Commercial Construction

Before you begin commercial construction within the City of Seabrook, you must contact the City of Seabrook Building Department. Permits are required, and certain guidelines and codes must be followed.

Do I Need a Permit?

Most construction projects within the City of Seabrook require a building permit. Exceptions may be made for cosmetic changes and non-structural repairs such as painting, tile, carpet, cabinets, and fixture replacements (direct disconnect and reconnect). If you're unsure if your project requires a permit, contact the Building Department for clarification.

Click here to view a list of projects that require permits.

Permits must be issued by the Building Department before work begins, and applications need approval from department staff. Fees are calculated during the review, and you can pay them online or in person with cash, check, MasterCard, or Visa. Phone payments are not accepted.

How do I obtain a Building Permit?

Homeowners, General Contractors, and Licensed Trade Contractors must complete a Permit Application Form.

Contractors performing work within the City of Seabrook must register with the Building Department.

Required Documents For Commercial Construction or Development

For commercial construction or development, the developer is required to submit the plans for review by the City Planner.

The owner, architect, or general contractor must submit a completed Building Permit Application along with the following documents to the Building Department for plan review and approval (please provide information in a digital format):

  • Plot Plan and Site Survey
    • Provide a proposed plot plan showing the location of the structure on the site, including dimensions to adjacent property lines, the location of mechanical equipment, the location of proposed paving, and all setbacks and utility easements. Include arrows showing the direction of the proposed site drainage. Also, include a legal description. The survey must have been completed by a professional surveyor and must have their stamp or seal. 
  • Elevation Certificate
  • Energy Code Certification
    • A third-party prepared and signed Recheck or equivalent construction energy analysis document, along with a construction inspection checklist, must be provided for review. 
  • Electrical Load Analysis
    • An Electric Load Analysis and Service One Line Diagram is required with the submittal of all new residences. 
  • Architectural Plans
    • A complete set of floor plans/blueprints with calculations, including, but not limited to, elevations, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural.
    • The plans must show and dimension all building lines & easements at a suitable scale: 1/4" = 1’ unless otherwise noted, including square footage of habitable and non-habitable space. 
  • Foundation Plan(s)
    • All copies must have a Texas-registered Structural Engineer’s seal and signature, and documentation must include the engineer's Firm Number. Digital Seals or scans of wet seals are acceptable.
  • Framing Plans
    • Framing plans must include structural ceilings, floors, roofs, and walls. All new home construction must be signed and sealed by a registered Texas Structural Engineer and must include the engineer's Firm Number. Digital Seals or scans of wet seals are acceptable.
  • Windstorm Requirements
    • All structures must meet the City’s adopted wind design requirement of 150 mph (Ultimate) wind speed. All plans, details, and calculations must be signed and sealed by a registered Texas Structural Engineer, and the engineer must be on the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) list of registered engineers to work in high wind zones. Digital Seals or scans of wet seals are acceptable.
  • V-Zone Certificate
    • All construction in a FEMA Designated Coastal Hi Hazard Flood Zone (VE and V Zones) must submit the first half of the city’s V-Zone Certificate certifying the foundation design and design of any breakaway enclosure below the design flood elevation. The second half of the document is to be submitted before scheduling a final inspection. This form is to be filled out by a Qualified Texas PE. 
  • Breakaway Wall Certificate
    • The addition of enclosures below the design flood elevation in a FEMA Designated Coastal Hi Hazard Flood Zone (VE and V Zones) must submit the city’s  Breakaway Wall Certificate before final Inspection. This form, certifying the design and construction of breakaway walls and enclosure below the design flood elevation, is to be filled out by a Qualified Texas PE. 
  • Dry Floodproofing Certificate
    • For commercial properties only. This FEMA form is used to provide design information for design, construction, and operational measures to provide dry floodproofing protection of buildings with a finished floor elevation 2' or less below the design flood elevation. The NFIP Dry Floodproofing Form must be submitted initially with the plan submittal and again once fully completed before final inspections. This form is to be filled out by a Qualified Texas PE.  
    • Approval by the fire marshal (If Applicable)
    • Approval by the Harris County Health Department (if Applicable)


The general contractor or licensed trade contractor will need to fill out a permit application form available at Seabrook City Hall or online from our Permits Page.

Permits may also be submitted digitally along with supporting documentation and plans to permits@seabrooktx.gov.