Bolthole Index

Harris County, Texas

Bunker Hill Village, Texas building permits, zoning and septic rules

Bunker Hill Village, Texas requires city building permits for new homes and has its own zoning regulations.12 Parked recreational vehicles cannot be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping anywhere in the city.3 Start with the city’s Planning and Development Department for building and zoning questions; we could not confirm the septic permitting authority inside city limits.4

At a glance

Building permits
City building permit required for new residential construction1
Zoning
City zoning applies inside city limits2
RV living
Living, sleeping and housekeeping in parked RVs prohibited3
Minimum lot area
District A: 20,000 square feet; District B: 10,000 square feet56
Lot coverage
Districts A and B: 45% impermeable area; 55% total coverage78
Septic permits
Texas generally requires a permit and approved plan; ask City Hall to identify the authority for a city address94

Who to call

Building permits

Bunker Hill Village Planning and Development Department

City building-code and zoning administration; City Hall contact for development questions

713-467-9762

11977 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77024

Building permits

Bunker Hill Village Permit Desk

Building permit applications, contractor registration and inspection scheduling

713-467-9762

11977 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77024

Septic permits

Harris County Water Quality Permitting Group

County OSSF inquiry contact; service for a Bunker Hill Village address must be confirmed before applying

(713) 274-3900

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Bunker Hill Village means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Bunker Hill Village, Texas?

New residential construction in Bunker Hill Village requires a pre-development meeting, a full application submitted at City Hall, plans and a review fee.1 Bunker Hill Village has adopted the 2024 International Residential Code with city amendments, and the city building official enforces that code.10 All general contractors and subcontractors must register with the city before applying for and purchasing a building permit.1 For a new home, plan for both the city’s application review and its construction inspections; a submitted plan alone does not complete the process.111

Who handles building permits and inspections in Bunker Hill Village?

Bunker Hill Village’s Planning and Development Department administers the city’s adopted codes and ordinances; reach City Hall at 713-467-9762 or visit 11977 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77024.4 The city’s building-permit instructions direct applicants to its online portal to apply for and purchase building permits, and require the building permit to be displayed at the job site.12 Inspection requests also go through the online portal and must arrive no later than 3:00 p.m. for next-business-day scheduling.12 Required inspections appear on the building permit, typically in the order they need to occur.12

Does Bunker Hill Village have zoning, lot-size limits and setbacks?

Bunker Hill Village has city zoning, so match the parcel to its district before designing a home.2 District A requires at least 20,000 square feet of lot area; District B requires at least 10,000 square feet.56 On standard lots in District A, minimum yards are 50 feet at the front, 20 feet on each side and 25 feet at the rear.13 On standard lots in District B, minimum yards are 25 feet at the front, 10 feet on each side and 10 feet at the rear; second-story setbacks are larger.14 Both districts limit impermeable area to 45% and total lot coverage to 55%; driveways and patios count toward impermeable area.78 Cul-de-sac yards and reconstruction exceptions need separate review with the city zoning official.1314

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Bunker Hill Village?

Bunker Hill Village prohibits living, sleeping or housekeeping in recreational or utility vehicles parked or stored anywhere within city limits.3 Screening an RV does not create an occupancy exception: the city’s storage conditions and its habitation prohibition are separate requirements.3 Visible parking is limited to 48 hours, and stored vehicles must be enclosed or screened from the street under the city rule.3 We could not confirm a separate tiny-home occupancy rule or minimum dwelling floor area in Bunker Hill Village; ask the Planning and Development Department to review the proposed dwelling and its zoning district before buying or ordering a unit.4

How do septic permits and water questions work in Bunker Hill Village?

Texas generally requires a permit and approved plan to construct, alter, repair, extend or operate an on-site sewage facility.9 We could not confirm which office issues septic permits for addresses inside Bunker Hill Village; ask City Hall to identify the responsible authority before submitting a septic design.4 Harris County’s Water Quality Permitting Group is available at (713) 274-3900 as a county wastewater inquiry contact, but confirm service for the city address before applying.15 We also could not confirm the city’s sewer-connection conditions, private-well requirements or whether off-grid sanitation would be accepted; bring those questions to the city’s Planning and Development Department with the proposed site plan.4

Building a home in Bunker Hill Village: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm the parcel’s zoning district with the Planning and Development Department and check the district’s lot area, yards and coverage limits before fixing the house footprint.456131478
  2. Arrange the required pre-development meeting for new residential construction, then submit the full application, plans and review fee at City Hall.1
  3. Have general contractors and subcontractors register with the city before applying for the building permit.1
  4. Display the building permit at the job site and schedule the listed inspections through the city’s online portal.12
  5. Ask the city about flood-hazard elevations during design: where the specified flood data is available, new residential construction and substantial improvements must meet the city’s elevated-floor and certification standards.16

What should you check before buying in Bunker Hill Village?

Bunker Hill Village’s flood-hazard standards require residential lowest-floor elevations and professional certification for covered new construction and substantial improvements; discuss the applicable elevation with the city before committing to a design.16 The city identifies a fee schedule effective in 2026, so request the current project-specific charges before budgeting the building permit.17 We could not confirm an owner-builder exemption or certificate-of-occupancy requirement; ask the city building official about both before construction.4 For land outside Bunker Hill Village city limits, use the Harris County guide for the unincorporated county’s different zoning answer.18

Watch-outs

  • Bunker Hill Village’s RV storage provisions do not authorize living or sleeping in the vehicle.3
  • Second-story setbacks can exceed ground-floor setbacks in Bunker Hill Village’s residential districts.1314
  • We could not confirm the septic permitting authority inside Bunker Hill Village; ask City Hall before treating an unincorporated-county application as the correct route.4

Sources

  1. Types of Projects (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  2. bunkerhilltx.gov (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  3. Parking and Storage of Recreational and Utility Vehicles (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  4. Bunker Hill Village Planning and Development Department (bunkerhilltx.gov)
  5. District A—Area Regulations, Size of Lot (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  6. District B—Area Regulations, Size of Lot (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  7. District A—Area Regulations, Size of Lot (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  8. District B—Area Regulations, Size of Lot (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  9. Getting a Permit for an OSSF - Such as a Septic System (Texas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  11. Inspection Procedures (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  12. Bunker Hill Village Permit Desk (bunkerhilltx.gov)
  13. District A—Area Regulations, Size of Yards (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  14. District B—Area Regulations, Size of Yards (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  15. Harris County Water Quality Permitting Group (oce.harriscountytx.gov)
  16. Flood Hazard Reduction—Specific Standards (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  17. Building Permit Instructions (Bunker Hill Village), quoted and re-checked
  18. Texas law on county zoning and building authority

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Bunker Hill Village

Bunker Hill Village’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New residential construction and other listed development projects inside Bunker Hill Village city limits.

    • New residential construction requires a pre-development meeting, full application at City Hall, plans, and a review fee.
    • All general and subcontractors must register before applying for and purchasing a permit.
    • Permit-specific requirements vary by project type.
    “Pre-Development Meeting | YES Application Submittal | SUBMIT FULL APPLICATION AT CITY HALL Plans | YES Submittal Fee for Review | YES”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    One- and two-family dwellings inside Bunker Hill Village city limits.

    • The 2024 IRC is adopted with listed appendices and city amendments.
    • The city is responsible for enforcement and the building official is in charge.

    code edition: 2024 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (including appendices A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, O, P and T)

    “The International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2024 Edition, including appendices A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, O, P and T, as published by the International Code Council, an authentic copy of which has been filed with the city secretary, is hereby adopted and made a part of this Code of Ordinances, except as follows:”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New construction, additions, accessory structures, and swimming pools inside Bunker Hill Village city limits.

    • The site inspection is the first inspection for the listed project types.
    • Inspection requests must be submitted online by 3:00 p.m. for next-business-day scheduling.
    • A same-day inspection is available for an additional $300 fee.
    • Only the permit holder may schedule its own inspection category.

    same-day inspection fee: 300 USD

    “The Site Inspection is the very first inspection and it is required for all New Construction, Additions, Accessory Structures and Swimming Pools (Stake Out).”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Bunker Hill Village city limits.

    • The city states that it has adopted zoning regulations and publishes Appendix A, Zoning, and a zoning map.
    “Through the years we have adopted ordinances including zoning regulations that have effectively preserved the characteristics of Bunker Hill Villages.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family residential District A.

    • The section also establishes minimum depth, width, and cul-de-sac dimensions.
    • The in-kind/same-kind reconstruction exception in § 5.04(G) applies to the lot-coverage regulations.

    minimum lot area: >= 20000 square feet · minimum average lot depth: >= 140 feet · minimum standard-lot width: >= 110 feet · minimum cul-de-sac frontage: >= 40 feet (measured along the property line) · minimum cul-de-sac width at front setback line: >= 110 feet (measured on a straight line tangent to the front setback line)

    “Lot area. No building shall be erected, constructed, or placed on a lot having less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet in area.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family residential District B.
      “Lot area. No building shall be erected, constructed, or placed on a lot having less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet in area.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Single-family residential District A yards.

    • Cul-de-sac front yards require approval by the zoning official for a consistent neighborhood look.
    • A two-story main building has a 40-foot second-story rear setback.
    • Required green spaces and the 30-inch overhang rule apply.
    • In-kind/same-kind reconstruction has the stated exception.

    standard front yard: >= 50 feet · cul-de-sac front yard: >= 40 feet (subject to consistent neighborhood look as approved by zoning official) · each side yard: >= 20 feet · rear yard: >= 25 feet · second-story rear setback: >= 40 feet (two-story main building or added second story) · overhang into required yard: <= 30 inches (uncovered and unenclosed driveways, walkways, steps, and porches)

    “Front yard, standard lot. On a standard lot there shall be a front yard with a depth of at least fifty (50) feet. Alongside lot lines within a required front yard, a five-foot-wide green space shall be maintained.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family residential District B yards.
      “Front yard, standard lot. On a standard lot there shall be a front yard with a depth of at least twenty-five (25) feet. Alongside lot lines within a required front yard, a two and one-half foot (2.5) wide green space shall be maintained.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Single-family residential District A.

    • Impermeable building area includes buildings, foundations, driveways, sidewalks, walkways, sundecks, patios, tennis courts, and other impervious surfaces.
    • Swimming-pool water surface is permeable.
    • Artificial turf is permeable only if city-inspected and compliant with city or manufacturer criteria; it is not permitted in the required front yard or if visible from a street.
    • In-kind/same-kind reconstruction exception applies under § 5.04(G).

    maximum impermeable building area: <= 45 percent of lot area · maximum lot coverage: <= 55 percent of lot area (includes impermeable and permeable surfaces)

    “The impermeable building area shall not exceed forty-five (45) percent of the area of the lot. For the purposes hereof, impermeable building area shall include portions of a lot which are covered with buildings or structures including, but not limited to, building foundations, driveways, sidewalks, walkways, sundecks, patios, or tennis courts, and other impervious surfaces.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family residential District B.
      “The impermeable building area shall not exceed forty-five (45) percent of the area of the lot. For the purposes hereof, impermeable building area shall include portions of a lot which are covered with buildings or structures including, but not limited to, building foundations, driveways, sidewalks, walkways, sundecks, patios, or tennis courts, and other impervious surfaces.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Use of recreational or utility vehicles for living, sleeping, or housekeeping within Bunker Hill Village city limits.

    • Storage in a front yard or elsewhere is prohibited unless enclosed or screened from the street.
    • Visible parking is limited to 48 hours in any cumulative 30-day period.
    • Landscaping may be used to screen the vehicle.

    visible parking duration: 48 hours (in any cumulative 30-day period)

    “No such vehicle shall be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored at any location within the city.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Temporary habitation in recreational or utility vehicles inside Bunker Hill Village city limits.

    • The cited rule expressly covers living, sleeping, or housekeeping in recreational or utility vehicles; it does not separately address tent camping.
    “No such vehicle shall be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored at any location within the city.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision proposals inside Bunker Hill Village city limits, including manufactured-home parks and subdivisions.

    • Subdivision proposals must meet development-permit requirements of §§ 4-84 and 4-148 and the article's provisions.
    • For proposals greater than five acres, flood-elevation data must be generated if not otherwise provided.
    • Adequate drainage and public utilities and facilities are required.

    development-size threshold: > 5 acres (flood-elevation data requirement applies if not otherwise provided)

    “All proposals for the development of subdivisions, including manufactured home parks and subdivisions, shall meet development permit requirements of section 4-84 ; section 4-148 ; and the provisions of this article.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction and substantial improvements in special and moderate flood-hazard areas inside Bunker Hill Village.

    • The standards apply where base-flood and 500-year floodplain data has been provided.
    • Residential lowest floors, including basements, must be elevated to or above the 500-year elevation.
    • A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor must certify the residential elevation standard.
    • Enclosed areas below the lowest floor require automatic hydrostatic equalization openings.

    minimum enclosed-area openings: >= 1 square inch per square foot (total net area; openings' bottoms no higher than one foot above grade)

    “In all areas of special flood hazards and moderate flood hazards where base flood elevation and five hundred (500) year floodplain elevation data has been provided as set forth in section 4-83 , subsection 4-147 (8), or subsection 4-168 (d), the following provisions are required:”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building and development permits inside Bunker Hill Village city limits.

    • The city building-permit instructions identify a fee schedule effective January 21, 2026.
    • The opened fee schedule PDF was a 2023 schedule and may not be the current fee schedule.

    fee schedule effective date: 2026-01-21 · same-day inspection fee: 300 USD

    “Fee Schedule (Effective January 21, 2026)”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Bunker Hill Village or Harris County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Bunker Hill Village city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Bunker Hill Village city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings in Districts A and B.
  • Building height — Buildings in Bunker Hill Village zoning districts.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Bunker Hill Village city limits.
9 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Bunker Hill Village publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Harris County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Harris County: county rules, score and offices