Dallas building permits
Building permits in Dallas are issued by the City of Dallas Planning & Development Department (Permitting & Inspections)1. You can apply and request inspections online through aca-prod.accela.com2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Do you need a permit in Dallas? Common projects
- Building codes in force in Dallas
- Dallas building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Dallas
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Dallas
- Building without a permit in Dallas
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Texas rules that also apply in Dallas
- Sources
Building department contacts
City of Dallas Planning & Development Department (Permitting & Inspections)1
Building permits
- Website
- dallascityhall.com3
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com2
- Phone
- (214) 948-44804
- Address
- Oak Cliff Municipal Center, 320 E. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, Texas 752034
- Hours
- Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm4
- Inspections
- Online via DallasNow, or IVR phone 214.670.53135
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: aca-prod.accela.com7.
Do you need a permit in Dallas? Common projects
Each project below has its own page with Dallas'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: 6 feet8 |
| Deck | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet8 |
| Shed | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 200 square feet8 |
| Roof | Depends on size or scope | Roof area that can be replaced without a permit: 2 roofing squares8 |
| Pool | Yes | Pools exempt below this depth: 24 inches8 |
| Water heater | Yes | Like-for-like replacement exempt? No8 |
Building codes in force in Dallas
These are the model codes Dallas 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) | CHAPTER 57: 2021 International Residential Code with Dallas Amendments9 | 20219 | 9 | Dallas City Council ordinance amending Chapter 57 (2021 IRC)10 |
| International Building Code (IBC) | CHAPTER 53: 2021 International Building Code with Dallas Amendments9 | 20219 | 9 | – |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | CHAPTER 54: 2021 International Plumbing Code with Dallas Amendments9 | 20219 | 9 | – |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | CHAPTER 55: 2021 International Mechanical Code with Dallas Amendments9 | 20219 | 9 | – |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | CHAPTER 58: 2021 International Existing Building Code with Dallas Amendments (effective June 13, 2022)9 | 20219 | 9 | – |
| Energy code, residential | CHAPTER 59: 2021 International Energy Conservation Code with Dallas Amendments9 | 20219 | 9 | – |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | CHAPTER 60: 2021 International Fuel & Gas Code with Dallas Amendments9 | 20219 | 9 | – |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) | CHAPTER 62: 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with Dallas Amendments (effective June 13, 2022)9 | 20219 | 9 | – |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | CHAPTER 16: 2021 International Fire Code, with Dallas amendments (effective February 10, 2023)9 | 20219 | 9 | – |
Dallas building permit fees
Fees come from the Planning and Development Permit Fee Schedule (Fee Guide), effective July 1, 202511.
How valuation is set. Single-family/duplex: square footage of work area (Tables A-I and B-II); other structures: total valuation8.
Each line is worded as in Dallas’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Alterations or Repairs of Single-Family and Duplex Structures (Table B-II) | Flat fee | $181 per dwelling unit + $100 for additional trades12 |
| New Single-Family and Duplex Construction Permit Fee (Table A-I), 0-700 sq ft | Per square foot | 0-700 sq ft X 1.07 = Permit Fee12 |
| New Single-Family and Duplex Construction Permit Fee (Table A-I), 701-2,350 sq ft | Per square foot | 701 – 2,350 sq ft X 0.34569 + 30012 |
| New Single-Family and Duplex Construction Permit Fee (Table A-I), 2,351-10,500 sq ft | Per square foot | 2,351 – 10,500 sq ft X 0.077 + $80012 |
| New Single-Family and Duplex Construction Permit Fee (Table A-I), 10,501+ sq ft | Per square foot | 10,501+ sq ft X 0.0272 +$100012 |
| Commercial Alterations or Repairs (includes standalone trade permits) - minimum | Minimum fee | Minimum permit fee is $17512 |
| Residential Plan Review Fee | Plan review | Residential Plan Review Fee $0.046 per sq.ft. or $577(whichever is greater)12 |
| Document Handling Fee - Residential One-and-Two Family Dwellings | Flat fee | Document Handling Fee - Residential One-and-Two Family Dwellings $2512 |
| Technology Permit Fee | Technology surcharge | Technology Permit Fee $15 per document submitted12 |
| Reinspection Fee | Re-inspection | Reinspection Fee $7512 |
| Additional Inspection Service Fee | Per inspection | Additional Inspection Service Fee $125 per trade inspection12 |
| After Hours Inspection Fee | After-hours inspection | After Hours Inspection Fee $125/hour with a $300 minimum12 |
| Same Day Inspection Fee | Expedited review | Same Day Inspection Fee for requests made between 7am - 2pm the day inspection is needed $250 (due before inspection is performed)12 |
| Permit Extension Fee | Flat fee | Permit Extension Fee $200 per permit12 |
| Demolition Fee | Per square foot | Demolition Fee $205 + $0.21 for each square foot of floor area12 |
| Work Without a Permit Investigation Fee | Work started without a permit | Work Without a Permit Investigation Fee $100 per hour/per trade12 |
| Unauthorized Concealment Fee | Work started without a permit | Unauthorized Concealment Fee $200 per trade12 |
| Certificate of Occupancy - General Permit Fee | Flat fee | Certificate of Occupancy - General Permit Fee $37512 |
How to get a building permit in Dallas
- Apply for the permit through DallasNow4
- Pay applicable fees upon application8
- Post the permit on the front of the premises before starting work8
- Request each inspection at least one working day ahead8
- Pass the final inspection8
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- Void if no progress toward completion before the second anniversary of issuance8
- Extensions
- 120 days8
Inspections in Dallas
Dallas’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Footing and foundation8
- Rough frame8
- Finish frame8
- Final (building)8
- Electrical rough8
- Plumbing rough8
- Plumbing and mechanical rough and final inspections must be requested together for the same day (effective June 1, 2026)5
Building without a permit in Dallas
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal penalty Dallas City Code § 52-210.3 | Any person who violates Chapter 52 or the construction codes8 | Fine not to exceed $2,000 per offense; each day a separate offense8 | – |
| Civil penalty Dallas City Code § 52-210.4 | Person violating Chapter 52 or the codes (civil action under Tex. Loc. Gov't Code ch. 54)8 | Civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 per day8 | – |
| Investigation fee Dallas City Code § 52-303.7 | Work commenced without a required permit8 | Investigation fee equal to the permit fee plus $100 per hour per trade review (1-hour minimum)8 | Special investigation, then permit may be issued; investigation fee charged whether or not a permit is issued8 |
| Stop-work order Dallas City Code § 52-303.7.3 | Work done contrary to the codes8 | Written stop work order8 | – |
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, on an existing structure the owner resides in as homestead, with a homeowner registration, not assisted by anyone for pay8
- Homeowner electrical work
- Electrical repairs only, after passing a City of Dallas oral or written exam13
- Homeowner plumbing work
- Yes, on premises owned and occupied solely as homestead (exempt from plumbing contractor registration)8
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Homeowner must reside in the property as homestead13
- Affidavit or declaration
- Yes13
Texas's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Texas permit guide.
Texas rules that also apply in Dallas
- 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
- Planning & Development - Permits and InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- DallasNowCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Permitting & InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions - Permitting & InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- InspectionsCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- ElectricalCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- DallasNow Citizen Portal (Accela)City of Dallas (DallasNow portal)Checked November 7, 2026
- Chapter 52: Administrative Procedures for the Construction Codes (City of Dallas booklet, current through April 23,…City of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentLast updated April 23, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Construction Codes (City Codes & Ordinances)City of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Ordinance amending Chapter 57, Dallas One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code (2021 IRC)City of Dallas, City Council (ordinance as posted by Planning & Development)Published March 28, 2023Checked November 6, 2026
- Fees - Planning and DevelopmentCity of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Permit Fee Schedule, Effective July 1, 2025City of Dallas, Planning & Development DepartmentEffective July 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Homeowner's Exemption from Registration as a ContractorCity of Dallas, Building Inspection Division (now Planning & Development)Revised January 1, 2018Checked November 7, 2026