Where is La Porte?
La Porte is a city on the northwest shore of Trinity Bay, the inland extension of Galveston Bay, in southeastern Harris County. La Porte ISD also covers portions of Deer Park. The 2020 Census counted 35,124 residents. The Census Bureau gives its land area as 18.60 square miles.
How did La Porte develop?
La Porte began as a real estate venture by developers from Denver, Colorado. I. R. Holmes interested the brothers A. M. and J. H. York in a town site on the bay, and they formed the Interior Land and Immigration Company with Tom Lee. The name is the French word for “door.” The city incorporated on August 10, 1892, and calls itself the oldest incorporated town in east Harris County.
St. Mary’s Seminary operated in La Porte from 1900 until 1954. In 1915 a fire destroyed the downtown business district, and a hurricane struck the same year. In the 1920s and 1930s Sylvan Beach Amusement Park drew big bands and crowds. The La Porte–Baytown tunnel opened in 1953. The Johnson Space Center and the Bayport Channel later brought growth. Lomax consolidated with La Porte in 1980.
Who governs La Porte, and who provides services?
All powers of the city are vested in the City Council. The council has a mayor and eight council members. The mayor and two at-large members are elected citywide, and six members are elected from districts. All serve three-year terms.
The city’s Utilities Division provides drinking water and sanitary sewer service. It runs the Little Cedar Bayou Wastewater Treatment Plant, which treats about 4 million gallons a day. The Legislature created the La Porte Area Water Authority in 1981 to secure surface water, and the city’s Water Production division operates it.
Which school districts serve La Porte?
La Porte ISD covers 55 square miles in La Porte, Shoreacres, Morgan’s Point and portions of Deer Park. Its 12 campuses were renovated or rebuilt between 2015 and 2018 under a 2014 bond.
What permit, property and flood rules apply in La Porte?
The Inspection Services Division handles building permits, plan review and inspections and checks work against zoning and construction codes. Since June 18, 2024, permit applications and inspection requests go through the city’s Citizen Self Service portal. The Planning Division advises the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The city is exposed to riverine, coastal and urban flooding. Its main drainage sources are the Little Cedar Bayou, Clear Creek and Armand Bayou watersheds and Galveston Bay. The City Engineer keeps the current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map at City Hall.