The Houston Code of Ordinances, in plain English

Houston's development code governs how land here is subdivided and built on — plat approval, minimum lot size, building lines, and off-street parking. This is our working explanation of those rules, with the exact code sections cited so you can check us.

We're LotCodex. We read the Houston Code of Ordinances closely, section by section, and turn it into plain-language answers for anyone planning a build in Houston — builders, architects, and homeowners alike. Each page cites the section it's drawn from and carries the date we last checked it.

How Regulation Works

Houston controls land development through Chapter 42 of its Code of Ordinances.

Verified August 13, 2026

Minimum Lot Size

In Houston, the minimum lot size for a new single-family subdivision plat is 3,500 square feet within the city limits, or 5,000 square feet in the extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Verified August 13, 2026

Houston permit records

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This is how the code reads; confirm with the city — or ask a builder who's actually pulled this permit in Houston. The authoritative text is the Houston Code of Ordinances.