Where do I get a building permit for my construction project in Texas?

Building permits are usually issued by the city in Texas in which you will be doing the construction. Most cities will also have development jurisdiction for property within a certain distance of the official city limits, meaning that if the property falls within this area you will still have to apply for a building permit from the city even if you are located outside of the city boundaries. Properties in Texas that use city utilities may also be subject to city jurisdiction when it comes to new construction projects. Your local Building Department or Planning Office will have more information on where you should apply for your building permit.

 

CLICK THE LINKS TO YOUR CITY BELOW TO APPLY FOR A BUILDING PERMIT Some cities have a general building permit application, whereas others have separate permit applications for project type or for the different phases of construction. Not all cities have forms on their site and might only list a contact and phone number.

Abilene	Amarillo	Arlington
Austin	Baytown	Beaumont
Brownsville	Bryan	Carrollton
College Station	Corpus Christi	Dallas
Denton	El Paso	Flower Mound
Fort Worth	Galveston	Garland
Harlingen	Houston	Irving
Killeen	Laredo	Lewisville
Longview	Lubbock	McAllen
McKinney	Mesquite	Midland
Missouri City	North Richland Hills	Odessa
Pasadena	Plano	Port Arthur
Richardson	Round Rock	San Angelo
San Antonio	Sugar Land	Temple
Tyler	Victoria	Waco
Wichita Falls

When is a permit generally required in Texas?

You will need to get a permit for any new construction or demolition, as well as for any structural alterations to an existing structure in Texas. This includes building small structures like decks and pools, and alterations like interior and exterior remodeling, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.

What documents and/or information will I need to put on my permit application?

Because building regulations are set by your local government in Texas, the information requested on the application may vary by city. But generally the building permit application will ask you to provide some basic information about the property and the proposed construction project in Texas.

These requirements may include:
• Property address
• Property owner’s name and contact information
• The names and contract information of any contractor, architect, or engineer working on the project
• Proposed use of the building
• Type of work
• Description of the work
• Total valuation of the construction

Some cities like Austin may ask for additional information on the property and proposed plan, including the dimensions of certain rooms and structures. For most building permit applications in Texas you will also need to submit drawn plans showing the construction to be done.

Are other permits required for building work?

Depending on the work you are planning to do in Texas you may need to get additional permits. These include electrical permits, mechanical permits, and plumbing permits. Some cities may also require sign permits, concrete permits for public sidewalks and right-of-ways, and development permits. Your local Building Department can advise you on what permit you will need for your project. Keep in mind that you must receive all required permits before construction can begin; not doing so can subject you to penalties and fines and may hamper the completion of your project.  

Disclaimer: This site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advise. The information on this site should not be relied upon as an official source of information and should be independently verified.