Austin building permits
Building permits in Austin are issued by the Austin Development Services1. You can apply and request inspections online through abc.austintexas.gov2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Do you need a permit in Austin? Common projects
- Building codes in force in Austin
- Austin building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Austin
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Austin
- Building without a permit in Austin
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Texas rules that also apply in Austin
- Sources
Building department contacts
Austin Development Services1
Building permits
- Website
- austintexas.gov1
- Apply online
- abc.austintexas.gov2
- Phone
- (512) 978-40003
- Address
- Permitting and Development Center (PDC), 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, Texas 787524
- Hours
- Building hours Mon-Fri 7:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; standard staff service hours Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m.4
- Inspections
- Online via AB+C Portal or by phone (IVR 512-974-9405)5
Building Inspection Division (Austin Development Services)6
Building permits
- Website
- austintexas.gov6
- Phone
- (512) 974-9405 (IVR inspection scheduling)5
- [email protected]5
- Hours
- Inspections Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.6
- Inspections
- AB+C Portal or IVR5
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: abc.austintexas.gov3.
Do you need a permit in Austin? Common projects
Each project below has its own page with Austin's exact rule, the official wording, fees and inspections.
| Project | Permit needed? | Key limit in the city rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fence | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this height: 7 feet10 |
| Deck | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet11 |
| Shed | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet11 |
| Roof | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 128 square feet11 |
| Pool | Depends on size or scope | Pools exempt below this depth: 24 inches11 |
| Water heater | Yes | – |
Building codes in force in Austin
These are the model codes Austin 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 Residential Code (IRC) | International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2024 Edition, with Appendices BA, BB, BF, BI, BJ, BK, BL, BM, and BO and local amendments (City Code § 25-12-243)10 | 202412 | 10 | Austin City Council, Ordinance No. 20250410-04010 |
| International Building Code (IBC) | International Building Code, 2024 Edition, with local amendments10 | 202412 | 10 | Austin City Council, Ordinance No. 20250410-04510 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | International Existing Building Code (IEBC)202412 | 202412 | 10 | Austin City Council, Ordinance No. 20250410-04510 |
| Energy code, residential | International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)202412 | 202412 | 12 | Austin City Council, Ordinance No. 20250410-03810 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | International Fire Code (IFC) 202412 | 202412 | 12 | – |
| Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) | International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) 202412 | 202412 | 12 | Austin City Council, Ordinance No. 20250410-03710 |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) | International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2024 Edition, with local amendments (City Code § 25-12-303)10 | 202412 | 10 | Austin City Council, Ordinance No. 20250410-04310 |
| Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) | International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC)202412 | 202412 | 12 | Austin City Council, Ordinance No. 20250410-04110 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | – | 202612 | 12 | – |
| Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) | Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC)202412 | 202412 | 12 | Austin City Council, Ordinance No. 20250410-04410 |
| Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | Uniform Plumbing Code, 2024 Edition (IAPMO), with Appendices A, B, C, D, E, G, I, J, K, M, and N and local amendments (City Code § 25-12-153)10 | 202412 | 10 | Austin City Council, Ordinance No. 20250410-04210 |
Austin building permit fees
Fees come from the City of Austin Fee Schedule | Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit Fees (FY 2026-27)13, effective 14.
Each line is worded as in Austin’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Plan review | $112.7613 |
| Small Projects Plan Review (Garage Conversions and Carport/Porch enclosures, Amnesty CO, Fences, Pools) | Plan review | $146.1513 |
| Additional Small Project | Plan review | $146.1513 |
| Express Residential Plan Review | Plan review | $112.7613 |
| Residential Express Permits/Kitchen Remodels - Inspection | Per inspection | $72.9613 |
| Addition/Initial Remodel S - Base Fee | Plan review | $197.2313 |
| Building Base Fee (Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse, and Other Residential Structure Fees) | Flat fee | $318.4813 |
| Demolition Permit (each) | Flat fee | $81.0713 |
| Residential Change - Out Program Permits - HVAC (first system) | Flat fee | $74.0513 |
| Residential Change - Out Program Permits - HVAC - Each additional system | Flat fee | $20.6913 |
| Inspections for Standalone Projects | Per inspection | $73.8113 |
| Reinspection Fee | Re-inspection | $83.85 per inspection13 |
| After Hours Inspection Fee | After-hours inspection | $166.57/hour, 1 hour minimum13 |
| General Contractor Registration New | Flat fee | $82.5613 |
| Residential Roof Replacement Inspection (Austin Fire fee) | Per inspection | $370.0013 |
| Residential WUI Non-Combustible Accessory Structure Review (Austin Fire fee) | Plan review | $63.0013 |
| Service Fee for Credit Card Payments (AB+C Portal) | Technology surcharge | 2.35% ($2.00 minimum)14 |
How to get a building permit in Austin
- Prepare15
- Check for expired permits15
- Apply with the appropriate Residential Building Permit Web Form15
- Plan Review15
- Permit Issuance15
- Inspections15
- Apply online
- Yes2
- Over-the-counter permits
- Residential Express Permits (minor repairs) same day at PDC walk-in4
- Posting the permit
- Permit displayed on entrance side, visible from the street7
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- 180 days16
- Extensions
- Passing inspection extends expiration 180 days; holder may extend/reactivate via AB+C Portal or Modify a Permit16
Inspections in Austin
The inspection Austin’s published material names. Do not cover work until it has passed (how inspections work).
- Inspections scheduled by permit holder/contractor; usually performed 24 hours after scheduling6
- How to schedule
- Contractor schedules; online or by phone6
- Re-inspection fee
- $83.85 per inspection13
- After the final inspection
- Certificate of Occupancy upon successful final inspection (new construction or significant renovations)17
Building without a permit in Austin
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal penalty Austin City Code § 25-1-462 | Violation of the Plumbing Code (each day a separate offense)10 | – | Third-party verification letter from a registered design professional for existing improvements (expired permits / code violations)18 |
| Daily fine Austin City Code § 25-12-153 (UPC 104.6) | Each day a Plumbing Code violation continues10 | – | – |
| Stop-work order Austin LDC § 25-8-181 | Failure to provide erosion and sedimentation controls (LDC 25-8-181)18 | Stop Work Order and/or legal action including criminal charges and fines of up to $2,000.00 per day18 | – |
| Civil penalty | Construction without a permit9 | Enforcement action (amount not stated)9 | – |
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
- Yes16
- Homeowner electrical work
- Only under a Homestead Permit (excludes main electric service)16
- Homeowner plumbing work
- Only under a Homestead Permit16
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Homestead exemption on file; work in the person's homestead and principal residence16
Texas's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Texas permit guide.
Texas rules that also apply in Austin
- 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
- Contact Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Express Permits | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Homeowner Permitting Resources | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Visit The PDC | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Schedule a Building Inspection | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Building Inspections | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Activating a Permit | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Fencing Regulations | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Common Austin Code Violations | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Ordinance No. 20250410-040 (2024 International Residential Code and local amendments, City Code Ch. 25-12 Art. 11)City of Austin, City CouncilEffective July 10, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Work Exempt From Building Permits | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Building Technical Codes | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 6, 2026
- City of Austin Fee Schedule | Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit FeesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Fees | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Plan Review | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Homeowner's Permit | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Certificate of Occupancy | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Residential Pool and/or Uncovered Deck Permit ApplicationCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesRevised April 5, 2023Checked November 7, 2026