Last verified August 13, 2026
against Houston Code of Ordinances §42-20, 42-21, 42-23
· LotCodex
Yes, but any subdivision of property in Houston or its ETJ requires an approved subdivision plat first — the city recognizes no other subdivisions. The plat class depends on what is proposed: a Class I plat (no more than four lots, each fronting an existing street, no new street or easement), a Class II plat (no new street/easement, not a replat requiring notice to adjacent owners), or a Class III plat (a new street, an easement dedication, or a vacating plat). A few narrow exceptions skip the plat requirement.
Applies to: Any division of a tract of land within the City of Houston or its extraterritorial jurisdiction that meets Chapter 42's definition of a subdivision — dividing a tract into two or more parts, by any method including a metes-and-bounds deed, a contract for deed, or an executory contract. It does NOT cover a division of land into parts each larger than five acres, where each part has its own public street access and no public improvement needs to be dedicated — Sec. 42-1 excludes that from the definition of "subdivision" entirely, so no plat is required for it under this chapter. This page also doesn't cover the detailed application, notice, or variance/special-exception procedures for any given plat class, which are separate sections of Chapter 42, Article II.
What the code says
(a) Except as provided in section 42-21 of this Code, any subdivision of property in the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction shall require a subdivision plat approved pursuant to this article. ... All property in the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction that is subdivided shall be laid out under the direction of the commission, and the city will recognize no other subdivisions.
Houston Code of Ordinances — Subdivision plat required — §42-20(a)
· Read the full code
Common questions
What happens if I sell or build on land I subdivided without a plat?
Sec. 42-4 makes it unlawful to lay out, subdivide, or plat land, or to sell property that has not been platted, in accordance with Chapter 42. The building official also cannot issue a building permit for construction on property subdivided after March 15, 1963 unless it is included in a recorded subdivision plat approved under this chapter.
Do I get to choose which plat class to file?
Sometimes. Class I and Class II plats are optional and may be used instead of a Class III plat when the subdivision qualifies — but a Class III plat is mandatory whenever the subdivision creates a new street or dedicates a public water, wastewater, or storm sewer easement, or for a vacating plat, regardless of preference.
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;
permitting questions go to
Houston Permitting Center.