Development Services
About Development Services
The City of Brenham would like to thank you for choosing our City for your future project. We consider our community stakeholders our customers and partners for a viable long term successful community. We welcome all new projects to our community and believe a diverse economy is not only a good thing but a necessary thing for everyone's long term success.
Department Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 1059, Brenham, TX 77834-1059
Physical Address: City Hall, 200 W. Vulcan St., Brenham, TX 77833
Operating Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday
Main Contact Phone: 979-337-7220
Inspection Request Line: 979-337-7220
Main Fax: 979-337-7218
General Email Inquiries: Please contact Sarah Hill.
Contact Us
Main Contact Phone: 979-337-7220
| Development Services Director | Stephanie Doland | 979-337-7269 |
| City Planner | Shauna Laauwe, AICP | 979-337-7215 |
| Building Official | Allen Jacobs | 979-337-7214 |
| Assistant Building Official | David Doelitsch | 979-337-7216 |
| Environmental Health Specialist | Mark Pierce | 979-337-7213 |
| Airport Manager | Debora Pinto | 979-337-7232 |
| Planning Technician & Airport Coordinator |
Kim Hodde | 979-337-7212 |
| Administrative Assistant | Sarah Hill | 979-337-7211 |
| Building Inspector | Cody Sorensen | 979-337-7219 |
| Code Compliance Inspector | Don Clark | 979-337-7221 |
| GIS/Mapping | Mason Patranella | 979-337-7421 |
Development Services works closely with Public Utilities, Engineering, Airport, and Brenham Economic Development to carry out its mission.
Mission
The Development Services Department strives to provide the public with support and information to build and maintain an attractive city in which to live, work, and play.
Principal Responsibilities
The Development Services Department offers professional advice and technical expertise on development related topics. Specifically, the department provides development services including zoning, platting, land use, building permits, sign permits, inspections, code enforcement, and health inspections. The department is comprised of the following four divisions:
Popular Links & Resources
- Permits & Applications Page
- Permits, Applications, & Inspections Fee Schedule
- Contractor Registration Form
- Code Of Ordinances
- Current Building Codes
- Comprehensive Plan, Plan 2040: Historic Past, Bold Future
- Monthly Building Permit Data
- Newly Adopted Sign Ordinance
- Non-Building Licensing & Permitting
- Asbestos Survey and Notification Requirements - TDSHA
Customer Service Survey
Help us improve our services by providing feedback. Please click to take our 2-minute customer satisfaction survey.
Permits and Applications
The City of Brenham would like to thank you for choosing our City for your future project. We consider our community stakeholders our customers and partners for a viable long-term successful community. We welcome all new projects to our community and believe a diverse economy is not only a good thing but a necessary thing for everyone's long term success. We also understand the costs associated with new or existing remodel construction projects. We will do our best to work with our customers to make sure we can process all projects in an expedient manner to ensure costs associated with dealing with the City of Brenham are kept to a minimum.
Jump to Vendor/Solicitor, Mobile Home, or Health & Food Safety
Development Services Checklists & Helpful Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I Need A Permit?
- Site Plan Submission Requirements
- Commercial Plan Review Checklist
- Residential Plan Review Checklist
- Residential Site Plan Submittal Example
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)
- Fee Schedule
- Utility Tap Fees
- Manufactured Home Installation Requirements
Building Permits
Permit applications along with a set of plans are required for projects within the City. There is a ten business day plan review process unless special circumstances/delays occur which could extend the plan review process. No work may be performed until a permit has been issued by the city and permit fees received.
- General Application Plan Review
- Building Permit Application
- Electrical Permit Application
- Mechanical Permit Application
- Plumbing Permit Application
- Fire Permit Application
- Sign Permit Application
- Network Node ROW Permit
- Construction Permit Application
- Floodplain Permit Application
Inspections
Inspections must be scheduled one business day in advance by the contractor by calling 979-337-7220.
Planning Applications
- Plat Application
- Preliminary Plat/Master Plan
- ROW Abandonment Permit
- Special Exception Application
- Variance Request (to Appendix A) Application
- Variance Request (to Subdivision Ordinance) Application
- Zone Change and Specific Use Permit Request Application
- Zoning Text Amendment Application
- Zoning Verification Form
Application Deadline Calendar
Contractor Resources
Insurance
Residential and commercial general contractors shall provide general liability insurance. Residential and commercial subcontractors shall provide general liability insurance. The City of Brenham is required to be the Certificate Holder.
State License
Contractors that are licensed by the state must provide the city with a copy of their current license and driver's license. A Master may sign a statement that allows a person with a Journeyman's License to perform work under their license.
Mobile Home Park Permits
The City of Brenham requires the owners of all mobile home parks within the city limits to obtain an annual Mobile Home Park Permit in the name of their park.
Permits cost $5.00 per space and must be renewed every January 1st. To apply for a Mobile Home Park Permit, please contact Development Services at 979-337-7220.
Vendor/Solicitor Permits
The City requires that all vendors, solicitors, peddlers, and handbill distributors obtain a permit before operating within the city limits. Applications for vendors/solicitors permits can be picked up at the Development Services Office (Main Lobby in City Hall), or by clicking here.
As outlined in the City's ordinance, once an application is submitted, the City will investigate the truth and accuracy of the information provided and a permit will be issued within five (5) business days. If for any reason an application is denied, the applicant will be notified in writing.
The cost of a permit is $25.00 along with a per-person badge fee of $10.00 (if applicable). All permits are valid for thirty (45) days from the date of issuance.
For more detailed information or assistance, please call the Development Services Office at 979-337-7220
Health & Food Safety Applications
- Fixed Food Establishment Permit Application
- Mobile Food Establishment Application & Guidelines
- Temporary Food Event Application
- Temporary Food Event Presentation
Development Codes & Ordinances
Municipal Code
The following chapters of the Brenham Code of Ordinances pertaining to the Development Services Department:
- Chapter 6: Buildings and Structures
- Chapter 8: Fire Protection and Prevention
- Chapter 12: Health and Sanitation
- Chapter 14: Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes and Manufactured Home Parks
- Chapter 21: Signs
- Chapter 23: Subdivisions
- Appendix A: Zoning
Adopted Building Codes
The City of Brenham has adopted the 2018 version of the International Building Codes, including the following codes:
- 2018 International Building Code (IBC)
- 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
- 2017 National Electric Code (NEC)
- 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
- 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
- 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
- 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
- 2018 International Residential Code (IRC)
- 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
Please reference Chapter 6: Building and Structures of the Brenham Code of Ordinances for a complete list of local amendments to the adopted codes.
Note: Please click here to see a summary of significant changes between the 2015 and 2018 adopted codes.
Design Standards & Specifications
Adopted Long-Range Plans
- Comprehensive Plan – Historic Past, Bold Future: Plan 2040
- Downtown Master Plan
- Parks Master Plan
- Library Strategic Plan
- Thoroughfare Plan
- Tourism Strategic Action Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
- Building Department: Residential and Commercial use Building Permits - questions 1-11
- Planning and Development: Land use and Local Ordinances - Questions 12-18
1. Where is the City of Brenham Development Service Department located and what are the hours of operation?
2. When is a permit required?
3. How long does the review process take on residential and commercial projects?
4. What is the cost of a permit?
5. What forms of payment are accepted?
6. What is a Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.)
7. Is a permit required to occupy or use a lease space?
8. Can a portion of the building or structure be occupied prior to the completion of the entire building or structure?
9. When can utilities be turned on?
10. What construction can occur on property before issuance of a building permit, and when can dirt work being on a permit?
11. Can an application be made for a building permit while the site is being platted or zoning is pending?
12. Where can a plat be obtained for an existing platted property?
13. Where can information be found on what uses are allowed on a particular property?
14. How is a zoning change or a special use permit obtained on a parcel of land?
15. How are right-of-way dedication widths determined?
16. When is right-of-way required to be dedicated?
17. How is a variance from the Zoning Ordinance obtained?
18. Can a variance or waiver be obtained to the Subdivision Ordinance?