Permits and Applications

Development Codes & Ordinances

Common Code Violations

Boards and Commissions

GIS Mapping Services

Comprehensive Plan

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.

Contact Us

Main Contact Phone: 979-337-7220

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:

• Planning
• Building Inspections
• Code Compliance
• Health Inspections

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

Customer Service Survey

Help us improve our services by providing feedback. Please click to take our 2-minute customer satisfaction survey.

Back to Top

Permits and Applications

Back to Top

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.

• Residential Checklist

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

• 2021 - Board of Adjustment
• 2021 - Planning and Zoning

Contractor Resources

• Contractor Registration Form

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 $3.00 (if applicable). All permits are valid for thirty (30) 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

Back to Top

Development Codes & Ordinances

Back to Top

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 currently has adopted the 2015 International Codes and the 2014 National Electrical Code, but will soon be adopting 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

• Design Standards
• Standard Specifications
• Installation of Network Nodes and Node Support Poles

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

Back to Top