City of Houston to pilot new permitting program to reduce turnaround time

HOUSTON – The process to get a permit with the City of Houston is about to get a whole lot more efficient.

According to Mayor John Whitmire, starting Monday, July 7, the Houston Permitting Center will launch a new pilot permit program where the goal will be to create a 30-day turnaround for single-family residential homes.

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This is great news for residents who have, historically, been frustrated with the old ways; something the mayor said he heard throughout his mayoral campaign and one of the promises he aimed to keep if elected.

“This certainly conforms to one of my campaign pledges to reform the permitting process in the City of Houston,” Mayor Whitmire said. “I’ve heard repeatedly that people would not do business with the City of Houston in the home building industry because it would take up to a year to get a permit.”

permits in 30 business days or less.

This is part of a broader effort to:
•Streamline development
•Eliminate costly delays
•Modernize City operations
•Restore confidence in local government

Learn more: https://t.co/pvUaWp1yEi pic.twitter.com/c8l8iAG8W9

— Houston Mayor’s Office (@houmayor) July 4, 2025

Among the efforts for this quicker process are:

• Streamline development

• Eliminate costly delays

• Modernize City operations

• Restore confidence in local government

“I’m excited about this pilot project with a goal of improving housing in the City of Houston,” he concluded. “It will improve affordability; it will create jobs, so I am really excited about it. All I can say right now is: Let’s go to work.”

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Learn more about the Houston Permitting Center by visiting their website.

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