Conroe Vs. Unincorporated: Your Remodel Permit Checklist

Planning a kitchen refresh, a new deck, or a room addition in Montgomery County? Your first step is not picking finishes. It is figuring out who actually issues your permit. That choice controls your paperwork, timelines, inspections, and even your project design. In this guide, you’ll learn how permitting works inside the City of Conroe compared with unincorporated Montgomery County, what permits common projects need, and the order to file so you avoid delays and fines. Let’s dive in.

Start here: confirm jurisdiction first

Before you sketch plans or pay fees, confirm whether your property sits inside City of Conroe limits or in unincorporated Montgomery County. Jurisdiction determines who reviews your plans and what permits you need.

• Use the county appraisal district or a GIS parcel map to verify city limit boundaries for your parcel.
• If the property is inside Conroe city limits, contact the City of Conroe Permits & Inspections office.
• If the property is outside city limits, contact Montgomery County’s permitting or development office. Also check whether a Municipal Utility District (MUD), special utility district, or homeowner association has additional rules.
• Review deed restrictions and any HOA architectural review requirements before starting design work.

Conroe vs. unincorporated: what changes

• Inside Conroe: The City of Conroe is the primary permitting authority. Expect building, trade permits, plan review, and scheduled inspections for work that triggers permits.
• Unincorporated Montgomery County: Requirements vary by area. Some projects may be under county-level rules, a MUD, or another local authority. Rural areas can have limited county building-permit requirements, but utilities, septic, and floodplain rules still apply.
• Utilities and environment: If your project touches septic, wells, floodplain, or sewer connections, coordinate early with the county health authority, utility provider, or relevant state agency. These reviews can add separate approvals and extra time.

Permit checklists by project type

Interior remodels: kitchens and baths

• Permits typically required when you:
  • Remove or add load-bearing walls or make structural changes.
  • Relocate or install plumbing lines, drains, or gas lines.
  • Add new electrical circuits, upgrade a panel, or rewire.
  • Move or install HVAC equipment or ducting.
• Often not required:
  • Cosmetic updates like painting, new cabinets, or countertops. Always confirm local and HOA rules.
• Inspections to expect: Rough framing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, insulation, and final.

Additions and attached structures

• Permits almost always required for room additions, second stories, and garage expansions. This includes structural, foundation, framing, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical as applicable.
• Site plan and setbacks must be verified. Variances need planning or zoning approval and can add weeks or months.
• Engineering or stamped plans may be required, especially for structural elements or special soils.
• Typical inspections: Footing/foundation, framing and shear, MEP roughs, insulation, and final.

Exterior work: roofing, windows, siding, doors

• Roofing: Many jurisdictions require a permit for re-roofing, especially if you replace roof sheathing or exceed scope thresholds. Expect at least a final inspection.
• Windows: Like-for-like replacements may avoid structural permits but can trigger energy or product compliance checks in the city. Changing openings usually requires a permit.
• Siding: Replacement that does not change structure may or may not require a permit depending on the jurisdiction.
• Fences, driveways, paving: Cities commonly require fence permits for height, setbacks, and easements. Driveway work affecting the right-of-way or drainage often needs a permit and engineering review.

Pools, spas, and site work

• In-ground pools generally require building, electrical, and plumbing permits plus barrier or fencing inspections. Some areas require pool alarms or additional safety compliance.
• Above-ground pools may require permits depending on size and safety rules.
• Site grading, retaining walls, and significant drainage work may need county or city engineering review for stormwater.

Accessory structures: sheds, barns, carports, decks

• Small sheds under a local size threshold (often 120–200 square feet) may be exempt. Always verify the threshold where your property lies.
• Decks usually require permits if attached to the house or above a set height. Low, free-standing decks may be exempt.
• Carports and detached garages generally require permits.

Utilities, septic, and wells

• Sewer connections: Inside city limits you typically must connect to city sewer or obtain city approval. Outside city limits, septic systems are regulated by county or state-authorized environmental health authorities.
• Septic changes: Replacements or alterations usually require separate permits and inspections.
• Wells: Drilling, abandonment, or new wells can require registration or permits through local groundwater districts or state agencies.
• Gas and propane: Line work generally needs mechanical or plumbing permits and licensed installers.

HVAC, electrical, and plumbing trades

• HVAC: New or replacement equipment usually requires a mechanical permit and a licensed contractor.
• Electrical: Service changes, panel upgrades, new circuits, and wiring need electrical permits and licensed electricians.
• Plumbing: New fixtures, relocated drains, and gas lines require permits and licensed plumbers.

Where to file first: the quick order

1. Confirm jurisdiction using the county appraisal district or GIS to determine if the property is inside Conroe city limits.
2. Contact the right authority:
   • Inside city limits: City of Conroe Permits & Inspections.
   • Outside city limits: Montgomery County permitting/development office and any MUD or local authority.
3. Flag special conditions early: septic, well, sewer connections, and floodplain can require separate approvals.
4. Prepare your application package: permit form, site plan with setbacks and easements, construction plans or stamped engineering if required, contractor license/registration and insurance, and any manufacturer specs.
5. Submit and pay fees: Online portals, in-person, or email submittals vary by office. Fees may be flat, valuation-based, or per-schedule.
6. Respond to plan review comments: Approvals may be conditional or require corrections and resubmittal.
7. Pull permits and schedule inspections: Follow the required inspection sequence through final.

Documents and contractor requirements

• Common submittals:
  • Permit application with owner and contractor information.
  • Site plan showing footprint, setbacks, easements, well/septic locations, trees, and impervious cover as needed.
  • Construction plans; stamped engineering for structural elements when required.
  • Energy code compliance documentation for changes to conditioned spaces or additions.
  • Proof of contractor registration, trade license numbers, and insurance certificates when required by the jurisdiction.
  • Equipment specs for HVAC or pool equipment.
• Licensing: Texas requires licensed electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians for many scopes. Verify state licenses and whether the City of Conroe or county requires contractor registration.

Floodplain, drainage, and rural considerations

• Flood zones: Portions of Montgomery County fall within FEMA flood zones. Projects in these areas often require a floodplain development permit, elevation certificate, and possibly engineered floodproofing or elevation.
• Drainage: Site grading, retaining walls, and major drainage changes may trigger engineering review.
• Call before you dig: Contact 811 to locate utilities before digging for footings, fences, pools, or trenches. Many inspectors will ask for locates before foundation or trench inspections.
• HOA and deed restrictions: HOA/ARC approvals are separate from city or county permits and can be required before permits are issued or work starts.

Timelines and inspections: what to expect

• Review times:
  • Simple residential permits such as minor electrical or a water heater can be reviewed in days.
  • Additions and structural changes commonly take one to four weeks for plan review, longer for complex engineered sets.
  • Zoning variances, HOA reviews, and floodplain approvals can add weeks or months.
• Plan for back-and-forth: Build in time for reviewer comments and resubmittals.
• Inspections: Follow the municipal inspection sequence and secure final approval before using new spaces, especially bedrooms or living areas.

Avoid fines: common red flags

• Assuming the wrong jurisdiction and filing with the county when you are inside Conroe city limits.
• Discovering floodplain status after you submit plans.
• Missing stamped engineering for structural work.
• Skipping HOA or deed restriction approvals.
• Hiring contractors who are not properly licensed or registered.
• Building over utility easements or failing to call 811 before digging.

Keep resale in mind

Unpermitted work can lead to stop-work orders, fines, and costly remediation. It can also complicate appraisals, inspections, and buyer confidence when you sell. Keep copies of permits, approved plans, inspection records, and final approvals in a safe place. These documents help protect your investment and speed up a future closing.

Ready to plan a remodel that adds value and keeps your timeline on track? Reach out to the team you can trust. Connect with the Kristi Fox Real Estate Group for local guidance and a smooth path from plan to permit to project.

FAQs

Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets in Montgomery County?

• Usually no if the work is cosmetic and you are not changing structure, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical. Always verify with your permitting office and HOA.

Do I need a permit to move a kitchen sink or gas line in Conroe?

• Yes. Relocating plumbing fixtures or gas lines typically requires a plumbing permit and inspections.

Who pulls the permit: me or my contractor?

• Reputable, licensed contractors usually pull required permits, but you should confirm permits are filed and that licenses and insurance are current.

What happens if work was done without a permit in Conroe or unincorporated areas?

• You may face stop-work orders, fines, required remediation, retroactive plans and inspections, and future resale issues.

Which office should I call first about my remodel?

• Start by confirming if your property is inside City of Conroe limits. If inside, call Conroe’s Permits & Inspections. If outside, call Montgomery County’s permitting office and any applicable MUD or utility district.

Do I need extra approvals if my home is in a flood zone?

• Likely yes. Floodplain development rules can add elevation, grading, documentation, and engineering requirements, plus a separate permit.

Are septic changes permitted at the county level?

• Typically yes. New or replacement on-site sewage systems are permitted by the local environmental health authority or a state-authorized agent and require inspections.