Subject: Lumber Yards and Woodworking Plants 

Revised: April 2025 

Purpose: An operational permit is required to store lumber in excess of one hundred thousand board feet or to store firewood in excess of ten cords; or to conduct woodworking operations involving mass production or involving more than one of each type of machine, or where machines are used continuously, or substantial products of sawdust may be a problem. Lumberyards, woodworking operational permits shall be renewed on an annual basis. 

Fees: $300.00 Annually 

Requirements: A Lumber Yards and Woodworking Plants permit will be issued once an application has been completed appropriately, all applicable documents have been uploaded, reviewed, and approved.  

Applications will be completed electronically, and all required documentation shall be uploaded electronically. There shall be no paper submissions. Permit application shall be completed and submitted through the approved Harris County software program. Once the application is received along with all required documentation, the Fire Code Official will conduct a review. When the permit process is complete, and authorization is given, the applicant will be notified that the permit is issued, and the duration of the permit will be indicated.  

All Lumber Yards and Woodworking Plants permit applications will begin with generalized information requirements. This information will pertain to the property information/property owner’s information/application information/project name.  

When applying for a Lumber Yards and Woodworking Plants operational permit the applicant shall provide the following information:  

• Site map identifying all outside storage, including maximum quantity and storage configuration. Also identify location of all on-site fire suppression to include fire pumps, ponds, water supplies, layout of fire lanes, gas meter, and Knox Box if installed. If renewing a lumber yard and woodworking plants operational permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• Site plan shall also identify all wood storage including:  

• • Location of all stacks or piles, 

• • Quantity in each stack or pile, 

• • Configuration of stack or piles, 

• • Location of all structures on property, 

• • Location of hydrants, hose lines, and extinguishers; 

• A drawing/ floor plan of building including all storage racking with storage height, entrance and exits, location of primary and secondary exit routes, locations of fire extinguishers, fire protection system panels, risers, and/or other fire protection control systems and/or panels, etc. If renewing a lumber yard and woodworking plants operational permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• A copy of the emergency plan, compliant with Chapter 4 of the International Fire Code, current adopted edition; 

• Information on types of fire alarm systems installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire alarm systems or other gas detection systems at the facility; 

• Information on installed sprinkler systems and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire sprinkler systems at the facility; 

• Information on fire extinguishers or any type of alternate (including but not limited to automatic hood suppression, paint booth systems, clean agent) fire protection system installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s)); 

• Detailed written description of the on-site operations; 

• A written statement certifying compliance with International Fire Code Chapter 28 and all other codes, standards, and manufacturer’s recommendation for equipment.  

If one or more of the requested documents does not apply to your location, please submit in writing a reason for not submitting. 

Storage of wood chips and hogged material at production facilities – See wood products operational permits. 

Denial: If it is determined that an application fails to meet the requirements as set forth in this standard or the applicant refuses to provide all required documentation, the fire code official shall not issue a permit, but shall return the application to the applicant with explanation for refusal.  

Revocation: The fire code official is authorized to revoke a permit where it is found that there has been false statements or misrepresentation as to the material facts in the application or supporting documentation on which the approval and issuance was based, the permit was issued to a different person or firm than named on the permit, the permittee failed, refused or neglected to comply with orders or notices duly served in accordance with the provisions of this code within the time provided therein, or the permit was issued in error or in violation of an ordinance, regulation or this code.