I was pretty overwhelmed walking in after mainly dealing with small town cities but I was met with smiles and clear instructions. I was able to get everything done with one trip. Since then I have emailed several questions and gotten very quick responses. The permitting process is so easy and inspections have gone smoothly. Overall this is a great group in this department. read more

I have dealt with this office for many years and have always been very happy with the pleasant, efficient, knowledgeable service!

There was a really rude lady at the basement where the information center is at. She was a hispanic Spanish speaking lady on 10/16/2025 at 9:50AM My mom came to get her finger print information with a paper with her name. She stated that because of people like my mom is the reasoning why they don't do finger print information at that building. It was very rude and uncalled for to state that about my mom, when she needs the information. She even gave us a wrong address to the ' actual ' place we needed to go. read more

This is hands down the worst city to deal with when it comes to permitting. These people will not answer the phone or return calls and/or return emails. They are extremely unprofessional and cause unnecessary project delays. We need a group of robots to work there so we can get our permits and reviews done in a timely manner. read more

Fast, friendly and helpful people. We were in and out with our permit in no time. I wish all city employees were this good.

I deal with these guys frequently , They're the only department for the city that won't pick up the phone. If you somehow get one of them on the phone, they're not too happy to help you either. Whoever is in charge of that department needs replaced. read more

Everyone was pleasant and friendly, especially the guy that took my fingerprints. He was knowledgeable, helpful and very nice. The place was nice, I wasn't expecting such a welcoming atmosphere from a city office building. read more

If I could give 0 stars, I would. It took 4 weeks, 8 unanswered emails and 4 unanswered phone calls before we were finally able to set up a temporary occupancy inspection, for the ridiculous price of $2,000, which was never actually scheduled. The space we requested the inspection for was damaged by Hurricane Beryl, and was unusable, therefore we had no need for the inspection. We requested the inspection to be cancelled and a refund to be processed. We were told we needed to fill out a refund request, have it notarized, and then hand delivered to the office. Then we were told that we would not receive the full refund, that they would take a 10% administration fee, and that it would take 6-8 weeks to process the refund. This is and was unacceptable, and hard on us as a small business. The icing on the cake was when we finally received the refund, the "administration fee" was actually 15%, and not 10% as we were told on the form we had to get notarized and hand deliver. The lack of customer service we received, the runaround on email and phone calls, taking a 15% fee off of our refund, which was more than promised, all the hoops we had to jump through and all for an inspection that was never actually scheduled. We will never do business within Houston city limits again and will advise others do the same. read more

I highly recommend Homeowners, remodelers, flipper or anyone that is planning on doing repairs, remodling or just a small project on your property to make a stop at the Houston permitting Center. I liked that there was parking at no charge available for customers. First thing you find is a receptionist that will ask and refer you to the correct place to make questions. Receptionist will give you a paper ticket and let you know which floor to go to. I didn't know you need it to check in and scan your ticket at the floor so it took a little longer than expected for my number to be called. After figuring it out, my numbers showed in the screen and I was called. Moved to one of the sections of the building and I started to ask away. Mr. Carmona, started explaining about procedures and gave me a booklet which has been most helpful. read more

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Ordered my rain barrel online. We were a little lost getting to the place. Specifically, ours was a drive-thru event. So if you see the Amtrak, you've gone too far. There was a staff member stationed outside/on the street in the pouring rain with a rain barrel, sure enough, we had a print out of our receipt and they just piled it in the car. It took about a minute for this. Very fast, very efficient. Loving our rain barrel. read more

For a COH entity, this place is surprisingly unlike anything else that I've experienced with the city. My experience here has mostly been positive and I've never had to wait too long for anything. If you come here, your start point would be the information kiosk at the end of the building by the elevators/cashiers. Plenty of staff who will help you there. Just tell one of them what you need and he/she will direct you where you need to go. There's always a long line on the first floor but they move pretty quickly. The line at the cashiers is always moving fast (they really want to get paid, I guess). Even if you need to see an inspector upstairs, the wait isn't too ridiculously long either. If you need help with a project that's reimbursable by the city, the people who deal with the paperwork are extremely helpful. Yeah, there are red tapes to try and get paid, but these people will help you and tell you what to do. They have a couple of parking lots for customers and no matter what time of day I go, I've always been able to find parking so parking has never been an issue. They also have a little cafe on the first floor in case you get hungry and want something quick. read more

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Worst ever. The property was denied permits for a yr. They didn't care and started reconstruction with people living in the building. BANGING, STOMPING, POUNDING SO HARD IT WAS SHAKING THE WALLS, WINDOWS, EVERYTHING. A neighbor called this office and they sent an investigator out...who gave Q10 permits on the spot, even though the plumbing and electrical were not up to code. WHY? This is dangerous to the people in the Hotel, especially w/ children. The construction has been making all the noise they can, thinking it's funny. They also drink alcohol on the job. They don't / won't speak English...why? HOW CAN AN IVESTIGATOR GIVE PERMITS ON THE SPOT WHEN THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR PERMITS! Did someone pay them on the spot? read more

I had a great experience with all the staff in this location from the info desk and cashiers to the agent who completed my fingerprinting. They were all very friendly and professional! read more

Feel bad for the older generation trying to pull a permit, it's all digital now and the it's nearly impossible to get a inspector on the phone. I'm young and can learn but it's extremely complicated don't forget about older people that may not know how to use a computer I seen one guy struggling and I had to help him. read more

Lucky for me, my experience here was positive. So thus my review will be positive. I had to get my occupancy permits along with some sign permits. I followed all directions online and applied and took care of all of the requirements. Each time, the wait is not too bad, about 30 mins. The parking here can be total chaos, so I usually just go straight to the back and walk in. The architecture of the building is very cool. Reminds me of NYC. read more

Went in for fingerprinting, the fingerprinting department made me wait a half hour while I was the only person in the room. They made me go back upstairs to pay and immediately went back to the basement while they made me wait another half hour. Again, no one else was in the room waiting. These workers are slow and incompetent. Expect rude city employees here. read more

I was dreading to go to this office thinking it's going to be like DMV and I have to wait for hours. It is far from that. I walked in at 10:56am and walked out by 11:14am. I could not be happier! I didn't have a problem finding parking either. The representative that helped me was very nice. I got the permit I needed with no issues. I walked in and a lady immediately asked what I came in for and gave me a ticket. I was directed to the second floor. Once there, you are suppose to scan your ticket and you sit and wait. Before I even made it to the chair, my number was called. I walked over to the lady's desk and got my paperwork done and I was sent to the cashier downstairs to pay. read more

Richina Lewis in the utilities dept is one of the most helpful employees they have. She went over and beyond to help me with a great big smile on her face the whole time. read more

Came to get a permit, cashier Cheryl was very rude and had an attitude. Should talk to their employees about customer service there is no need to be rude when someone asked a simple questions. read more

When I first got in this morning things went smoothly for my TNC Lincense. However I was redirected to the municipal court around the street to do my Warrant check for Uber (not updated this nugget of info on their government website). They "froze my ticket number so I wouldn't have to get back in line. Now I've been waiting here over an hour and will probably miss another appointment at 10 am due to this clusterf*ck of a dead zone here. read more

The building is nice but EVERY time I come here I get misinformed. The people that work here just don't care. I've gotten the hours wrong, waiting when it wasn't necessary, and even straight out lied to. Half of the employees sit at an empty desk not helping anyone. As a result, every time I have to come here I end up waiting for over an hour. This place is poorly ran and nobody wants to accept any responsibility for this actions. read more

Phew! After a nightmare at another location to try and get our fingerprinting done, this place was an oasis! The Houston Permitting Center offers a lot of other services, but we only came for the digit-stamping. The number for that department is (832) 394-4876. It's that brick-and-creme colored structure next to the other blue Houston Police building. The Amtrack rail & station is also right next to it as well. It's a new building, so you can tell people were enjoying the facilities there (well they looked happy anyway). If you're getting you're fingerprinting done, check in at the front desk, go left and grab yourself a ticket from the machine, and then head downstairs to the basement via the elevators on the right. Once you're there, go down the hall, scan your ticket under the scanny thing next to the flat screen on the wall, and bring your ticket up to the open window. They'll give you a form. Take it back upstairs to the first floor cashier's window, and then pay for your services ($10, any method of payment). Once that's done, bring your receipt back to the same basement floor window, and they'll call your number when your turn's up. Sounds a bit long-winded, but if you went to any other terrible fingerprinting places, the HPC is truly a breeze. There wasn't a wait, and even with the brief up and down bit, we were in and out within 15 minutes. They close at 3:30p, and it's first-come, first serve, no appointments necessary. So if you need fingerprinting, go here! Don't go to L1, or through MorphoTrust services. read more

.So I get it...when you need a permit you need a permit- which can be painful! You are in the middle of some construction and you have to update plans or just get a fricking fire alarm and bam you have slipped in Alice in Wonderland's rabbit hole. Seriously my day there... Pull out of the Amtrak lot Find a place to park Go to the third floor Get a number Wait till they call your number They call your number Go to a door Someone will open the door and call your number You will go back to a desk You will wait You will discuss Go back up front and wait Go to counter your permit is ready You have your permit You have to pay for it You have to go downstairs You wait in line to pay Back to the car Try to get out of the narrowest bottle neck of a parking lot (seriously how did they get a permit for THAT!?!?!) And you are free back to the world of less red tape! read more

Very interesting architecture that feels like a startup company in San Francisco. My experience here is somewhat bizarre. I am directed upstairs after printing out a ticket that an employee shows me the kiosk for. I am here to pick up public records. The room is empty but I had to scan my ticket and wait in line. The secretary acts like you aren't here except to explain how to scan your ticket into the system. A lady in the back called me up (or rather called up my number instead of just calling me up as a human being) and asked if I had an appointment. Why yes. I have scheduled one for this exact time. They appear to have no record whatsoever of an appointment. I give my personal paperwork over. They get me 3 of the six files I requested. These are all just computer printouts mind you. We discover that the remaining 3 files may have been given to a different person despite my sending each request within a few minutes of each other. I wanted separate records because these are records of home comps to show HCAD that my house has not been extensively renovated before buying it. They can print out one of the missing files. It seems another employee dropped the ball on the other two requests. I have to be really persistent to get the other two copies. The lady is on the phone calling someone. There appears to be some kind of disagreement. This is totally bizarre. They would clearly like me to leave and resubmit my request or schedule another appointment. Uh no, I'm here so please just get the printouts. It is clearly not appreciated that I am trying to cut through red tape. The upper management, if any, has so compartmentalized the office that it is practically paralyzed with inefficient bureaucracy . This isn't the lady's fault - it's horrible planning by the city in the management of the department. It's not her fault but she is defending it when it tried to absolve her of the problem by pointing out how badly its planned. The problem could have been easily fixed if they would store records by the NAME of the person requesting them, as opposed to a tracking number. It's 4:26 now. I first spoke with someone at 4. Cashiers office closes at 4:30. What will happen??? Even if I get them printed, will I be able to pay? Checking my email now. It looks like he did email me but I wasn't able to find it in my inbox without his name. Good lord, this so inefficient. So now the second guy is helping me. He is nice and helpful. I have a huge stack of papers that have not been stapled. I ask for and get a stapler. I'm missing one record. He just goes and prints it with no issues. Got my papers. It's 4:45 so it took 45 minutes and quite a deal of stress just to pick up documents I ordered ten days ago. Go down to pay. They have credit card machines. Awesome. It's a 21st century payment system. Cashiers are behind glass, because members of the public are all criminals, of course. Pay my $4.90. Leave. read more

Well... The building is fantastic. Awesome display of a LEED certified architecture. The entire experience is quite awesome. What I mean by that is: If you came to admire creative and effective engineering you came to the right place. If you came to get a permit, I recommend to arm yourself with: Patience. You are gonna be waiting for a while. The staff is going to try their best to help you, sometimes they mess up but we are all human. I have never run into someone that wasn't willing to help me somehow. The process is a bit annoying. Get to the building and get a ticket that will let you know where to go (what floor). Once you navigate the many choices and have your ticket, you get to go to the floor you are assigned. There you sign in with the ticket and wait for about a 1/2 hr ( depending on the time of day ). Then you see the person you are assigned and finally can go downstairs. This is where you pay, but must most likely wait in line again. All said and done, the building is fantastic, and the staff is cool and friendly. Just come armed with time and patiences. read more

I want to be as objective as possible considering I had to come here in the first place. The facility itself is impressive. The structure seems to be very new and very well kept. There are environmental employees making sure everything is clean before opening at 8 am. This is more than I can say for main floor office staff members. The navigation to get to your respective department is difficult enough, without the ridicule from the main floor staff. It seems if you come one minute before 8 AM they will not help you in the least and laugh about it. My first experience was a very unpleasant one. However permits must be acquired so it has created an environment where employees can act however they want. Meh, it is what it is. read more

Called different numbers in the permitting department for completely different issues, (commercial and residential) and all were just very simple single questions and explained that even in voice messages left. They promise to return all calls in 24 hrs. Well, it's been at least 2 weeks on the most recent and you guessed it... no return phone calls. Just very, very simple questions!!!! Damn! read more

I love coming to this place, yeah I know sounds kind of crazy, it just a comfortable place to be in away from the heat of the city, employees are very well trained to do their job and always eager to help. read more

One of the places for the Über TNC License! Kiosk is good for the process besides waiting til your number being called, the staff here are friendly and kind! City of Houston needs more workers like them! I'm here for my 2-Year TNC license for Über Houston read more

I realize that many will utilize the services of this facility and I have only been twice for only fingerprinting but it is probably the most efficient service that the City of Houston offers. It is a brand new building and one of the few LEED certified buildings in Houston. There are more than enough staff to direct and assist you. The Identity Division opens at 8am and if you arrive at that time, there's rarely a wait. The technicians are friendly and customer service oriented. It was a pleasant experience! read more

If I could leave negative stars I would. I understand once you're on the floor you need to be you must wait. But I don't want to be waiting on the damn 3rd floor for 2 hours just to be sent to the "right person" on the 4th floor and then end up with someone else! I'm not sure who does the training for the lady's downstairs who give your tickets. But they need to be trained to tell people where exactly they need to go instead of giving you the wrong ticket to see the wrong person then having you bounce around there all day like people don't have other things to do!! read more

Be ready to spend your whole day at this place they bounce you around like a ping pong ball went there to get a water meter permit and they sent me to 3 different departments stopped by at 11am and finished at 3pm just so they could tell me that first I needed to apply for a builders permit before I can get water at my place. Why shoot the ***** and just flat out tell someone what they qualify for instead of having people waste their money on unnecessary forms on top of wasting people's time read more

First off, I walked up to the employee at the kiosk and asked them about trying to get an approval for a permit to extend my driveway and they were nice telling me which from to fill out and come back to get a ticket so they can call me up when it's my turn. I fill out the form and go back up there and I told her what I was there for, ready to get a ticket. She then tells me all the people her are doing the traffic/driveway permits are all in a meeting so I have to come back tomorrow. I'm not stupid and I know that it was just a lazy way of saying we are closed in one hour so I don't want anymore customers. That's just ridiculous, an hour prior to closing, not 30 minutes or less. Really? They tell me to come back tomorrow when they open at 8. So far, I am not happy with this at all, especially when this is a City facility. They really need to have better work ethics but I guess they don't care. read more