Step 1: Fire Code Permitting - The Fire Code permit is required for existing residential single-family dwelling being converted to a boarding home. The proposed boarding home shall comply with all items outlined in the Boarding & Lodging Home Pre-Application Questionnaire or it will be deemed as new construction. See Part 4 if your proposed Boarding or Lodging home does not comply with the requirements outlined in the Boarding & Lodging Home Pre-Application Questionnaire

Before submitting your application for a Fire Code permit, please download the Pre-Application Questionnaire, complete the questionnaire, and submit it along with your floor and site plans. There are example floor and site plans in the Boarding & Lodging Home Pre-Application Questionnaire for your assistance.

To apply for your permit you will need to have an account in e-Permits.

Once you have obtained your Fire Code Permit and completed all required construction, please continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Fire Code Inspection - The Fire Code inspection will be conducted by the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office. In order to request your inspection, you will need to submit your Fire Code As-built Certificate to fmosupport@fmo.hctx.net

Once your Boarding Home has passed its Fire Code Inspection, you will receive the following:

1. Certificate of Compliance
2. Certificate of Inspection
3. Occupancy Load

Once you passed your Fire Code Inspection and recevied the documents listed above, please continue to Step 3.

Step 3: Boarding Home Class 1 Permit - The Harris County Sheriff's Office will process, issue, investigate, suspend, revoke and/or deny Boarding Home permits in accordance with the Boarding Home Regulations for Unincorporated Harris County.

Submit your Class 1 Boarding Home permit application, via e-Permits, with the required documents as outline in the Boarding Home Class 1 Permit Checklist below. See training video.

Effective March 1, 2021, all Boarding Homes operating in Unincorporated Harris County must be permitted in accordance with the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 260.
Boarding Homes in existence at the time of the adoption of these regulations have six (6) months from March 1, 2021 to initiate the application process to obtain a Class 1 Boarding Home Permit.

Step 3a: APPLY FOR A CLASS II PERMIT - Contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office Boarding Home Detail via Email Boardinghomes@Sheriff.hctx.net or call 832-927-2975 for an appointment.

All Owners/Operators, employees, and volunteers who have direct contact with Boarding Home residents are required to obtain a valid Class II Permit.

Documents required for issuance of Class II Permit

• Color copy of Government Issued Identification
• Color Copy of SS Card
• Signed Criminal History Statement
• Signed Owner/Employee Affidavit
• Food Handlers Permit

Enter the name associated to the Class 2 permit fees in the format ‘Last Name, First Name’ and click ‘Search Details’

• If there are no search results, try entering just the ‘First name’ or the ‘Last name’ or the address associated to the Class 2 permit fees
• If there are still no search results, please contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office at Phone# 713-221-6000, Email: boardinghomes@sheriff.hctx.net

Step 4: Residential Boarding Home - New Construction. Residential single-family dwellings that do not comply with the Harris County Fire Code pre-qualification (see below) will submit their application using the same application type, however, will be required to meet all portions of the Harris County Fire Code for new construction.

Boarding Houses in compliance with Chapter 260 of the Health & Safety Code shall be classified as a single-family dwelling for the purpose of this code and comply with all of the following:

1. The structure was originally constructed as a single-family dwelling.
2. The structure has an appraised real property record with Harris County Appraisal District for the past 2 years as a Residential, Single-Family use.
3. The structure is being converted into a Boarding Home.
4. The structure is in compliance with Local Government Code 233 Subchapter F "Residential Building Code" or other recognized code.
5. The structure is in compliance with Chapter 11 of the Harris County Fire Code.
6. The structure is in compliance with all deed restrictions.
7. The occupancy load shall not be less than 200 square feet per person.
8. The occupancy load shall not be greater than 16 for all occupants living within the dwelling.
9. Subjected to the Building and/or Fire Code Official for approval.

Structures not complying with all items listed or determined by the Building and/or Fire Code Official not approvable shall be classified as new construction or substantial improvement per the Harris County Fire Code.