Engineering & Environmental Services
JRH
Texas Land Development Resources for Developers & Property Owners
Navigate the complex landscape of Texas land development with confidence. This comprehensive guide connects you with essential agencies, regulations, and approval processes for successful property development.
Local Planning & Zoning Departments
Your first and most critical step in any development project begins with local municipal or county authorities.
Key Local Contacts by Major Metro Areas
City of Austin Development Services
Why it matters: Development permits, zoning verification, subdivision review
Website: https://www.austintexas.gov/dsd
Phone: 512-974-2000
Why it matters: Building permits, zoning information, and site plan approval
Website: https://dallascityhall.com/departments/sustainabledevelopment/pages/default.aspx
Phone: 214-948-4480
City of Dallas Sustainable Development
Why it matters: Before breaking ground on any project, you must check with the local building department. Many cities (like Houston, Dallas, Austin) and counties require their own business registration, permits, and local contractor licenses to operate legally within their jurisdiction.
Website: https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/
Phone: 713-837-0311
City of Houston Planning & Development
Why it matters: Permit processing, zoning compliance, historic preservation
Website: https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/DSD
Phone: 210-207-1111
San Antonio Development Services:
Finding Your Local Department
Search Strategy: "[Your County Name] Planning Department" or "[Your City Name] Development Services"
Key Documents to Request: Zoning maps, subdivision regulations, comprehensive plans, fee schedules
State Regulatory Agencies & Resources
Why it matters: Water quality permits, stormwater management (SWPPP), waste disposal, air quality
Key for Developers: Required for projects impacting waterways, stormwater discharge, or involving certain industrial activities
Website: www.tceq.texas.gov
Phone: 1-888-777-3186
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Why it matters: State land records, coastal management programs, disaster recovery funding, historic preservation
Website: https://www.sba.gov/
Phone: 1-800-827-5722
Texas General Land Office (GLO)
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Why it matters: Driveway permits, utility crossings, traffic impact analysis, right-of-way dedication
Website: www.txdot.gov
Water Resources & Infrastructure
Why it matters: Regional water plans, funding assistance, technical modeling data, Water conservation planning, infrastructure funding, flood planning, groundwater data
Website: www.twdb.texas.gov
Phone: 512-463-7847
Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
Environmental & Natural Resource Protection
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD)
Why it matters: Regional water plans, funding assistance, technical modeling data, Water conservation planning, infrastructure funding, flood planning, groundwater data
Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/
Phone: (800) 792-1112
Federal Programs & Rural Development
USDA Rural Development
Why it matters: Programs Available: Community facility loans, water/wastewater funding, rural business development grants. Eligibility: Typically for communities under 10,000-50,000 population depending on program
Website: www.rd.usda.gov/tx
Phone: (254) 742-9700
Legal Research & Property Law
Texas State Law Library
Why it matters: Land use case law, property rights research, regulatory takings information
Website: https://www.sll.texas.gov/
Typical Texas Land Development Process
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Zoning verification and land use restrictions
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Environmental site assessment (Phase I)
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Utility capacity and availability
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Preliminary development cost estimation
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Survey and boundary determination
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Conceptual site planning
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Civil engineering design (grading, drainage, utilities)
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Environmental permit applications
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Local planning commission review
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TCEQ and other state agency permits
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Construction document preparation
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Building permit application
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Finding Your Local Department
Search Strategy: "[Your County Name] Planning Department" or "[Your City Name] Development Services"
Key Documents to Request: Zoning maps, subdivision regulations, comprehensive plans, fee schedules
Why Texas Developers & Property Owners Choose JRH to Expedite Projects
In Texas development, time is money. Every day lost in delayed approvals, redesigns, or regulatory hurdles directly impacts project profitability. JRH Engineering delivers a strategic advantage through Texas-specific expertise, streamlined processes, and proven methodologies that accelerate project timelines while maintaining quality and compliance.
JRH's deep understanding of Texas regulatory frameworks eliminates common bottlenecks:
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FEMA Compliance Efficiency: Pre-emptive identification of environmental requirements, avoiding 4-8 week delays in permit reviews
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Local Municipality Relationships: Established connections with planning departments across major Texas metros
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TxDOT Coordination: Expertise in roadway access, utility crossings, and right-of-way permitting processes
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Water District Protocols: Familiarity with Texas's unique groundwater conservation district requirements
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Standard Process
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6-8 week local agency submittal
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45 week TxDOT hydrology approval
Total: 52 weeks
JRH Expedited Process
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3 local agency submittal
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35 week TxDOT approval
Total: 38 weeks
Average Time Savings: 10-14 Weeks-
Single-Source Efficiency
Unlike firms requiring multiple consultants, JRH provides integrated civil, structural, and environmental services:-
Eliminated Coordination Delays: No waiting for separate civil and structural engineers to align designs
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Unified Project Management: Single point of contact and responsibility
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Seamless Design Integration: Structural requirements incorporated into civil designs from inception
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Consistent Quality Control: Uniform standards across all project phases
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Commercial Projects: 23% faster entitlement-to-permit timeline vs. industry average
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Residential Subdivisions: 17% reduction in overall development timeline
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Industrial Facilities: 31% faster design-to-construction timeline
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Municipal Projects: 42% higher first-submission approval rate
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Geographic & Climatic Adaptation
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Central Texas: Expertise in Edwards Aquifer protection and karst topography
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Gulf Coast: Hurricane-resistant design and flood zone compliance
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West Texas: Seismic considerations and expansive soil management
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North Texas: Tornado and high-wind structural requirements
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Local Material Sourcing: Relationships with Texas suppliers for cost-effective material procurement
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Climate-Responsive Design: Solutions addressing Texas heat, humidity, and seasonal variations
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Water Management Mastery: Expertise in Texas water rights and conservation requirements
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Advanced Design & Analysis Tools
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Digital Permitting Submissions: Electronic plan review with municipal partners, Automated weekly updates.
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Pre-emptive Problem Identification
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Due Diligence Excellence: Early identification of site constraints and regulatory hurdles
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Value Engineering: Cost-saving alternatives identified during the design phase
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Constructability Reviews: Practical buildability assessment before bidding
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Design Errors & Omissions
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Traditional Cost: 5-15% of project cost
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JRH Mitigation: 2-4% through rigorous QC
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Design Errors & Omissions
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Traditional Cost: 5-15% of project cost
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JRH Mitigation: 2-4% through rigorous QC
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Traditional Cost: 7-12% of contract value
JRH Mitigation: 3-5% through thorough documentation
Operationalizing Our Core Promise
Done Quickly-
Standardized Processes: Repeatable workflows refined through Texas project experience
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Parallel Task Execution: Overlapping design phases where feasible
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Pre-Approved Details: Municipal-accepted standard details that accelerate review
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Proactive Agency Coordination: Early and continuous engagement with regulators
Done Right
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Texas-Licensed Expertise: Professional engineers familiar with local requirements
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Quality Assurance Protocols: Multi-layer review processes
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Continuous Education: Staying current with evolving Texas codes and regulations
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Performance Metrics: Tracking on-time delivery and client satisfaction
Best Value
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Lifecycle Cost Analysis: Evaluating long-term operational savings, not just initial cost
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Efficiency-Driven Design: Optimizing systems for construction speed and material usage
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Transparent Pricing: Fixed-fee proposals with clear scope definitions
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Relationship Pricing: Preferred client rates for repeat business
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Beyond Traditional Engineering Services
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Market Intelligence: Insights on Texas development trends and opportunities
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Network Access: Connections to reputable contractors, suppliers, and investors
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Financial Modeling Support: Assistance with pro forma development and ROI analysis
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Exit Strategy Planning: Engineering input for asset valuation and disposition
Scalable Engagement Models
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Full-Service Partnership: Comprehensive design through construction administration
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Accelerated Due Diligence: Rapid site assessment and feasibility analysis
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Permit Expediting Service: Focused regulatory navigation for specific challenges
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Peer Review Consultation: Independent assessment of third-party designs
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Texas developers and property owners choose JRH Engineering not merely for engineering services, but for predictable project outcomes in an unpredictable regulatory environment. Our value proposition extends beyond technical competence to encompass:
Time-to-Market Acceleration
Through regulatory mastery and integrated services
Cost Certainty
Via rigorous risk management and value engineering
Quality Assurance
From Texas-specific expertise and robust processes
Strategic Partnership
That contributes to overall project success
In the competitive Texas development landscape, JRH Engineering transforms the traditional engineer-client relationship into a strategic advantage that delivers projects Done Quickly. Done Right. And for the Best Value.
One of the biggest challenges in the engineering industry is the lack of communication. At JRH, we address this challenge head-on by prioritizing clear, prompt communication in every project.
We understand that successful projects require constant collaboration and transparency. That’s why we provide our clients with regular updates, quick responses to inquiries, and a commitment to keeping everyone on the same page. Our efficient communication ensures that projects are completed smoothly, on time, and within budget.
Our team of civil engineering consultants is trained to the highest industry standards, bringing extensive knowledge and expertise to every project. With decades of combined experience in civil, structural, and environmental engineering, we have the skills and insights necessary to tackle even the most complex projects.
Whether you’re developing a new neighborhood, constructing a commercial building, or undertaking an infrastructure project, you can trust our team of structural and civil engineers to deliver solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and precision.
Our engineers excel in both structural design and analysis. We ensure that every structural component and structural system we work on is optimized for safety, functionality, and durability.
From the initial structural analysis to the final design and implementation, our expertise ensures that each structural element integrates seamlessly into the overall construction. Whether working on new constructions or assessing existing structures, our focus is always on delivering comprehensive, reliable results.
JRH Engineering is a proud woman-owned business certified by the Women's Business Enterprise (WBE).
This certification creates opportunities for us to work on government projects and other large-scale initiatives.
Quality engineering services should be accessible to everyone, regardless of the project's size or budget. At JRH, we are committed to offering competitive pricing without compromising on quality.
We work closely with our clients to develop customized solutions that meet their specific needs and budgets, ensuring that you receive the best value for your investment. Our goal is to provide high-quality, affordable, and tailored engineering services that meet your specific requirements.
In today’s fast-paced world, time is of the essence. As a leading civil and structural engineering firm, we understand the importance of meeting tight deadlines. Our streamlined processes and efficient project management ensure that your project is completed on time and to your satisfaction.
We are committed to delivering results that meet your timelines without compromising on quality. Whether it’s a large-scale infrastructure construction project or a smaller residential development, JRH Engineering is your go-to partner for timely and effective solutions.
JRH Engineering & Environmental Services is more than just a civil engineering firm; we are your partners in success. We do more than just help developers build - we help developers build right.
Ready to learn more about how we can help you with your next project? Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced professionals. We’re here to deliver engineering solutions with integrity to make your vision a reality.
JRH Engineering & Environmental Services offers a vast range of capabilities for prospective Texas, North Carolina, and Florida clients, including, but not limited to: Cities, Counties, Governmental Entities, Residential Developers, Contractors, Architects, and Commercial Property Builders.
Our firm employs several licensed Engineers. Each with diversified expertise in multiple aspects of Civil, Environmental, and Structural Engineering and offers their technical abilities, past experiences, education, and enthusiasm to assist our clients with the highest quality of services for the entire state of Texas, including the Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Beaumont, Galveston Bay, and Corpus Christi metropolitan areas.
JRH has expanded to deliver top-tier engineering services across the entire state of North Carolina, including the Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem metropolitan areas.
Additionally, JRH has recently broadened its expertise to provide exceptional engineering solutions throughout the state of Florida, encompassing the Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale metropolitan regions.
We understand that budget, time, and quality are all extremely important factors in our clients' projects. Therefore, our Consulting Engineering Services help guide our clients in the most efficient and cost-effective direction to execute their development within their budget and timeline.
Our firm's Client Service is unsurpassed in the industry. We keep our clients informed at all stages of the process of their project with promptly returned correspondence. Each, and every one of our personnel is highly skilled and truly cares about our clients' needs and desires. In our industry, we have the ability to help our client’s development dreams come true and that is our passion!Get in touch today for a complimentary estimate or consultation on your Civil | Structural | Environmental Engineering design project.
Proudly serving clients across Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.
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