Building permits in Arlington — the 7th largest city in Texas, located at the center of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex — are issued by Planning & Development Services, Building Inspections Division. Arlington enforces the 2021 International Building Code and International Residential Code with local amendments.
This guide covers what requires a permit, the Arlington Permits portal, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Arlington project stays on track.
Home of AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field. Arlington is in Tarrant County and handles all its own permitting. All general and construction contractors must be registered with the City of Arlington. State trade licenses (TDLR for electrical/HVAC, TSBPE for plumbing) are required for trade permits.
What requires a building permit in Arlington?
Under the 2021 IBC/IRC as adopted by Arlington, a permit is required for most construction activities:
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, siding, and exterior changes
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Decks, pools, fences, patio covers, carports
- Change of occupancy or use
Typically exempt
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet installation
- Countertop replacement and similar finish work
- Retaining walls ≤ 4 ft (not supporting surcharge)
- Replacement of existing same-type fixtures
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Note that exemption from a building permit does not exempt a project from zoning requirements — confirm edge cases with the building department.
Who handles permitting in Arlington?
The Building Inspections Division within Planning & Development Services handles plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. All permits are managed through the Arlington Permits portal (Accela-based) at ArlingtonPermits.com.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Planning & Development Services — 101 W Abram St, Arlington, TX 76010 |
| Phone | (817) 459-6502 / (817) 459-6504 |
| Online portal | ArlingtonPermits.com (Accela) |
| Code cycle | 2021 IBC/IRC with Arlington amendments |
| Review timeline | 5 business days initial; 3 days for corrections |
| Registration | Contractors must register with the City of Arlington |
Apply at ArlingtonPermits.com. Register a user account on the Arlington Permits portal (Accela). Start a new application, upload required documents (site plan, construction drawings, energy code compliance, TAS documentation), and pay the non-refundable plan review fee (35% of building permit fee) at submittal. Print and post the permit card on-site before work begins.
Arlington building permit cost
Arlington residential permit fees use a valuation formula: gross square footage × $75.00/sq ft, then a tiered formula is applied. Commercial fees also use tiered valuation. Plan review fee is 35% of the building permit fee (non-refundable, due at submittal). Phase II fee adjustments effective October 1, 2025.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | $75/sq ft valuation × tiered formula |
| Commercial building permit | Tiered valuation-based formula |
| Plan review fee | 35% of building permit fee (non-refundable) |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fees per trade |
| Technology fee | Added to permit total |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific Arlington project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Arlington trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work needs its own permit and a state-licensed contractor registered with the City of Arlington.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, EV chargers, and most wiring alterations — performed by a TDLR-licensed electrician registered with the city.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, backflow, and sewer connections — performed by a TSBPE-licensed plumber.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, ductwork changes, and venting modifications — performed by a TDLR-licensed mechanical contractor.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Fencing, pools, decks, sheds, and patio covers may require special permits depending on size and utility hookups. Demolition, sign, and right-of-way permits follow separate tracks.
Verify your contractor's license. Texas licenses electricians (TDLR), plumbers (TSBPE), and HVAC/mechanical contractors (TDLR) at the state level — contractors must register with the local municipality before pulling permits. Texas does not issue a statewide general-contractor license. Projects over $50,000 require a TDLR project number and accessibility review. The property owner is responsible for ensuring a permit is obtained. Verify trade licensure at tdlr.texas.gov and tsbpe.texas.gov.
How to get a building permit in Arlington
Confirm permit requirement & zoning
Use the DIY guide or contact Planning & Development Services at (817) 459-6502. Confirm zoning compliance.
Register on Arlington Permits & apply
Create an account at ArlingtonPermits.com. Start a new application and answer screening questions for the correct permit type.
Upload documents & pay plan review fee
Upload site plan, construction drawings, energy compliance forms, contractor license, and proof of insurance. Pay 35% non-refundable plan review fee.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against 2021 IBC/IRC with Arlington amendments. Initial review ~5 business days; corrections ~3 days. Resubmit revised plans if needed.
Pay remaining fees & receive permit
Pay the remaining permit fee upon approval. Print permit and post on-site before construction begins.
Schedule inspections through CO
Schedule inspections via ArlingtonPermits.com. Typical checkpoints: foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, final. Certificate of Occupancy required before occupancy.
Inspections in Arlington
Schedule inspections through the Arlington Permits portal. Standard checkpoints include foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Post the permit card on-site and maintain approved plans. A final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Arlington permitting resources
- 🏛️ City of Arlington — Permits
- 💻 Arlington Permits portal (Accela)
- 🪪 TX TDLR — licensing & regulation
- 🪪 TX TSBPE — plumbing board
- 📋 Arlington issued permits data
Simplify Arlington permitting with Alliance Permitting
Arlington's Accela portal, tiered valuation fees, contractor registration requirements, and DFW metroplex development pace reward applicants who prepare complete packages from the start. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Arlington — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Planning & Development Services process, so your Arlington submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Arlington because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Arlington Planning & Development Services, the ArlingtonPermits.com portal, and the 2021 IBC/IRC with Arlington amendments.
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Need an Arlington building permit?
Get your Arlington project permitted right. Alliance Permitting handles your applications through ArlingtonPermits.com — so you build, not wait.
More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Arlington Planning & Development Services before filing. This is not legal advice.