Local services in Friendswood

Friendswood requires a permit to build, move, add to or structurally alter a building, and its Inspections and Permits page lists driveway replacements, fences, generators, irrigation systems, storage buildings and swimming pools as examples. Plan review normally takes 5 to 7 working days, so a fence or generator job may not start the week you book it.

Before you sign, ask the contractor which permit they will pull and get the number. Ask the permit office too whether your contractor has to register with the city before work starts.

Friendswood windstorm rules by county

Galveston County is one of Texas's First Tier coastal counties. On that side of Friendswood, new structures, additions, alterations and repairs, re-roofs included, must be built to TDI's standards and inspected to earn a WPI-8 Certificate of Compliance, which TWIA wind and hail coverage depends on. In Harris County, TDI's map shades only a strip east of Texas 146 in Morgan's Point, La Porte, Shoreacres, Pasadena and Seabrook. TDI says its maps are informational, so if your home is on the Harris side, check your address on TDI's windstorm map or ask TDI before you book a re-roof.

Choosing a Friendswood electricity plan

Friendswood is a retail-choice area: you pick a retail electric provider on PowerToChoose. ZIP 77546 shows plans from both CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric and Texas-New Mexico Power, so the wires utility that handles outages depends on your street address.

Friendswood water, sewer and trash

City of Friendswood Public Works maintains the water and wastewater lines inside city limits. The city does not take part in 811 for water and sewer markings; locate requests go to locates@friendswood.com, so anyone digging for a fence, sprinkler or sewer repair should email the city first. Ask your contractor which other utilities they will have located.

Waste Connections collects garbage twice a week and recycling and green waste once a week. Yard waste goes in clear bags of 35 pounds or less, and tied limb bundles can weigh up to 50 pounds. Mosquito spraying comes from your county, not the city: Harris County Mosquito Control at 713-440-4800 or Galveston County Mosquito Control at 281-534-2726.

The city describes Friendswood as inland yet still affected by storm surge from Galveston Bay and by flooding from four major creeks and their tributaries, and it takes part in FEMA's Community Rating System. Look up your address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov. Harris County residents can also use the Flood Control District's mapping tool, though it is not the effective FIRM.

Galveston County homes are valued by the Galveston Central Appraisal District, which takes protests through its online taxpayer portal. Harris County homes are valued by HCAD, which takes protests through iFile. Texas protests are usually due by May 15, or 30 days after the notice is mailed if later. Friendswood incorporated in 1960 and had 41,213 residents in the 2020 Census.

Home systems and repairs: plumbers, AC repair, electricians, roofers and pest control.

Yard, pool and upkeep: tree service, pool service, pressure washing and house cleaning.

Moving, health and professional help: movers, dentists, personal injury lawyers, realtors and gyms.

Friendswood is part of our Houston and Gulf Coast region. Neighbors Pearland and League City have their own pages with their permit offices and utilities.