Building permits in the City of Austin are issued by the Development Services Department (DSD), with applications running through Austin Build + Connect (AB+C). Two Austin-specific layers shape many projects: the city's strict tree-protection ordinance and Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) requirements.
This Austin building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how fees work, the AB+C submission process, the tree and green-building rules, trade permits, and inspections — so your Austin project starts clean.
This guide covers the City of Austin. DSD permits only work within city limits and the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction where applicable; unincorporated Travis County and neighboring cities run their own processes. Austin is zoned under the Land Development Code, and many lots carry tree, watershed, or heritage overlays — confirm yours before designing.
What requires a building permit in Austin?
Under the City of Austin's adopted construction codes (the International Codes with Austin amendments), a permit is required before most construction, demolition, or change of use. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and tenant finish-outs
- Structural / load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Reroofing, window and door replacement, and exterior work
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Tree removal or work near protected trees
- Swimming pools, signs, and solar PV
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering structure or systems
- Certain low non-structural fences (confirm limits)
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
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 — or removing a protected tree without approval — exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Apply through AB+C first.
Who handles permitting in Austin?
Permitting is administered by the Development Services Department (which absorbed Austin Code in 2023). Commercial projects typically run multiple review-and-correction cycles, and tree and green-building reviews can run in parallel with building plan review.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Permitting and Development Center (PDC), 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, TX 78752 |
| Phone | DSD service line (512) 978-4000 / 311; PDC appointments (512) 978-4504 |
| Online portal | Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) — apply, upload, track, pay, schedule |
| Green building | Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) review where applicable |
| Trees | Tree-protection ordinance; tree-removal/review required |
| Enforced code | International Codes with City of Austin amendments |
Apply, upload plans, pay fees, and schedule inspections in Austin Build + Connect (AB+C). The portal is available 24/7 and includes a public search (no account required). Some specialized permits aren't yet submittable online — check the Types of Permits page.
Austin building permit cost
Austin building permit fees combine several categories: a building permit fee, a plan review fee (often the largest line, frequently $1,000+ on commercial work), an application/processing fee, trade fees, and revision fees if corrections are needed. Green-building and tree reviews can add their own steps.
Because Austin's fee schedule is detailed and adjusted periodically, confirm current amounts in AB+C before budgeting. Most commercial projects run two to three correction cycles, so build review time into your schedule.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building / construction fee | Based on the scope and valuation of work |
| Plan review fee | Often the largest line item, especially on commercial projects |
| Application / processing fee | A smaller intake fee per application |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade |
| Revision fees | Charged for minor or major revisions during review |
| Work-without-permit | Penalties and possible stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific Austin project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Austin trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work generally needs its own permit and a state-licensed contractor registered with the City of Austin, each filed in AB+C.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, 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, and gas piping, performed by a TSBPE-licensed plumber. Fees follow the city schedule with a per-permit minimum.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration, performed by a TDLR-licensed mechanical contractor. Specialized systems are permitted and inspected separately.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, pools, signs, and solar are permitted separately. Austin's tree-protection rules are strict — removing or building near a protected tree generally needs review — and Austin Energy Green Building requirements apply to many residential and commercial projects.
Verify your contractor's license. Texas licenses electricians (TDLR), plumbers (TSBPE), and HVAC/mechanical contractors (TDLR) at the state level, and they must register with the City of Austin before pulling permits; Texas does not issue a statewide general-contractor license. The property owner is responsible for ensuring a permit is obtained.
How to get a building permit in Austin
Confirm scope, zoning & trees
Verify the work needs a permit, confirm the parcel is inside Austin's jurisdiction, and check zoning, watershed, and tree-protection requirements before you design.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application, valuation, signed plans, energy-code/AEGB documentation, and a tree survey where protected trees are present.
Apply through AB+C
Create or log into your Austin Build + Connect account, submit the application, and upload plans and supporting documents.
Plan review & corrections
DSD routes building, tree, green-building, and other reviews; commercial projects typically run two to three correction cycles (~10 business days each). Resolve comments and resubmit.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay the calculated fees in AB+C and download the permit. Post it on site with approved documents available.
Schedule inspections through close-out
Request inspections in AB+C in the correct sequence. Clear all required inspections to obtain your Certificate of Occupancy or final approval.
Inspections in Austin
Schedule inspections through Austin Build + Connect using your permit number. The permit holder and owner/general contractor are responsible for sequencing inspections correctly; typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final.
A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections and must be cleared before a final inspection or Certificate of Occupancy can be requested.
Official Austin permitting resources
- 🏛️ Austin Development Services
- 💻 Austin Build + Connect (AB+C)
- 📋 Types of permits & how to apply
- 📘 Austin adopted construction codes
- 🪪 Texas Dept. of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR)
- 🌳 Austin Energy Green Building
Simplify Austin permitting with Alliance Permitting
Austin's correction-cycle-heavy review, tree-protection rules, and green-building requirements reward applicants who submit complete, well-documented packages. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Austin — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know Austin Build + Connect and the DSD review process, so your Austin submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Austin because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Austin DSD, AB+C, tree review, and AEGB requirements.
- 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.
Ready to break ground in Austin sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your City of Austin permits while you stay focused on building. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.
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 City of Austin Development Services Department before filing. This is not legal advice.