Arlington building permits
Building permits in Arlington are issued by the City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Department1. You can apply and request inspections online through ap.arlingtontx.gov2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Building codes in force in Arlington
- Arlington building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Arlington
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Arlington
- Building without a permit in Arlington
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Texas rules that also apply in Arlington
- Sources
Building department contacts
City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Department1
Building permits
- Website
- arlingtontx.gov3
- Apply online
- ap.arlingtontx.gov2
- Phone
- (817) 459-65023
- [email protected]3
- Address
- 101 W Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76010 (City Hall, 2nd floor)3
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.3
- Inspections
- Online at ArlingtonPermits.com; requests before 7:00 am are same-day4
Arlington Fire Prevention4
Fire marshal
- Phone
- (817) 459-55424
- Address
- 405 W. Main Street (Fire Prevention Offices)5
City of Arlington contractor business registration (Planning & Development Services)2
Contractor licensing
- Website
- arlingtontx.gov6
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: ap.arlingtontx.gov7.
Building codes in force in Arlington
These are the model codes Arlington enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Texas building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective | Adopted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2021 International Building Code8 | 20218 | January 1, 2023 (permit applications must comply)9 | Ordinance No. 22-055 (November 1, 2022), Construction Chapter Article I8 |
| International Residential Code (IRC) | 2021 International Residential Code8 | 20218 | January 1, 2023 (permit applications must comply)9 | Ordinance No. 22-055 (November 1, 2022), Construction Chapter Article I8 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2021 International Existing Building Code8 | 20218 | January 1, 2023 (permit applications must comply)9 | Ordinance No. 22-055 (November 1, 2022), Construction Chapter Article I8 |
| Energy code, residential | 2021 International Energy Conservation Code8 | 20218 | January 1, 2023 (permit applications must comply)9 | Ordinance No. 22-055 (November 1, 2022), Construction Chapter Article I8 |
| Energy code, commercial | 2021 International Energy Conservation Code8 | 20218 | January 1, 2023 (permit applications must comply)9 | Ordinance No. 22-055 (November 1, 2022), Construction Chapter Article I8 |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) | 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code8 | 20218 | January 1, 2023 (permit applications must comply)9 | Ordinance No. 22-055 (November 1, 2022), Construction Chapter Article I8 |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2021 International Plumbing Code10 | 202110 | January 1, 2023 (permit applications must comply)9 | Ordinance No. 23-041 (August 22, 2023), as last amendment of the Plumbing Chapter10 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | 2021 International Fuel Gas Code10 | 202110 | January 1, 2023 (permit applications must comply)9 | Ordinance No. 23-041 (August 22, 2023), as last amendment of the Plumbing Chapter10 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | 2021 International Mechanical Code11 | 202111 | January 1, 2023 (permit applications must comply)9 | Ordinance No. 23-040 (August 22, 2023), as last amendment of the Mechanical Chapter11 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | 2021 International Fire Code9 | 20219 | January 1, 2023 (permit applications must comply)9 | Ordinance No. 22-056 (November 1, 2022), Fire Prevention Chapter Article I12 |
Arlington building permit fees
Fees come from the City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective October 1, 2026, Resolution No. 26-28813.
How valuation is set. Residential 1-2 family: square feet (Table 2); certain residential items at $75.00/sq ft valuation (Table 1); commercial: declared valuation (Table 1)13.
Each line is worded as in Arlington’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Building Permit Fee - Based on Square Feet, 0 - 500 sq. ft. | Per square foot | 0 - 500 sq. ft. $1.00 per square foot or $300.00 (whichever is greater)13 |
| Residential Building Permit Fee - Based on Square Feet, second row | Per square foot | Effective June 1, 2026 $500.00 plus $0.75 per square foot13 |
| Residential Building Permit Fee - Based on Square Feet, 1001 - 2,000 sq. ft. | Per square foot | 1001 - 2,000 sq. ft. $875.00 plus $0.50 per square foot13 |
| Residential Building Permit Fee - Based on Square Feet, 2,001 sq. ft. and Up | Per square foot | 2,001 sq. ft. and Up $1,375.00 plus $0.40 per square foot13 |
| Commercial Building Permit Fee (Table 1), $0 and up to $2,000 | Based on project valuation | $0 and up to $2,000 $325.0013 |
| Commercial Building Permit Fee (Table 1), $2,001 and up to $25,000 | Based on project valuation | $2,001 and up to $25,000 $325.00 for the first $2,000 plus $9.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $25,00013 |
| Commercial Building Permit Fee (Table 1), $25,001 and up to $50,000 | Based on project valuation | $25,001 and up to $50,000 $532.00 for the first $25,000 plus $8.50 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $50,00013 |
| Commercial Building Permit Fee (Table 1), $50,001 and up to $100,000 | Based on project valuation | $50,001 and up to $100,000 $744.50 for the first $50,000 plus $7.50 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $100,00013 |
| Commercial Building Permit Fee (Table 1), $100,001 and up to $500,000 | Based on project valuation | $100,001 and up to $500,000 $1,119.50 for the first $100,000 plus $6.50 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $500,00013 |
| Plan Review Fee (35% of building permit fee) | Plan review | The non-refundable plan review fee shall be assessed at 35% of the building permit fee.13 |
| Residential: Addition, Alteration, Remodel & Repairs | Per square foot | Addition, Alteration, Remodel & Repairs* Based on square feet - Table 2; with a minimum charge of $325.0013 |
| Residential: Fence, Residential Lot | Flat fee | Fence, Residential Lot $50.00 each13 |
| Residential: Fence, Swimming Pool Barrier | Flat fee | Fence, Swimming Pool Barrier $50.0013 |
| Residential: Patio Cover, Screened Porch, Gazebo & Decks | Flat fee | Patio Cover, Screened Porch, Gazebo & Decks* $300.0013 |
| Residential: Portable Storage/Accessory Building 320 sq.ft. and under | Flat fee | Portable Storage/Accessory Building 320 sq.ft. and under $50.00 each13 |
| Residential: Permanent Storage/Accessory Building over 320 sq.ft. | Based on project valuation | Permanent Storage/Accessory Building over 320 sq.ft.* Based on Valuation - Table 113 |
| Residential: Reroof | Flat fee | Reroof* $325.0013 |
| Residential: Swimming Pool - In-ground (1 & 2 Family) (Spa included) | Flat fee | Swimming Pool - In-ground (1 & 2 Family) (Spa included)* $325.00 each13 |
| Residential: Swimming Pool - Above-ground (1 & 2 Family) | Flat fee | Swimming Pool - Above-ground (1 & 2 Family)* $200.0013 |
| Residential: Spa Storable (1 & 2 Family) | Flat fee | Spa Storable (1 & 2 Family) $50.0013 |
| Residential: Solar Panel | Flat fee | Solar Panel* $325.0013 |
| Residential: Home Backup Power Installations (third-party plan review and inspections) | Flat fee | Home Backup Power Installations (for third-party plan review and inspections) $300.0013 |
| Residential: Foundation repair | Flat fee | Foundation repair* $200.0013 |
| Residential: Garage Conversion | Per square foot | Garage Conversion* Based on square feet - Table 2; with a minimum charge of $325.0013 |
| Residential: Carport & Porte Cochere | Flat fee | Carport & Porte Cochere* $250.0013 |
| Residential: Detached Garage | Based on project valuation | Detached Garage* Based on Valuation - Table 113 |
| Residential: Retaining Wall | Based on project valuation | Retaining Wall Based on Valuation - Table 113 |
| Residential: Windows/Doors Replacement (2 or more) | Flat fee | Windows/Doors Replacement (2 or more)* $100.00 - 2 windows/doors $150.00 - 3 windows/doors or more13 |
| Residential: Sidewalk, Curb, Drive Approach | Flat fee | Sidewalk, Curb, Drive Approach - (Note: No charge if issued with project building permit) $100.0013 |
| Residential: Fee for any permit required by the Construction Chapter not elsewhere specified | Minimum fee | $100.00 Minimum, and the Building Official may set appropriate fee based on scope of work and/or investigation/plan review to recover the cost of review and inspection13 |
| Electrical base permit fee (not associated with building permit) | Flat fee | Base permit fee $100.0013 |
| Electrical: Services and sub panels up to and including 200 amps | Flat fee | Up to and including 200 amps $35.0013 |
| Electrical: Electrical Vehicle Charging Station 120 - 480 Volt | Flat fee | Electrical Vehicle Charging Station 120 - 480 Volt $30.00 each13 |
| Plumbing: Water heater, first water heater | Flat fee | Water heater, first water heater $20.0013 |
| Mechanical: HVAC complete split/package/DX system up to and including 10 tons, first system | Flat fee | HVAC complete refrigeration split/package/DX system up to and including 10 tons per first system $40.0013 |
| Demolition permit | Flat fee | Demolish, wreck, raze, or dismantle a building or structure within the City $200.00 per building13 |
| Reinspection fee | Re-inspection | Reinspection fee $200.0013 |
| Same Day Inspection | Per inspection | Same Day Inspection $200.0013 |
| After-Hours Inspections | After-hours inspection | After-Hours Inspections - (minimum fee is $200. This covers the first two hours.) $200.0013 |
| Extension/reinstatement of permit application and approved or issued permit | Flat fee | Extension/reinstatement of permit application and approved or issued permit $150.0013 |
| Homeowner Exam | Flat fee | Homeowner Exam $50.0013 |
| Revisions to Issued Permits | Flat fee | Revisions to Issued Permits $75.00 per hour13 |
| Business Registration (1 year) | Flat fee | 1 year $100.0013 |
| Business Registration (2 years) | Flat fee | 2 years $175.0013 |
| AI Plan Pre-Check Fee | Flat fee | AI Plan Pre-Check Fee $15.0013 |
How to get a building permit in Arlington
- Contractor (or resident homeowner) holds a City business/homeowner registration8
- Apply online at ArlingtonPermits.com and upload digital plans2
- Pay the non-refundable plan review fee at submittal (application not received until paid)13
- Plan review; permit issued when plans conform and fees are paid8
- Post the permit at the job site, visible from the street8
- Request inspections online at ArlingtonPermits.com in phase order4
- Final inspection after all permitted work is complete8
Permit expiration and extensions
Inspections in Arlington
Arlington’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Footing and foundation inspection8
- Concrete slab and under-floor inspection8
- Frame inspection (residential 'seconds': mechanical rough, electrical rough, plumbing top-out, framing)8
- Energy efficiency inspections8
- Final inspection8
- How to schedule
- Online at ArlingtonPermits.com; same-day if requested before 7:00 am4
- Re-inspection fee
- Reinspection fee $200.0013
- After the final inspection
- Final approval (CO not required for 1- and 2-family structures)4
Building without a permit in Arlington
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher permit fee Arlington PDS Fee Schedule eff. October 1, 2026 (Res. 26-288); Construction Chapter § 4.09 | Building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work started without a permit (residential and commercial)13 | Penalty equal to the permit fee, in addition to the permit fee charged13 | Continuing duty to obtain the required permit for work already performed8 |
| Investigation fee Arlington City Code, Construction Chapter § 4.09 | Work begun before obtaining the required permit8 | Investigation fee of the site, in addition to the permit fee (amount not stated in § 4.09)8 | – |
| Criminal penalty Arlington City Code, Construction Chapter § 20.01 | Any violation of the Construction Chapter; each day a separate offense8 | Fine not to exceed $500.00 (no culpable mental state); up to $2,000.00 for fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation offenses8 | – |
| Criminal penalty Arlington City Code, Construction Chapter § 4.02(H) | Owning/occupying/controlling premises where unpermitted work was performed, until the permit is obtained; each day a separate offense8 | Unlawful to own/occupy/control the premises until any required permit is obtained (penalty per § 20.01)8 | – |
| Stop-work order Arlington City Code, Construction Chapter § 1.04 (IRC R109.1 as amended, Stop Work Order) | Contractor discovered working without a permit2 | Stop work order; work may have to be uncovered and redone; owner ultimately responsible2 | – |
| Permit revoked Arlington City Code, Construction Chapter § 4.08 | Permit issued in error, on incorrect information, or in violation of law8 | Suspension or revocation in writing8 | – |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes, with homeowner registration, for an existing structure the owner resides in as homestead8
- Homeowner electrical work
- Limited: up to three new branch circuits/extensions not over 30 A in own legal residence, after passing the homeowner electrical exam; service equipment only with a TDLR license15
- Homeowner plumbing work
- Yes for alteration/repair on own residence (registration exemption); permits still required10
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Must live in the home and declare it primary residence6
Texas's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Texas permit guide.
Texas rules that also apply in Arlington
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Texas
- Contractor licensing in Texas
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Texas
- Private plan review and inspections in Texas
Sources
- Permitting & InspectionsCity of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Building Permits / Inspections FAQsCity of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Planning & DevelopmentCity of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Technical BulletinsCity of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Reroof Permits & InspectionsCity of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Contractor Registration / Business RegistrationsCity of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Arlington Permits - Public SearchCity of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Construction Chapter, Code of the City of Arlington (amended by Ord. 24-054, September 17, 2024)City of Arlington, City Council (Code of Ordinances, hosted on arlingtontx.gov)Revised September 17, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Building CodesCity of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing Chapter, Code of the City of Arlington (amended by Ord. 23-041, August 22, 2023)City of Arlington, City Council (Code of Ordinances, hosted on arlingtontx.gov)Revised August 22, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Mechanical Chapter, Code of the City of Arlington (amended by Ord. 23-040, August 22, 2023)City of Arlington, City Council (Code of Ordinances, hosted on arlingtontx.gov)Revised August 22, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Fire Prevention Chapter, Code of the City of Arlington (amended by Ord. 25-032, April 22, 2025)City of Arlington, City Council (Code of Ordinances, hosted on arlingtontx.gov)Revised April 22, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective October 1, 2026 (Resolution No. 26-288)City of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Permit Applications & FormsCity of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Electrical Chapter, Code of the City of Arlington (amended by Ord. 23-039, August 22, 2023)City of Arlington, City Council (Code of Ordinances, hosted on arlingtontx.gov)Revised August 22, 2023Checked November 7, 2026