Houston Permitting Center
Houston, TX
Avg Review
18d
Rejection Rate
30%
Skill Files
8
Status
Low Risk
Ventilation — Type I Hood (IBC/IMC)
IMC 507 / NFPA 96 / 2018 IBCType I hood required over all cooking producing grease-laden vapors. Exhaust rate per IMC Table 507.2.1. Makeup air minimum 80% of exhaust volume. No zoning restrictions for commercial kitchen hood systems in most commercial zones. Duct material: 16-gauge minimum carbon steel or 18-gauge stainless.
Examiner Note: Houston reviews are generally straightforward. Ensure duct routing is clearly shown and does not pass through residential occupancies if mixed-use.
Common rejection: Duct routing through non-approved occupancy; makeup air unit specifications missing
Correction: Show duct routing on M-1 avoiding residential occupancies. Provide makeup air unit specifications including CFM capacity matching exhaust system.
Fire — Suppression & Sprinkler
NFPA 96 / 2018 IBC §903 / Houston Fire CodeUL 300 system required for Type I hoods. Automatic sprinkler per IBC 903.2.1.3 when cooking area exceeds thresholds. Houston Fire Marshal reviews suppression plans. Manual pull stations per NFPA 72. Portable K-class extinguisher within 30 feet of cooking.
Examiner Note: Houston Fire Marshal is a separate review from building permit. Submit fire protection plans directly to HFD.
Common rejection: Fire protection plans not submitted to Houston Fire Marshal separately from building permit
Correction: Submit fire protection plans separately to Houston Fire Marshal (HFD). Include UL 300 system design, sprinkler layout, fire alarm devices, and K-class extinguisher locations.
Plumbing — Grease Trap & Fixtures (UPC)
2018 UPC §1009 / §1014 / Houston COH Ch. 47Grease interceptor required per UPC 1014 for all commercial kitchen waste. Houston City Ordinance Ch. 47 requires grease trap maintenance records. 3-compartment sink required. Handwash station within 25 feet of food prep. Backflow prevention assembly required on all water supply. Floor drains required in kitchen areas with indirect waste.
Examiner Note: Houston reviews grease interceptor sizing per fixture-unit method. External interceptor preferred and must be shown on civil/site plan with access for pumping.
Common rejection: Grease interceptor not shown on site plan; no maintenance access route for pumping truck
Correction: Show grease interceptor location on site plan with maintenance access route. Size per UPC 1014 fixture-unit method on P-1. Include backflow preventer detail on water service.
Electrical — Kitchen Panel & GFCI (NEC)
2017 NEC Art 210 / Art 422 / Houston Electrical CodeMinimum 200A service per kitchen bay. GFCI protection within 6 feet of water sources per NEC 210.8(B). Dedicated circuits for each major appliance over 1,500W. Emergency disconnect accessible and within sight of equipment per NEC 422.33. Panel schedule required on plans.
Examiner Note: Houston requires panel schedule with circuit directory on electrical plans. Straightforward review — ensure NEC compliance.
Common rejection: Panel schedule not provided on electrical plans; GFCI not called out at all required locations
Correction: Provide complete panel schedule on E-1 with circuit directory. Mark GFCI protection on all outlets within 6 feet of water sources. Show emergency disconnect location for each major appliance.
Health — Houston Health Dept Kitchen Review
Houston COH Ch. 20 / Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) 25 TAC §228Texas Food Establishment Rules apply. Handwash sink within 25 feet of food prep (walking path). 3-compartment sink with drainboards. Food-grade wall finishes (FRP or SS) behind cooking to 6 feet AFF. Sealed floors with coved base. Pest control: sealed penetrations, self-closing doors, no gaps. Adequate refrigeration and dry storage shown on plan.
Examiner Note: Houston Health Dept (HDHHS) reviews plans separately. Straightforward but strict on handwash proximity.
Common rejection: Handwash sink distance exceeds 25 feet by walking path; wall finish not specified behind cooking equipment
Correction: Show handwash sink within 25-foot walking path on plan. Specify FRP or stainless steel wall finish behind cooking line to 6' AFF. Add coved base detail. Note self-closing doors at entries.
Structural — Houston Wind & Floor Loads
2018 IBC §1607 / ASCE 7 / Houston AmendmentsFloor live load 150 PSF for commercial kitchen. Wind design per ASCE 7 (Houston: 130 mph basic wind speed, Risk Category II). Equipment anchorage for rooftop units. Houston does not require seismic design (SDC A). Stamped structural calculations by TX PE required for occupancy changes.
Examiner Note: Houston structural review is streamlined. Wind load calculations needed for rooftop equipment. No seismic anchorage required.
Common rejection: Wind load analysis missing for rooftop HVAC/exhaust equipment; structural calcs not stamped by TX PE
Correction: Provide wind load analysis for rooftop equipment per ASCE 7 (130 mph). Include stamped structural calculations by Texas-licensed PE. Show equipment anchorage details on S-1.
ADA — Houston Accessibility (TAS)
2018 IBC Ch 11 / Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) / 2010 ADATexas Accessibility Standards (TAS) enforced in addition to federal ADA. Accessible route minimum 36 inches wide. Accessible restroom with 60-inch turning radius. TAS requires accessible signage with Braille. Door hardware operable with one hand. Existing building renovations: path-of-travel upgrades required when renovation exceeds 50% of building value.
Examiner Note: Houston enforces TAS which closely follows ADA but Texas TDLR registration is required for all accessibility projects. File with TDLR before submitting to Houston.
Common rejection: TDLR registration not completed before permit submission; accessible signage not shown on plans
Correction: Complete TDLR project registration before submitting permit to Houston. Show accessible signage with Braille on A-1. Dimension accessible route and restroom per TAS.
Egress — Houston Exit Requirements
2018 IBC §1006 / §1017 / Houston AmendmentsTwo exits required when occupant load exceeds 49. Maximum travel distance: 250 feet (unsprinklered), 300 feet (sprinklered). Exit signs per IBC 1013. Exit width calculated per occupant load. Dead-end corridors limited to 20 feet (50 feet sprinklered). Panic hardware required on exit doors serving 50+ occupants.
Examiner Note: Houston egress review is standard IBC. Ensure occupant load calculation is on the plans.
Common rejection: Occupant load calculation not shown on plans; exit door swing direction incorrect for occupant load
Correction: Add occupant load calculation table on A-1 per IBC 1004.5. Show exit doors swinging in direction of travel for 50+ occupants. Dimension exit door widths.