FAQs • Stafford, TX • CivicEngage

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Building Permits and Inspections

1. What can I do at my property?: What you can do depends upon the "Zoning" your property falls under. The term Zoning defines allowable land use. Zoning regulations are intended to protect existing land uses and make sure that uses are compatible with each other and that there is available public facilities and services. View the Zoning and Planning Division page.

2. What is the process for obtaining a Construction Permit?

The customer submits 2 sets of plans to the Building Permit Department along with a completed Building Permit Application. Staff will review the form for completeness and you will be assessed a permit and/or plan check fee. A certificate of Occupancy is only issued AFTER there is approval from, Building, Zoning, City Engineer, and the Fire Marshal. View Construction Permits for more information.

3. What are you building?

Use the checklists below to ensure you have the appropriate documentation to proceed.

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Fire Marshal

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1. What is the form "Building Inspection Card" that is given to the customer from the Permits, Zoning & Code Enforcement Department?: The form Building Inspection Card has the various Inspection Types for the final. Once all other applicable finals are signed, then the customer shall submit the online form for Request for Fire Marshal Inspection; which will be scheduled for a date and time for the Fire Marshal or his designee to come out to the business to inspect and sign off for the Final Fire Marshal Inspection. The Fire Marshal Inspection is the last inspection completed prior to the customer submitting the "Building Inspection Card" to the Building Permit Department for a Certificate of Occupancy. A Certificate of Occupancy is only issued AFTER there is approval from the Inspector, Zoning Administrator, City Engineer, and the Fire Marshal.

2. Where can I find the various Fire System applications and what are the costs of each permit?: Go to the Forms page to access fire system applications.

3. What is required when submitting fire system plans?

Applicable application (see "Where can I find the various Fire System applications and what are the costs of each permit?" above). Plus:

(3) sets of signed, archive CD, and stamped plans. (1) set of plans is for Fire Marshal's office, (1) set for the job site, and (1) set back to you.
Materials Data Sheets (cut sheets) for alarm devices or sprinklers, valves, and other listed equipment.
Battery calculations
Hydraulic calculations

4. Where do I submit my plans and how long does it generally take for them to be processed?

They are processed as follows:

Submit 3 sets of drawings and 1 electronic set - PDF to the Permits, Zoning & Code Enforcement Department (2610 S. Main, Stafford, TX, 77477) along with a completed Building Permit Application, staff will review the form for completeness and you will be assessed a permit and/ or plan check fee. A certificate of Occupancy is only issued AFTER there is approval from, Building, Zoning, City Engineer, and the Fire Marshal.
Documents are then processed and routed to the Fire Marshal’s Office located at 2702 S. Main, Stafford, TX, 77477. (Processing and routing time is generally two working days)
Plans are reviewed in the order in which they are received (no exceptions).
Once the Fire Marshal's Office signs off on the plans, any recommendations, corrections required and inspections needed will be notated on the plans. They will be returned to the Permits, Zoning & Code Enforcement Department.

5. Can the General Contractor (GC) for the job schedule on-line for an inspection for his fire system subcontractors?: No, because of licensing requirements for fire system contractors it is our policy that only the fire system contractors schedule online for their own inspections as they are required to be there.

6. How do I request an inspection from the Fire Marshal's Office?: Go to the Procedures to Request Fire Marshal Inspection form. Fill out the form completely and accurately. Online inspection requests received before 3 pm. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) will normally be within (2) business days. If you need to cancel your inspection, please call our main line at 281-403-5951. To reschedule please utilize our online inspection scheduling system.