. House Bill 2439 by Representative …
City of Houston Announces Green Infrastructure Incentives
Last summer, the GHBA along with other development and community stakeholders were invited to participate and contribute in the process to develop the City of Houston’s Green Stormwater Incentives to encourage the use of green …
Harris County Adopts New Development Regulations Based on Atlas 14 Data
The Harris County Commissioners Court has adopted changes to development regulations that were based on the updated Atlas 14 study of historical rainfall data. These changes are effective immediately. Atlas 14 is a study conducted …
10 Common Reasons for Site Plan Review Rejections
The Houston Planning and Development Department (P&D) wants to help you get your site plans approved quickly and with the fewest amount of rejections possible. To this end, the team has identified the 10 most …
That’s a Wrap: Texas Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
On January 8 at noon, members of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives gathered in their respective chambers at the Capitol to convene the 86th legislative session. That began the 140 day countdown to …
City of Houston “Electronic Plan Review (EPR)” Training
This spring, the City of Houston’s Permitting Center will be moving to 100% electronic plan submittal for all residential projects. While the EPR option has been available for years, it will now be mandatory. City …
City of Houston 2015 Wood Frame Construction Manual Seminars
The Customer Assistance and Code Development group will host two day-long seminars on the 2015 Wood Frame Construction Manual provided by the American Wood Council. The seminars will take place on February 13, 2019 and …
NAHB Regulatory Achievement
Important Step Forward on Waters of the U.S. Rule We are pleased to announce that the Trump administration today released its proposed new definition for “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) that will resolve years …