The Houston Health Department responds to complaints concerning improperly maintained swimming pools/spas, and reviews and regulates all new residential swimming pool/spa constructions to ensure compliance withTexas State standards for public pools and spas. Visit HoustonPermittingCenter.org and sign-up for eNews updates on Houston Code: HERE. Much of the city was built on forested land, marshes, or swamps, and all are still visible in surrounding areas. water surface only in adjacent county, This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. Before Hurricane Harvey, the city had bought $10.7 million in houses in this area specifically to take them out of danger. PDF Multifamily Minimum Property Standards v3 07-018 - City of Houston About 20% of Houston-area residents claimed no religious affiliation, compared to about 23% nationwide. Houston has hosted several major sports events: the 1968, 1986 and 2004 Major League Baseball All-Star Games; the 1989, 2006 and 2013 NBA All-Star Games; Super Bowl VIII, Super Bowl XXXVIII, and Super Bowl LI, as well as hosting the 1981, 1986, 1994 and 1995 NBA Finals, winning the latter two, and hosting the 2005 World Series, 2017 World Series, 2019 World Series, 2021 World Series and 2022 World Series. A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Houston the 23rd most walkable of the 50 largest cities in the United States. Construction Code Modernization Project . Office of Sustainability Education. [325] The Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan, updated annually, establishes the city's street hierarchy, identifies roadways in need of widening, and proposes new roadways in unserved areas. [173], Houston's Jewish community, estimated at 47,000 in 2001, has been present in the city since the 1800s. [328] The Uptown Line, which runs along Post Oak Boulevard in Uptown,[329] was under construction as a bus rapid transit linethe city's firstwhile the University Line has been postponed indefinitely. [271][discuss], Houston's murder rate ranked 46th of U.S. cities with a population over 250,000 in 2005 (per capita rate of 16.3 murders per 100,000 population). The museum houses the original Popemobile used by Pope John Paul II in the 1980s along with numerous hearses, embalming displays, and information on famous funerals. Building Codes - Texas However, this proposed change has been postponed until the next code cycle. The region's geology developed from river deposits formed from the erosion of the Rocky Mountains. [202], In 2008, Houston received top ranking on Kiplinger's Personal Finance "Best Cities of 2008" list, which ranks cities on their local economy, employment opportunities, reasonable living costs, and quality of life. The HoustonThe WoodlandsSugar Land metropolitan area is served by one public television station and two public radio stations. Houston is the southeast anchor of the greater megaregion known as the Texas Triangle.[7]. [325] Roadway classification affects anticipated traffic volumes, roadway design, and right of way breadth. WHY IS PROTECTION REQUIRED ON RESIDENTIAL WATER SOFTENERS? [102] The coldest temperature officially recorded in Houston was 5F (15C) on January 18, 1930. In response to Hurricane Harvey, Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston initiated plans to require developers to build homes that will be less susceptible to flooding by raising them two feet above the 500-year floodplain. [145], In 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, non-Hispanic whites made up 23.3% of the population of Houston proper, Hispanics and Latino Americans 45.8%, Blacks or African Americans 22.4%, and Asian Americans 6.5%. Bayou Bend is the former home of Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg.[240]. [106][109], Houston has excessive ozone levels and is routinely ranked among the most ozone-polluted cities in the United States. Toyota Center also has the largest screen for an indoor arena in the United States built to coincide with the arena's hosting of the 2013 NBA All-Star Game. After five years, 80.5% of graduates are still living and working in the region. More than 12 feet (3658 mm) above the finished ground level at any point. Compressed gases in solution are nonliquefied gases that are dissolved in a solvent. Due to the boom in defense jobs, thousands of new workers migrated to the city, both blacks, and whites competing for the higher-paying jobs. Home | City of Houston - Houston Public Works Code of Ordinances Chapter 40. The Houston Post was owned by the family of former Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby of Houston. Elevators in buildings located in the 100- and 500-year floodplains,and/orthat travel below surface level, must include a water sensor installed in the elevator shaft. The JPMorgan Chase Tower is the tallest building in Texas and the tallest 5-sided building in the world. [110] Ground-level ozone, or smog, is Houston's predominant air pollution problem, with the American Lung Association rating the metropolitan area's ozone level twelfth on the "Most Polluted Cities by Ozone" in 2017, after major cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, New York City, and Denver. The Texas Medical Center is home to a high density of health professions schools, including two medical schools: McGovern Medical School, part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and Baylor College of Medicine, a highly selective private institution. [112] The rankings are in terms of peak-based standards, focusing strictly on the worst days of the year; the average ozone levels in Houston are lower than what is seen in most other areas of the country, as dominant winds ensure clean, marine air from the Gulf. In 2000 there were over 41 mosques and storefront religious centers, with the largest being the Al-Noor Mosque (Mosque of Light) of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston. [165] Since 2005, it has occupied the former Compaq Center sports stadium. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. [11] The Republic of Texas granted Houston incorporation on June 5, 1837, as James S. Holman became its first mayor. [157], Houston and its metropolitan area are the third-most religious and Christian area by percentage of population in the United States, and second in Texas behind the DallasFort Worth metroplex. The term shall not include parking garages. Houston is home to 337 parks, including Hermann Park, Terry Hershey Park, Lake Houston Park, Memorial Park, Tranquility Park, Sesquicentennial Park, Discovery Green, Buffalo Bayou Park and Sam Houston Park. Paul Broussard was murdered in Montrose in 1991. The 88-mile (142km) State Highway Beltway8, often referred to as the Beltway, forms the middle loop at a radius of roughly 10 miles (16km). Revisions to existing projects are submitted under the codes used during the original plan review. The MPS supplement local building codes by requiring properties to meet minimum standards of workmanship, durability and performance of various components of the multifamily property [344] In 2006, the United States Department of Transportation named IAH the fastest-growing of the top ten airports in the United States. [155] Houston elected the first openly lesbian mayor of a major city in 2009, and she served until 2016. It may be associated with slip along the faults; however, the slippage is slow and not considered an earthquake, where stationary faults must slip suddenly enough to create seismic waves. The region is serviced by four spoke tollways: a set of managed lanes on the Katy Freeway; the Hardy Toll Road, which parallels Interstate 45 north of Downtown up to Spring; the Westpark Tollway, which services Houston's western suburbs out to Fulshear; and Fort Bend Parkway, which connects to Sienna Plantation. The city's fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Construction Code Amendments | Houston Permitting Center PDF Presentation to Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee Municode Library Create Code Words for formal interpretations and provide written interpretation of the Houston codes. [126] The median age was 33.1, up from 32.9 in 2017 and down from 33.5 in 2014; the city's youthfulness has been attributed to an influx of an African American New Great Migration, Hispanic and Latino American, and Asian immigrants into Texas. [312] A commuting study estimated the median length of commute in the region was 12.2 miles (19.6km) in 2012. [191] Unlike most places, high oil and gasoline prices are beneficial for Houston's economy, as many of its residents are employed in the energy industry. Bayou Place is a large multilevel building containing full-service restaurants, bars, live music, billiards, and Sundance Cinema. Code Development The main functions of the Code Development and Regulatory Affairs section include: Coordinate, draft and recommend code amendments. [174], Houston has a large and diverse Muslim community; it is the largest in Texas and the Southern United States, as of 2012. [337] Houston City Council approved the Houston Bike Plan in March 2017, at that time entering the plan into the Houston Code of Ordinances. Building Code Enforcement | Houston Permitting Center [196], The University of Houston System's annual impact on the Houston area's economy equates to that of a major corporation: $1.1 billion in new funds attracted annually to the Houston area, $3.13 billion in total economic benefit, and 24,000 local jobs generated. The Houston Permitting Center combines the majority of the City of Houston's permitting and licensing into one convenient location. Yes. Chapter 2 Definitions dropdown_collapsed Created with Sketch. Additionally, both Texas Southern University and the University of Houston have pharmacy schools, and the University of Houston hosts a medical school and a college of optometry. Construction Code Modernization | Houston Permitting Center [162] The same study says area residents who identify with other religions (including Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism) collectively made up about 7% of the area population.[162]. In an attempt to take action following Hurricane Harvey, the City of Houston has taken an aggressive, accelerated and largely emotional response by adopting onerous building and drainage regulation changes . Earthbound Houstonians consider something uplifting", "Hammered by heavy rain and huge hail Thursday night, Houston braces for more downpours, flooding", National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "Houston Journal; Broiling on the Outside, But, Really, It's No Sweat", Texas hit with snow as winter weather system aims for Northeast, "Snow in Houston: It Happens More Than You Think", "3 Reasons Houston Was A 'Sitting Duck' For Harvey Flooding", "Remembering Houston's Memorial Day Flood, one of America's costliest floods", "Revisiting Houston's Tax Day Floods one year later", "Hurricane Harvey makes landfall in Texas", "Houston fears climate change will cause catastrophic flooding: 'It's not if, it's when', State of the Air 2005, National and Regional Analysis, "The paradox of peak-based ozone air pollution standards", "WMO Climate Normals for HOUSTON/INTERCONTINENTAL, TX 19611990", "Houston council approves changes to floodplain regulations in effort to reduce flood damage", "What's in Houston's worst flood zones? [255] Houston will host multiple matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. [161], According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, 73% of the population of the Houston area identified themselves as Christians, about 50% of whom claimed Protestant affiliations and about 19% claimed Roman Catholic affiliations. [32] In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt approved a $1 million improvement project for the Houston Ship Channel. They paid $5,000 total, but only $1,000 of this in cash; notes made up the remainder. [63] Downtown stands about 50 feet (15m) above sea level,[64] and the highest point in far northwest Houston is about 150 feet (46m) in elevation. The October 2013 event was held using a tweaked version of the 20062007 course. [201] Twenty-five foreign banks representing 13 nations operate in Houston, providing financial assistance to the international community. [192] Houston is the beginning or end point of numerous oil, gas, and products pipelines. Rice University, the most selective university in Texas and one of the most selective in the United States,[290] is a private, secular institution with a high level of research activity. In 2020, the Public Religion Research Institute estimated 40% were Protestant and 29% Catholic; overall, Christianity represented 72% of the population. STREETS AND SIDEWALKS Chapter 40. Crime Report Table 4 ". These were the first international flights flown from Hobby since the opening of Bush Intercontinental in 1969. The Astrodome, nicknamed the "Eighth Wonder of the World",[43] opened in 1965 as the world's first indoor domed sports stadium. During maintenance by workers, equipment and materials; During the life of the structure by movable objects such as planters or other similar small decorative appurtenances that are not occupancy related; or. [109] The majority of rainfall occurs between April and October (the wet season of Southeast Texas), when the moisture from the Gulf of Mexico evaporates extensively over the city. PDF The Houston Construction Code - Houston Airport System Outside of Houston:713-837-0311 [186] The Houston Ship Channel is also a large part of Houston's economic base. [52][53] In May 2015, seven people died after 12 inches of rain fell in 10 hours during what is known as the Memorial Day Flood. Though primarily in Harris County, small portions of the city extend into Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, bordering other principal communities of Greater Houston such as Sugar Land and The Woodlands. [339], Houston's bicycle sharing system started service with nineteen stations in May 2012. Arterial roads are organized into four categories, in decreasing order of intensity: major thoroughfares, transit corridor streets, collector streets, and local streets. Harris County Engineering Department - Permits > Commercial [303] All 49 member institutions of the Texas Medical Center are non-profit organizations. Chapter 40 - street names Walkable Places and Transit-Oriented Development Ordinance Houston Public Work's regulations are also listed on municode and their HPW program web pages, including Chapter 19 - floodplain management. [13][14] The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled. All rights reserved. The Houston Community College System (HCC) serves most of Houston proper; its main campus and headquarters are in Midtown. [49] In June 2001, Tropical Storm Allison dumped up to 40 inches (1,000mm) of rain on parts of Houston, causing what was then the worst flooding in the city's history and billions of dollars in damage, and killed 20 people in Texas. [67], Houston has four major bayous passing through the city that accept water from the extensive drainage system. Houston is the seat of the Texas Medical Center, which is the largest medical center in the world,[302] and which describes itself as containing the world's largest concentration of research and healthcare institutions. In addition, some public school districts also have their own charter schools. ultimately comply with the City of Houston's adopted residential codes and the funding source contributor's residential construction standards, rules, and regulations. [263] At-large council members represent the entire city. Venues across Houston regularly host local and touring rock, blues, country, dubstep, and Tejano musical acts. [17], The Houston area occupies land that was home of the Karankawa (k rangk w,-w,-w) and the Atakapa (tkp) indigenous peoples for at least 2,000 years before the first known settlers arrived. Residential Pools | Houston Health Department Physical changes such as pressure tank ruptures. [111] The industries along the ship channel are a major cause of the city's air pollution. Greater Houston possesses a hub-and-spoke limited-access highway system, in which a number of freeways radiate outward from Downtown, with ring roads providing connections between these radial highways at intermediate distances from the city center. [168] In 2013 Father John Whiteford, the pastor of St. Jonah Orthodox Church near Spring, stated there were about 6,000-9,000 Eastern Orthodox Christians in Houston. Leading in healthcare sectors and building oilfield equipment, Houston has the second-most Fortune 500 headquarters of any U.S. municipality within its city limits (after New York City). [14] The Houston area is the top U.S. market for exports, surpassing New York City in 2013, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. "[23], The Allen brothers ran their first advertisement for Houston just four days later in the Telegraph and Texas Register, naming the notional town in honor of President Sam Houston. Beneath the layers of sediment is a water-deposited layer of halite, a rock salt. If you feel a . DOES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING NEED A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN FOR INSTALLATION? As of 2017[update] some councilmembers who served two terms and won a final term will have served eight years in office, whereas a freshman councilmember who won a position in 2013 can serve up to two additional terms under the previous term limit lawa select few will have at least 10 years of incumbency once their term expires. Houston was the headquarters of Continental Airlines until its 2010 merger with United Airlines with headquarters in Chicago; regulatory approval for the merger was granted in October of that year. A system of toll roads, operated by the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) and Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority (FBCTRA), provides additional options for regional commuters. City of Houston, Texas, Ordinance No. 2021-1037 AN ORDINANCE RELATING Business occupancies shall include, but not be limited to, the following: The U. S. Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coasts where the ultimate design wind speed. [95] Houston's characteristic subtropical humidity often results in a higher apparent temperature, and summer mornings average over 90% relative humidity. Members of the floor construction and roof construction having direct connections to the columns. [261] Under the city charter, once the population in the city limits exceeded 2.1 million residents, two additional districts were to be added. 1.7 inches of snow fell at George Bush Intercontinental Airport the previous day. [194] Only 27 countries other than the United States have a gross domestic product exceeding Houston's regional gross area product (GAP). [95], Houston has mild winters, with occasional cold spells. Renewable energy sourceswind and solarare also growing economic bases in the city,[181][182] and the City Government purchases 90% of its annual 1 TWh power mostly from wind, and some from solar. While not in Tornado Alley, like much of Northern Texas, spring supercell thunderstorms sometimes bring tornadoes to the area. Comprising a land area of 640.4 square miles (1,659km2),[8] Houston is the ninth-most expansive city in the United States (including consolidated city-counties). Major freeways in Greater Houston are often referred to by either the cardinal direction or geographic location they travel towards. [154], Before the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States the marriage of Billie Ert and Antonio Molina, considered the first same-sex marriage in Texas history, took place on October 5, 1972. Typical Building Setbacks in the City of Houston - WGI No, the proposed elimination of the permit exemption for low voltage wiring (50 volts or less) does not require installation to be completed by a licensed electrician. Within Hermann Park are the Houston Zoo and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. [344] The four-runway, 1,304-acre (528-hectare) facility is approximately 7 miles (11km) southeast of Downtown Houston.