Harris County — home to Houston and a wide range of fast-growing suburban communities — offers developers countless opportunities, from large-scale master-planned subdivisions to dense urban infill projects. But before committing substantial money to architectural drawings or engineering reports, it’s essential to maximize your feasibility period.

This early due diligence window lets you uncover zoning constraints, drainage and floodplain issues, and potential permitting roadblocks — so you can move forward (or walk away) with confidence before major expenses pile up.

Confirm Zoning and Land Use Regulations Upfront

Unlike many urban counties, much of Harris County is unincorporated, meaning it does not have formal zoning in the traditional sense. However, there are still critical land use controls, including:

• Subdivision platting and deed restriction enforcement

• Minimum lot size requirements

• Building line setbacks and buffer requirements

• Regulations tied to specific land use agreements or special overlay areas

If your project is within a city like Houston or another municipality inside Harris County, you’ll need to also comply with that city’s zoning code. Verifying whether your property is in the unincorporated county or within city limits is a crucial first step during feasibility.

Develop a Preliminary Site Plan Tailored to County Standards

A conceptual site plan is one of your most powerful tools during the feasibility period. In Harris County, a well-prepared site plan generally includes:

• Accurate property lines and easements

• Building footprints and orientations

• Driveway connections and internal circulation routes

• Parking and loading configurations

• Grading and drainage flow paths, including detention or retention ponds

• Proposed utility service points for water, sewer, and electrical connections

• Open space, landscape buffers, and any required tree preservation areas

Preparing this plan early helps you visualize potential conflicts and understand the space constraints before investing in detailed design work.

Evaluate Drainage and Floodplain Considerations

Harris County is known for its significant floodplain areas, and development here often requires compliance with strict drainage standards. During feasibility, you should investigate:

• Whether the site is located within a 100-year or 500-year floodplain

• Detention or retention pond requirements based on impervious coverage

• On-site drainage calculations and regional floodplain development permits

• Requirements from the Harris County Flood Control District

Addressing these issues early is critical to avoid costly redesigns and to ensure that your project remains viable from a stormwater compliance standpoint.

Estimate Permitting Fees and Review Timelines

Permitting fees in Harris County vary based on project size, type, and valuation. As part of your feasibility study, consider:

• Platting fees for new subdivisions or large parcels

• Building permit fees for commercial and residential construction

• Additional review fees for drainage and floodplain development

• Fees for septic system permits if not connected to public sewer

Processing times can also fluctuate. Simple single-family builds may proceed relatively quickly, while larger commercial or industrial projects can involve multiple departmental reviews, extending the timeline considerably.

Schedule a Pre-Development Meeting for Early Feedback

Harris County encourages developers to participate in pre-development meetings before formal submittal. During these sessions, you can receive:

• Feedback from engineering and flood control staff

• Preliminary comments on platting and subdivision design

• Guidance on drainage and stormwater requirements

• Clarification on any additional permits or variances needed

These meetings help you identify major obstacles early, reducing the risk of costly delays or last-minute plan changes.

Identify Any Special Studies and Supplemental Approvals

Depending on your project and location, you may need to prepare additional studies. Examples include:

• Traffic impact analyses for higher-intensity commercial uses

• Environmental assessments for sites with sensitive habitats or wetlands

• Geotechnical or soil studies for foundation design

• Utility capacity or availability assessments

By integrating these requirements into your feasibility analysis, you can better anticipate overall project costs and timelines.

Plan for Construction Inspections and Final Sign-Off

Even at the feasibility stage, understanding the construction inspection process can help you build a realistic project schedule. Common inspections in Harris County include:

• Site preparation and pre-construction meetings

• Foundation and structural framing inspections

• Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-in checks

• Final grading, drainage, and stormwater system verifications

• Final occupancy inspections before move-in or operation

Mapping out these steps now can help avoid surprises when your project transitions from paper to the field.

Harris County Feasibility Period Checklist

• Determine if your property is in unincorporated Harris County or within a city

• Verify applicable land use controls and deed restrictions

• Create a conceptual site plan that addresses drainage and access

• Review floodplain status and stormwater requirements

• Estimate permitting fees and approximate timelines

• Schedule a pre-development meeting for feedback

• Identify required technical studies and supplemental permits

• Understand inspection stages and final sign-off process

Ready to Explore Your Harris County Project?

If you’re in your feasibility period and want to make an informed decision before committing to full design and engineering costs, we can help. Our team specializes in creating detailed preliminary site plans and feasibility reviews that align with Harris County’s unique development standards. We’ll help you uncover potential challenges early so you can move forward confidently and avoid costly surprises.