Building permits are required for:

• Pods over 200 square feet

• Pods with Bathrooms or any plumbing

• Pods over 15 feet tall

• Pods in flood hazard area

If your Pod meets any of those requirements, Backyard Pod will perform a feasibility study on your parcel to determine whether any of our products can be added. Once all is cleared, we will prepare a set of architectural and engineering drawings and apply for your building permit.

Our feasibility study will include information on:

• Protected and heritage trees on your property

• Impervious and building coverage estimation (how many square feet can be added)

• Setbacks and Public Utility Easements

• Overhead and underground utilities

• Water Meter size and whether upgrades are necessary

• We will also do a basic search of deed restrictions

Our Permits Set includes:

• Architectural drawings sealed by a Licensed Architect (when necessary)

• Engineering structural design and wall bracing schedule sealed by a Certified Professional Engineer

• Site Plan with an outline of improvements and setback compliance plan

Timeline:

• Preparation of the permit documents (4-8 weeks)

• City Review of the documents (4 weeks)

• If there are any comments on your property, City will take additional 4 weeks to review

• The timeline can be expedited to approx. 4 weeks of total wait time

Cost:

• Permit Plan Set Preparation - Architectural and engineering plans preparation, architectural and engineering plans review, engineering inspection of framing and foundation. Permit application submission and facilitation. $3,500 - $7,000

• Architectural Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Architect (Most commonly not required, if necessary, cost between $1000-$3000 in most instances)

• Engineering Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Engineer. $500 - $1,000

• Building and Permits Contingency - This fee is a contingency for any unforeseen incremental work required in excess of our standard procedures, such as environmental protection, clean out locations, equipment rentals, tree review, erosion protection, layout survey, termite treatment, electrical compliance in excess of NEC, final impervious coverage survey. Upon project completion, this fee will be reconciled to actual fees and any excess will be refunded or incremental cost will be billed. $10,000

Building permits are required for Pods over 100 square feet.

If your Pod meets any of those requirements, Backyard Pod will perform a feasibility study on your parcel to determine whether any of our products can be added. Once all is cleared, we will prepare a set of architectural and engineering drawings and apply for your building permit.

Our feasibility study will include information on:

• Protected and heritage trees on your property and all corresponding Critical Root Zones

• Impervious and building coverage estimate (how many square feet can be added)

• Setbacks and Public Utility Easements

• Overhead and underground utilities

• Water Meter size and whether upgrades are necessary

• We will also do a basic search of deed restrictions

Our Permits Set includes:

• Architectural drawings sealed by a Licensed Architect (when necessary)

• Engineering structural design and wall bracing schedule sealed by a Certified Professional Engineer

• Site Plan with an outline of improvements and setback compliance plan

Timeline:

• Preparation of the permit documents (4-8 weeks)

• City Review of the documents (2 weeks)

• If there are any comments on your property, City will take an additional 2 weeks to review

Building permits are required for all accessory structures.

Backyard Pod will perform a feasibility study on your parcel to determine whether any of our products can be added. Once all is cleared, we will prepare a set of architectural and engineering drawings and apply for your building permit.

Our feasibility study will include information on:

• Protected and heritage trees on your property and all corresponding Critical Root Zones

• Impervious and building coverage estimate (how many square feet can be added)

• Setbacks and Public Utility Easements

• Overhead and underground utilities

• Water Meter size and whether upgrades are necessary

• We will also do a basic search of deed restrictions

Our Permits Set includes:

• Architectural drawings sealed by a Licensed Architect (when necessary)

• Engineering structural design and wall bracing schedule sealed by a Certified Professional Engineer

• Site Plan with an outline of improvements and setback compliance plan

Timeline:

• Preparation of the permit documents (4-8 weeks)

• City Review of the documents - 3 weeks

• If there are any comments on your property, City will take an additional 2 weeks to review

Cost:

Permit Plan Set Preparation - Architectural and engineering plans preparation, architectural and engineering plans review, engineering inspection of framing and foundation. Permit application submission and facilitation. $3,500 - $7,000

Architectural Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Architect (Most commonly not required, if necessary, cost between $1000-$3000 in most instances)

Engineering Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Engineer. $500 - $1,000

Building and Permits Contingency - This fee is a contingency for any unforeseen incremental work required in excess of our standard procedures, such as environmental protection, clean out locations, equipment rentals, tree review, erosion protection, layout survey, termite treatment, electrical compliance in excess of NEC, final impervious coverage survey. Upon project completion, this fee will be reconciled to actual fees and any excess will be refunded or incremental cost will be billed. $10,000

Building permits are required for any Pods over 200 square feet.

Backyard Pod will perform a feasibility study on your parcel to determine whether any of our products can be added. Once all is cleared, we will prepare a set of architectural and engineering drawings and apply for your building permit.

Our feasibility study will include information on:

• Protected and heritage trees on your property and all corresponding Critical Root Zones

• Impervious and building coverage estimate (how many square feet can be added)

• Setbacks and Public Utility Easements

• Overhead and underground utilities

• Water Meter size and whether upgrades are necessary

• We will also do a basic search of deed restrictions

Our Permits Set includes:

• Architectural drawings sealed by a Licensed Architect (when necessary)

• Engineering structural design and wall bracing schedule sealed by a Certified Professional Engineer

• Site Plan with an outline of improvements and setback compliance plan

Timeline:

• Preparation of the permit documents - 4-8 weeks

• City Review of the documents - 3 weeks

• If there are any comments on your property, City will take an additional 2 weeks to review

Building permits are required for:

• Pods over 120 sqft

• Pods with bathrooms or any plumbing

• Any pod tying into permanent electrical or mechanical systems (trade permits also required)

• Pods in designated flood hazard areas or historic districts (may trigger a Certificate of Appropriateness)

• If your pod meets any of these triggers, Backyard Pod will run a feasibility study covering:

• Lot coverage & setback compliance (Houston allows detached ADUs up to 900 sqft)

• Impervious cover and drainage; floodplain mitigation if needed

• Location of overhead/underground utilities

• Deed‑restriction and HOA review

Our Permit Set includes:

• Architectural drawings sealed by a Texas‑registered architect (when required)

• Structural engineering stamped by a professional engineer

• MEP sheets + drainage/elevation certificates (if in floodplain)

Typical Timeline

• Phase Duration Permit‑ set preparation 4‑8 weeks

• City plan review ~ 3 weeks

• Resubmittal for comments+ 2 weeks (expedite possible)

Budgetary Cost

• Permit Plan Set Preparation - Architectural and engineering plans preparation, architectural and engineering plans review, engineering inspection of framing and foundation. Permit application submission and facilitation. $3,500 - $7,000

• Architectural Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Architect (Most commonly not required, if necessary, cost between $1000-$3000 in most instances)

• Engineering Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Engineer. $500 - $1,000

• Building and Permits Contingency - This fee is a contingency for any unforeseen incremental work required in excess of our standard procedures, such as environmental protection, clean out locations, equipment rentals, tree review, erosion protection, layout survey, termite treatment, electrical compliance in excess of NEC, final impervious coverage survey. Upon project completion, this fee will be reconciled to actual fees and any excess will be refunded or incremental cost will be billed. $10,000

Building permits are required for:

• Pods over 200 sq ft or any structure with utilities (City follows 2021 IRC)

• Pods taller than 15 ft above grade

• Pods located in the Barker Reservoir floodplain or other FEMA‑mapped areas

Feasibility study highlights:

• Building & impervious‑cover allowances per Katy zoning

• Setback verification (typ. 5 ft side, 10 ft rear in R‑1 districts)

• Drainage plan & detention calculations, if required

• Utility service sizing + ROW encroachment checks

Typical Timeline

• Phase Duration Permit‑ set preparation 4‑8 weeks

• City plan review ~ 3 weeks

• Resubmittal for comments+ 2 weeks (expedite possible)

Budgetary Cost

• Permit Plan Set Preparation - Architectural and engineering plans preparation, architectural and engineering plans review, engineering inspection of framing and foundation. Permit application submission and facilitation. $3,500 - $7,000

• Architectural Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Architect (Most commonly not required, if necessary, cost between $1000-$3000 in most instances)

• Engineering Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Engineer. $500 - $1,000

• Building and Permits Contingency - This fee is a contingency for any unforeseen incremental work required in excess of our standard procedures, such as environmental protection, clean out locations, equipment rentals, tree review, erosion protection, layout survey, termite treatment, electrical compliance in excess of NEC, final impervious coverage survey. Upon project completion, this fee will be reconciled to actual fees and any excess will be refunded or incremental cost will be billed. $10,000

Approvals and permits are required for:

• An Improvement Request approved by the Residential Design Review Committee or Development Standards Committee for any detached structure, regardless of size (thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov)

• Detached buildings over 120 sq ftor that include HVAC, plumbing, foundations, or are intended as living space—your 160 sq ft Pod therefore requires committee review and may count toward the lot’s maximum living area (Residential Development Standards § 2.1)

• Structures ≥ 400 sq ft must have sealed architectural & structural drawings

• Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) issued by Montgomery or Harris County

• Floodplain Development Permit if the lot falls within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area

Feasibility study highlights:

• Building & impervious‑cover allowances per Katy zoning

• Setback verification (typ. 5 ft side, 10 ft rear in R‑1 districts)

• Drainage plan & detention calculations, if required

• Utility service sizing + ROW encroachment checks

Typical Timeline

• Phase Duration Permit‑ set preparation 4‑8 weeks

• City plan review ~ 3 weeks

• Resubmittal for comments+ 2 weeks (expedite possible)

Budgetary Cost

• Permit Plan Set Preparation - Architectural and engineering plans preparation, architectural and engineering plans review, engineering inspection of framing and foundation. Permit application submission and facilitation. $3,500 - $7,000

• Architectural Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Architect (Most commonly not required, if necessary, cost between $1000-$3000 in most instances)

• Engineering Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Engineer. $500 - $1,000

• Building and Permits Contingency - This fee is a contingency for any unforeseen incremental work required in excess of our standard procedures, such as environmental protection, clean out locations, equipment rentals, tree review, erosion protection, layout survey, termite treatment, electrical compliance in excess of NEC, final impervious coverage survey. Upon project completion, this fee will be reconciled to actual fees and any excess will be refunded or incremental cost will be billed. $10,000

Approvals you’ll need:

• Residential Development Permit for any accessory structure with plumbing/electrical or over ~120 sqft

• Separate trade permits for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing

• Floodplain Development Permit for sites inside Special Flood Hazard Areas

• Driveway/ROW permits when tying into county ditches or roads

Feasibility study covers:

• Floodplain status & mitigation strategy

• County drainage and fill requirements

• Site‑specific setbacks (unincorporated areas default to 5 ft side & rear, unless deed‑restricted)

• Utility connection points & well/septic considerations

Our Permit Set includes:

• Architectural drawings sealed by a Texas‑registered architect (when required)

• Structural engineering stamped by a professional engineer

• MEP sheets + drainage/elevation certificates (if in floodplain)

Typical Timeline

• Phase Duration Permit‑ set preparation 4‑8 weeks

• City plan review ~ 3 weeks

• Resubmittal for comments+ 2 weeks (expedite possible)

Budgetary Cost

• Permit Plan Set Preparation - Architectural and engineering plans preparation, architectural and engineering plans review, engineering inspection of framing and foundation. Permit application submission and facilitation. $3,500 - $7,000

• Architectural Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Architect (Most commonly not required, if necessary, cost between $1000-$3000 in most instances)

• Engineering Plans Prepared and Sealed by Texas Registered Engineer. $500 - $1,000

• Building and Permits Contingency - This fee is a contingency for any unforeseen incremental work required in excess of our standard procedures, such as environmental protection, clean out locations, equipment rentals, tree review, erosion protection, layout survey, termite treatment, electrical compliance in excess of NEC, final impervious coverage survey. Upon project completion, this fee will be reconciled to actual fees and any excess will be refunded or incremental cost will be billed. $10,000

Please reach out to us to discuss your project. Our in-house team will perform a feasibility study on your project and let you know which of our products is the best fit for you.

Additionally, you can call your local municipality and inquire about the permitting requirements. In any event, we have you covered.