Fort Worth building permits
Building permits in Fort Worth are issued by the Development Services Department1. You can apply and request inspections online through aca-prod.accela.com2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Do you need a permit in Fort Worth? Common projects
- Building codes in force in Fort Worth
- Fort Worth building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Fort Worth
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Fort Worth
- Building without a permit in Fort Worth
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Texas rules that also apply in Fort Worth
- Sources
Building department contacts
Development Services Department1
Building permits
- Website
- fortworthtexas.gov1
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com2
- Phone
- (817) 392-22223
- Address
- New City Hall, 100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth 761023
- Inspections
- Online (Accela) or IVR 817-392-63704
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: data.fortworthtexas.gov7.
Do you need a permit in Fort Worth? Common projects
Each project below has its own page with Fort Worth'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 feet8 |
| Deck | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this height above grade: 6 inches8 |
| Shed | Yes | – |
| Roof | Depends on size or scope | Like-for-like replacement exempt? Yes9 |
| Pool | Yes | – |
| Water heater | Yes | Like-for-like replacement exempt? No8 |
Building codes in force in Fort Worth
These are the model codes Fort Worth 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) | Residential Code of the City of Fort Worth (2021 IRC with local amendments)10 | 202110 | 3 | Ordinance No. 25383-03-202210 |
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2021 International Building Code with Local Amendments2 | 20212 | 3 | Ordinance No. 25382-03-2022 (per PDF file name on city site)2 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | 2021 International Mechanical Code with Local Amendment2 | 20212 | 3 | Ordinance No. 25384-03-2022 (per PDF file name)2 |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2021 International Plumbing Code and 2021 International Fuel Gas Code Adoption and Amendments2 | 20212 | 3 | Ordinance No. 25385-03-2022 (per PDF file name)2 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (with IPC adoption ordinance)2 | 20212 | 3 | Ordinance No. 25385-03-2022 (per PDF file name)2 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2021 International Existing Building Code with Local Amendments2 | 20212 | 3 | Ordinance No. 25386-03-2022 (per PDF file name)2 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | 2021 International Fire Code with Local Amendments2 | 20212 | 3 | Ordinance No. 25388-03-2022 (per PDF file name)2 |
| Energy code, residential | 2015 International Energy Code with Local Amendments2 | 20153 | – | City of Fort Worth (retained 2015 IECC)2 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2026 National Electrical Code2 | 20262 | 2 | – |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) | 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code2 | 20182 | 3 | – |
Fort Worth building permit fees
Fees come from Ordinance No. 26-28781 (Development Fees)11, effective 11.
How valuation is set. New construction/additions by square footage; residential remodel by number of trades8.
Each line is worded as in Fort Worth’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Permit Application Fee, Applicable to All Permit Types, Excluding Signs | Flat fee | 1. Permit Application Fee, Applicable to All Permit Types, Excluding Signs: 33.0811 |
| 3. Technology Fee applicable to all applications/ permits | Technology surcharge | 3. Technology Fee applicable to all applications/ permits: 16.8711 |
| Table IA-1 Residential Remodel Fees (based upon the number of trades required for the project) | Minimum fee | Number of Trades Minimum Permit Feel 1 119.00 2 238.00 3 357.00 4 476.00 5 595.0011 |
| Table 1-C-4 U Use Group, 175 to 2500 sq ft | Per square foot | 175 to 2500 a)$ 102.00 a) for first 175 square feet b) $ 0.20 b) for each additional square foot, to and including 250011 |
| 2. Reinspection fee | Re-inspection | 2. Reinspection fee: 66.1511 |
| 1. Inspections outside of normal business hours per hour (minimum of 4 hours) | After-hours inspection | 1. Inspections outside of normal business hours per hour ( minimum of 4 hours): 140.0011 |
| 6. Same Day Inspection (in addition to all other applicable fees) | Expedited review | 6. Same Day Inspection ( in addition to all other 140.0011 |
| 7. Concealed work | Re-inspection | 7. Concealed work —applies when work that 400.0011 |
| Table 1-I Schedule of Plumbing Fees: First Fixture or Appliance | Per fixture or item | First Fixture or Appliance: 10.3411 |
| Electrical fee schedule, Miscellaneous: Swimming pools | Flat fee | Swimming pools: 56.4811 |
How to get a building permit in Fort Worth
- Scope the project with the Residential Permit Guide (Permit Assist)3
- Apply online in Accela Citizen Access12
- Plan review (residential target 7 business days for first comments)14
- Pay fees; permit valid only after payment8
- Schedule inspections online or by IVR4
- Final inspection15
- Apply online
- Yes12
- Over-the-counter permits
- Walk-In Permit Team: small building projects, occupancy and residential permits13
- Posting the permit
- Approved documents and permit kept on site8
Permit expiration and extensions
Inspections in Fort Worth
Fort Worth’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- How to schedule
- Same day as permit; before 6:30 a.m. for same-day4
- Re-inspection fee
- 2. Reinspection fee: 66. 1511
Building without a permit in Fort Worth
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation fee Fort Worth Admin. Building Code Sec. 109.4.2 | Work commenced without a required permit8 | Equal to the permit fee8 | Investigation, then permit8 |
| Criminal penalty Ord. No. 25387-03-2022, Section 4 | Any violation of the ordinance8 | Up to $2,000 (fire safety, public health and sanitation); up to $500 (all other)8 | – |
| Daily fine Fort Worth Admin. Building Code Sec. 114.4 | Each day a violation continues8 | Each day a separate offense8 | – |
| Stop-work order Fort Worth Admin. Building Code Sec. 115 | Work contrary to code or unsafe8 | Work must cease immediately8 | – |
| Permit revoked Fort Worth Admin. Building Code Sec. 105.6 | Permit issued in error or in violation8 | Suspension or revocation8 | – |
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
- Yes8
- Homeowner electrical work
- Yes, only on the part of the system after the first main breaker8
- Homeowner plumbing work
- Yes8
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Owner-occupied primary residence (homestead exemption or proof of ownership + ID)8
Texas's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Texas permit guide.
Texas rules that also apply in Fort Worth
- 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
- Development ServicesCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Building & Energy CodesCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- PermitsCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- InspectionsCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Nuts & Bolts of Residential Building PermitsCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Development Services Contact InformationCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Issued Building Permits and Certificates of OccupancyCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Fort Worth Administrative Building Code, Ordinance No. 25387-03-2022City of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentAdopted March 8, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- Roofing FAQ'sCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- 2021 International Residential Code with Local Amendments, Ordinance No. 25383-03-2022City of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentAdopted March 2022Checked November 6, 2026
- Ordinance No. 26-28781City of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential PermittingCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Walk-In Permit Assistance TeamCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Review TimeframesCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- What Inspections Do I Need?City of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026