Council conditions approval after house moved into Brookshire without city permit; ordinance allows daily fine

BROOKSHIRE, Texas ' Homeowners who moved a house into the city without obtaining all required city permits told the City Council on Sept. 4 that their contractor had been responsible for permitting and had not pulled the full set of permits before the move. The council approved allowing E and G Real Estate Properties LLC to relocate the house at 3919 Seventh Street to 1220 Kellner Road, but did so conditionally: staff must verify that all required documentation, plan review (including engineering where required), permits, ordinance compliance and any fines are addressed before final approval.

Ricky, who spoke for the applicants, said the moving company had represented that it would obtain permits and had been paid 50 percent of work costs; the house was sitting on the lot and had not been set on foundations. City staff noted that moving the house without a permit is a criminal ordinance violation in Brookshire and referenced an ordinance that authorizes a $2,000-per-day fine for unauthorized moves. The council discussed liability concerns, floodplain considerations and engineering review.

Councilmember discussion emphasized that the lot at 1220 Kellner Road included both areas inside the 500-year flood zone and portions not in the 100-year floodplain; the city engineer and planning staff must review submitted plans and ensure the house meets floodplain and permitting requirements. The council voted to approve the relocation application contingent on completion of the formal permitting process, payment of any applicable fines or fees, and required plan reviews by the city engineer and other reviewing agencies. The transcript records the motion and second and a voice vote in favor.

Ending: Staff was instructed to ensure the homeowners and their contractor complete the permitting and plan review steps (including floodplain checks) and to return with documentation before the move is finalized.