Reconstruction after casualty.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 42-162
in effectSec. 42-162. - Reconstruction after casualty.
(a) Reconstruction of a building after fire, damage or other casualty not intentionally caused by the owner of the building or the owner's agent shall comply with the requirements of this division if the estimated cost to rebuild the damaged portion of the building exceeds 75 percent of the estimated replacement cost of the entire building, exclusive of the replacement cost of the building foundation.
(b) Reconstruction of a building after fire, damage or other casualty not intentionally caused by the owner of the building or the owner's agent shall not require compliance with the provisions of this division if:
(1) The estimated cost to rebuild is 75 percent or less of the estimated replacement cost of the entire building, after subtracting the estimated replacement cost of the building foundation; and
(2) The reconstruction would not result in an increase in the floor area of the building or a change in the use of the property.
(c) For purposes of this section, the determination of the estimated cost to rebuild and the estimated replacement cost of a building shall be based on a certified cost estimate provided by an architect or contractor and approved by the building official.
(Ord. No. 2013-343, § 3(Exh. A), 4-24-2013)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH42SUDEPL_ARTIIIPLST_DIV3BULI_SDAGEREBULI_S42-162REAFCAFetched: 10/26/2026