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 …
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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 …
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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 …
Government Affairs: A 2018 Year in Review
As we turn the page on another year and look forward in anticipation of what 2019 has in store, we need to look back and reflect on both the good and bad of 2018. It …
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City of Houston Floodplain and Drainage Regulations
The City of Houston recently made some major revisions to Chapter 19, the floodplain ordinance, and to Chapters 9 and 13 regarding drainage in the infrastructure design manual. These new regulation changes went into effect on …
Waters of the U.S. Rule Implementation Halted in Texas
Recently, there has been much confusion over the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) joint Clean Water Act (CWA) “Waters of the U.S.”(WOTUS) definition and …
New Regulations for the City of Houston Effective September 1
In an attempt to take action following Hurricane Harvey, the City of Houston has taken an aggressive, accelerated and largely emotional response by adopting onerous building and drainage regulation changes that went into effect on …
Congressman John Culberson at Developers Council
On August 1, the GHBA Developers Council hosted Congressman John Culberson (CD-7) who discussed his work on securing federal funds for Harvey recovery and infrastructure projects in his role as a subcommittee chairman of the …
City of Houston Passes Ordinance Expanding Regulation in Floodplains
Last week the Houston City Council voted to dramatically increase regulations on building within the 100 and 500 year floodplains. The proposal to amend Chapter 19, the City’s Floodplain Regulation Ordinance, was first introduced in …
2018 Primary Elections Recap
In the age of social media, 24 hour news and amplified political polarization, there is a perceived lack of pragmatism and a belief that neither side is willing to work together to craft prudent public policy. …
Contracting Practices for a Post-Hurricane Harvey World
In light of the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, we want to remind builders and contractors of certain best practices and laws that apply to the industry as a whole and specifically for disaster …
The Tree Bill: A Victory for Property Rights
Texas Legislative Special Session Has Adjourned Sine Die On Tuesday, August 15, the Texas Legislature adjourned the First Called Special Session of the 85th Texas Legislature, concluding on the 29th day of the constitutionally mandated …