Building codes regulate almost every residential building project a property owner undertakes. Most projects require a building permit, and many require electrical and/or plumbing permits.

The following addresses projects that may or may not need a permit. For further questions or additional information, please contact the Building Inspection Department.

Why Permits?
Permits are required for your personal safety and that of your family and guests. They are also required to protect future home purchasers who deserve reasonable assurance that the home they buy will be safe. Your home is an investment. The inspector represents and protects you and the City to insure work meets minimum code requirements. Work without permits may require double permit fees, uncovering or removing of illegal work, court appearances and fines. Also, Texas Law requires full disclosure of work without permits at the sale of a property. The sale of your investment may be complicated if no permit was issued for work that required a permit.

Obtaining Building Permits and Permit Inspections
The homeowner who resides at the property, or a licensed contractor representing the owner may apply for a building permit. The permit process typically begins with the submittal of a building permit application and plans detailing the proposed work. Following the review of the application and submitted plans and details, a building permit may be issued. This review process can take up to 10 business days. Once a permit gets issued, the work may begin. The homeowner or contractor is required to schedule an appointment with the inspector for the necessary inspections. Typically, an inspection record card is issued with the permit which outlines what inspections are required for each project.

When a permit is required:

• New Residential 
• Commercial 
• Swimming Pool, Prefabricated Pool/Spa larger than 24 inches in depth 
• Flat Work (driveway, sidewalk patio slab extension) 
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Plumbing 
• Sign Permit 
• Burn Permit
• Other
  • Demolition
  • Additions (patios covers, carports, additional rooms)
  • Remodels (if it changes the structure of the resident/building in any way)
  • Storage/Accessory Building (larger than 120 sq. ft)
  • Foundation/Leveling
  • Generator
  • Solar Panels

When no permit is required:

• One-Story detached accessory structures used as a tool/storage shed, playhouses, and similar uses where the floor area does not exceed 120 sq. ft.
• Fences
• Roof
• Anything “cosmetic” in nature including but not limited to painting, flooring, cabinets, cabinets
• Culverts (See procedure for Culverts)
• Prefabricated swimming pool less than 24 inches in depth
• Swings and other playground equipment
• Slabs, decking where the floor area does not exceed 120 sq ft.

Electrical:

1. Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
2. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets, therefore.
3. Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location.
4. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
5. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

Plumbing:

1. Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

Mechanical:

1. Portable heating appliances.
2. Portable ventilation appliances.
3. Portable cooling units.
4. Steam, hot- or chilled-water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative coolers.

For more information on code and permit requirements regarding your project, call 979-265-2082.