Building Permit

• Residential Permit Application
• Residential Review Checklist (New)
• Residential Design and Compatibility Commission Checklist (New)
• Alcohol Beverages Permit Process
• Board of Adjustment
  • Board of Adjustment and Sign Review Board Process
  • Board of Adjustment Rules and Regulations
  • Board of Adjustment Application
• Sound Permit Process
• Sign Permit Process
• Residential Construction Plan Review Process
• Requirements for Residential Building Permits
• Process for Residential Application Approval
• Residential Demolition Application
• Relocation Application
• Electric Service Plan Application (ESPA)
  
• Large Load Electric Service Plan Application (ESPA)
  Fill out your Residential Permit Application, and your ESPA form. Take the ESPA form and your plot plan to the 1st floor, OTC for Austin Energy review in the Development Assistance Center (DAC) before taking it to Zoning Review on the 2nd floor, OTC.
• Residential Final Electrical Checklist
• Request for Modification or Alternate Method of Compliance

Residential and Commercial

• Floodplain Development Information Request Form
• Floodplain Development Information Request Instruction
• Project Permit Form
• Permit Fax Request
• 3rd Party Testing Contractor

Commercial - (Got a Commercial Building question?)?

• Conventional Energy-Code Compliance Checklist
• Sign Variance Application
• Commercial Building Application
• Commercial Building Coversheet
• Mandatory Compliance with Federal & State Disability Laws
• Commercial Plan Review (flow chart)
• Quick Turn Around Permit Process
• Commercial Application Checklist
• Third Party Medical Gas Verification
• Medical Gas & Vacuum System Verifier List
• Medical Gas & Vacuum System Definitions
• Commercial Remodel/Tenant Finish-Out Submittal Requirements
• New Construction and Addition Building Plan Submittal Requirements
• Commercial Building Plan Review Information 2007
• Prerequisite Reviews for Commercial Building Permits
• Commercial Demolition Permit Application
• Commercial Relocation Permit Application
• Sign Application
• Building Design Calculation Worksheet
• Commercial Swimming Pool/SPA Submittal Requirements
• Commercial Portable/Prefab Buildings Submittal Requirements
• Submittal Requirements for Revisions to Approved Plans with Permits
• Request for Concurrent Review Form
• Preliminary Plan Review Meeting

Austin Water Utility

• Water Protection Program
• Pretreatment Program
• Tap Application Form

Ordinances

• Recently Approved Technical Ordinance Effective June 24, 2010.
• Non-Complying Structures Remodel Ordinance

• Recently Approved Technical Ordinances Effective October 1, 2010.
• 2009 IBC International Building Code includes the 2009 International Existing Building Code
• 2009 IECC International Energy Conservation Code
• 2009 IFC International Fire Code
• 2009 UPC Uniform Plumbing Code
• 2009 UMC Uniform Mechanical Code
• 2006 IRC Amended International Residential Code
• 2008 NEC Amended National Electric Code

• Recently Approved Technical Ordinance Effective January 1, 2011
• 2009 IPMC International Property Maintenance Code

• Technical Code Interpretations
• Identification of Outlets (CI2010-0001)
• Emergency Shut-off Switch (CI2010-0002)
• Wall Board Inspection (CI2010-0003)

• Outdoor Music Venue Ordinance
• Asbestos
• Mechanical Ordinance (2003 Uniform Mechanical Code)
• Plumbing Ordinance (2003 Uniform Plumbing Code)
• Plumbing Ordinance (2003 Amended Uniform Plumbing Code)
• Energy Code (2006)
• National Electrical Code Ordinance (2008)
• Amended National Electrical Code Ordinance (2005)
• Fire Code Local Amendments
• International Code Council
• International Building Code (2003 International Building Code)
• 2006 International Residential Code
• Amendment to 2006 IRC
• Solar Energy Code (2006 Uniform Solar Energy Code)
• Visitability (Accessibility) Ordinance
• Electric Design Standard

What is a building permit?

The building permit application and review process ensures that the plans for construction comply with Austin's land use and construction standards. Specific code issues and include appropriate zoning, structural integrity, proper exiting, fire resistance, sanitation and other health concerns, tapping into water and sewer lines, the extension of electrical service, industrial waste review for commercial buildings etc. Specific aspects of building plan review are building, plumbing, electrical, fire, health, mechanical, energy code and zoning reviews.

In addition, signs, barricades and underground tanks are reviewed at the building permit stage, if these improvements are proposed.

Permitting Requirements and City of Austin Jurisdiction

Inside the City Limits (full purpose annexation)

Site plan or site plan exemption, building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and concrete permits (for sidewalks and driveways in the public right-of-way) are required.

If your property is within the City of Austin jurisdiction and you are erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, improving, removing, converting, moving, demolishing any building or structure or a portion or tenant space within the structure, you are required to obtain City of Austin Permits and a site plan approval or site plan exemption. Depending on the extent of your work, you may be required to obtain one or more of the following permits:

• building
• electrical
• mechanical (heating/air conditioning)
• plumbing
• concrete(sidewalks and driveways in the public right-of-way)
• development(site plan or site plan exemption)

Inside the City Limits (limited purpose annexation)

The same rules above apply to requirements for permits and site plan and/or development permit approvals and exemptions for the City. City of Austin plumbing, electrical, concrete and mechanical permits are required. In addition to the City permits, Travis County requires development permits, building permits and driveway permits.

Extra-territorial Jurisdiction (not limited purpose annexation)

The extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is that area extending five miles outside the City of Austin corporate limits. All multi-family and commercial development in the ETJ is required to obtain site plan (development permit) approvals or site plan exemptions from the City. In addition, plumbing and/or electrical service permits may be required if the project is served by City utilities (ETJ fees will be assessed in addition to the permit fees). Development and driveway permits are required by Travis County and Hays County. Some Municipal Utility Districts located in the ETJ may require full City permitting by the terms of their consent agreement.

All areas inside the city limits and /or ETJ have other commonly required approvals

• Water and Wastewater Utility, Utility Services Division permits, if the project needs a septic system. LCRA has jurisdiction for permits for septic tanks adjacent to Lake Travis.
• US Fish and Wildlife Service permits for endangered species habitats
• Texas Water Commission permit for projects over the Edwards Aquifer
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Corps of Engineers approval for drainage modifications

Projects involving single family boat docks, earthwork, site clearing, utilities, and street and drainage improvements require a site plan (development permit) or site plan exemption. Boat docks also require building and electrical (if lighted) permits along Lake Austin.

Water and Sewer Services

To ensure your project is in the water utility service area contact the Austin Water Utility at 972-0000 or at one of our TAPS permitting offices, located at Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th street, Suite # 200, or the One Stop Shop, Permit center,505 Barton Springs Road.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a quick-turn around permit?
The process is limited to tenant finish outs and interior remodel projects of 5,000 square feet or less for Office and Retail Sales occupancies where hazardous materials are not dispensed, or
Exterior remodels that do not increase the square footage of the building or increase the height by more than six feet.

Other projects specifically authorized by the Building Official may also be eligible for Quick Turnaround. The following projects, however, are ineligible. new construction applications and remodels that include additions to a building. businesses which store or sell hazardous materials. restaurants. food service establishments. pubs. clubs. lounges. food storage. food warehousing. nursing homes. health care. child care. beauty salons. veterinary clinics. animal shelters. laundry or cleaning facilities. manufacturing or industrial facilities. if the project requires thermal calculations to demonstrate energy code compliance.

Who do you speak to for information on Commercial Kitchen Ventilation requirements? Watershed Protection and Development Review Department, Mechanical Plan Reviewers.

Who do I call about MEP (Mechanical, Plumbing & Electrical) state licenses? Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Hot Line 1-800-252-8026

What do I need to get MEP (Mechanical, Plumbing & Electrical) work within the City of Austin? You will be required to register with the City of Austin at the Permit Center and provide related fees and documentation requested, 974-2747.

Which building codes has the City of Austin adopted?

The City of Austin is currently under the following building codes:

2006 International Energy Conservation Code
2003 International Building Code - Commercial Construction
2006 International Residential Code - Residential Building and Mechanical Construction
2003 Uniform Plumbing Code - Residential and Commercial Construction
2003 Uniform Mechanical Code - Commercial
2005 National Electrical Code - All electrical installations

Ordinance 20071018-088 adopted the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. Additionally, the city has adopted the 1994 Uniform Code for Building Conservation, 1994 Uniform Housing Code, and the 1994 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.

Exemptions

• Site Plan Exemptions brochure
• Request for Site Plan Exemption form

General information

• Permit fees brochure
• Quick Turn Around Permits brochure
• Cancellation, Transfer and Refund of Permits brochure
• Automated Inspection Request brochure

Code related

• Mechanical Plan Submittal Information brochure
• Commercial Building Plan Requirements brochure
• Plumbing Plan Submittal Information brochure

Project related

• Requirements for Residential Permits brochure
• Permit Submittal Requirements for Restaurants and Bars
• Daycare Permit Submittal Requirements brochure

Notification

The building permit applicant is notified when plans are approved or rejected.

Approval Process

The Watershed Protection and Development Review Department coordinates the approval of building plans.

Appeal

Appeals of code interpretations may be heard before the Building and Fire Code Board; the Electrical Board; the Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Board; and the Building Standards Commission. Zoning variances and interpretations may be appealed to the board of adjustments, and Sign variances.

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