Houston does not impose traditional municipal impact fees on residential ADUs. The Houston Permitting Center charges only standard permit and plan-review fees plus utility tap fees. Houston Public Works charges water and wastewater capacity fees where new service connections are required.
Unlike California or Oregon jurisdictions, Houston does not levy school impact fees, traffic impact fees, or park impact fees on residential ADU construction. Fees that do apply: standard building permit fees scaled to construction value (typically $145-$500 for a small garage apartment), plan review fees, and trade permit fees for electrical/plumbing/mechanical work. Houston Public Works charges water and wastewater capacity reservation fees if a separate meter is installed (typically $400-$2,500 depending on meter size). If the ADU shares utilities with the main dwelling, no new capacity fees apply. Drainage impact fees may apply for properties triggering Chapter 19 stormwater requirements (new impervious surface over thresholds). Harris County Appraisal District will reassess property value after construction, increasing property tax liability.
Failure to pay permit fees results in stop-work orders. Unpaid utility capacity fees prevent connection. Unauthorized utility taps result in disconnection plus penalties. Unpermitted construction discovered later faces doubled fees plus enforcement fines.
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See how Houston's adu impact fees rules stack up against other locations.
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