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Houston and the Gulf Coast

On the Houston-area coast, a re-roof can need a state windstorm certificate: all of Galveston and Brazoria counties are TDI catastrophe areas, where repairs must be inspected to qualify for TWIA wind and hail cover. In Harris County, TDI's map shades only a strip east of Texas 146; check your address on TDI's windstorm map. Inland, the bigger questions are floodplain permits and which county your address is in.

Places in Houston and the Gulf Coast

Windstorm certificates on the Houston-area coast

Galveston and Brazoria are two of the 14 First Tier coastal counties. New structures, additions, alterations and repairs there, including re-roofs and roof repairs, must be built to TDI standards and inspected to qualify for TWIA wind and hail insurance; the resulting Certificate of Compliance is the WPI-8. Inspections are done by TDI windstorm inspectors or by a Texas-licensed engineer appointed by the Commissioner of Insurance. You can search a property's existing WPI-8, and a contractor's WPI-1 enrollment, on TDI's windstorm website or at 800-248-6032, option 3.

In Harris County the designated strip covers parts of Morgan's Point, La Porte, Shoreacres, Pasadena and Seabrook. A flood policy does not cover wind or hail damage, and TDI says mortgage lenders typically require wind coverage. The roofing guide covers roof claims.

Houston-area floodplain, power and property tax rules

Harris County requires a Floodplain Development Permit for any floodplain work in its jurisdiction. The Flood Control District's mapping tool shows FEMA floodplains by address but is not the effective FIRM, which is at msc.fema.gov. Unincorporated Fort Bend County needs a county permit for any work in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, and Montgomery County does not inspect home construction outside the floodplain and bars new septic systems in the floodway.

CenterPoint Energy maintains the lines across Greater Houston, and in deregulated areas you choose a retail provider. In League City, Friendswood, Dickinson, Texas City, Galveston, Alvin and Angleton, PowerToChoose lists plans for both CenterPoint and TNMP, so the wires utility depends on the address. Houston and Pasadena have no zoning, and many Houston neighborhoods rely on deed restrictions.

Appraisal districts are Harris Central (HCAD, protests through iFile), Galveston Central, Brazoria Central and Fort Bend Central. Protests are usually due by May 15, or 30 days after the notice is mailed if later. Mosquito spraying is a county service: Harris at 713-440-4800, Galveston at 800-842-5622, Brazoria at 979-265-4261 ext. 1532. For yard treatments, see the pest control guide.

Houston and Gulf Coast places by county

Harris County places

The City of Katy lies in three counties: Harris, Fort Bend and Waller.

Galveston County places

Brazoria County places

Pearland is mostly in Brazoria County, with smaller parts in Harris and Fort Bend counties.

Fort Bend County places

Sugar Land lies entirely in Fort Bend County.

  • Sugar Land

Montgomery County places

The Woodlands spans two counties: Creekside Park village is in Harris County and the other villages are in Montgomery County.

  • Conroe
  • The Woodlands

Houston and Gulf Coast local business FAQs

Does a re-roof near Houston need a windstorm inspection?+

In Galveston and Brazoria counties, re-roofs and roof repairs must be built to TDI standards and inspected for a WPI-8 to qualify for TWIA coverage. In Harris County, TDI's map shades only a strip east of Texas 146 in five cities, including part of Pasadena, so check your address on TDI's windstorm map.

Is the Harris County flood mapping tool the official flood map?+

No. The Flood Education Mapping Tool shows the FEMA floodplains by address, but the effective FIRM is on FEMA's site at msc.fema.gov.

Sources

Guide checked October 22, 2026.