Bonham, Texas Building Permit Guide

Bonham’s Planning & Development Department issues building permits inside the city and, under an interlocal agreement with Fannin County, for new homes and new commercial buildings in the City’s ETJ. Apply through the City’s online permit center. A new house costs $600 plus $0.80 per square foot, plus a $100 plan review fee, and inspections called in before 9 a.m. are done the same day.

What requires a permit in Bonham?

The City publishes a separate application or packet for each of these:

A new-construction permit does not cover irrigation, an accessory building or a fence; each needs its own permit and plans. Every lot must be platted before a building permit is issued.

Who handles permitting in Bonham?

Planning & Development permits and inspects construction inside Bonham. Ross Altobelli is Director of Community Development and Jonathan Loiselle is Chief Building Official. In the ETJ, the City’s permits cover new residential and new commercial buildings under its interlocal agreement with Fannin County.

Bonham permit fees

The Building Department fee sheet was last revised on August 28, 2025. Plan review fees are non-refundable and due when you submit.

For example, a 2,000 sq ft house is $2,200 for the permit plus the $100 plan review. Commercial permits use a construction value chart: a $100 minimum up to $1,000 of value, rising in steps to 1.6% of value from $10,001 to $25,000, 1.0% from $100,001 to $500,000 and 0.6% above $1,000,000, plus plan review at 20% of the permit fee. A commercial certificate of occupancy is $100, and work started without a permit is charged twice the fee.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire permits

Trade contractors working under a general contractor no longer get their own permits. Each one instead files a Subcontractor Validation Form against the building permit, signed by the licensed contractor or an authorized agent named on its City registration. Only registered and licensed contractors can receive plumbing, mechanical or electrical permits or validations.

Where a separate mechanical, electrical or plumbing permit is issued, the fee is $100 plus $0.05 per square foot. Fire alarm and sprinkler systems need a Fire Marshal permit at $50 plus $0.03 per square foot, and a commercial vent hood is $100.

Every contractor working in Bonham must register first, attaching a Texas driver’s licence and, for licensed trades, the state licence, and listing the people allowed to pull permits.

What to submit

How to apply: 6 steps in Bonham

Inspections and closeout

Request inspections by phone (903-583-7555 ext. 113) or email to permits@cityofbonham.org. Requests in before 9 a.m. are inspected the same day; later ones go on the next business day’s schedule. Only book when the work is ready, and call the same number to cancel.

The residential packet lists this sequence:

• Erosion control (silt fence) and temporary pole
• Form board survey before the plumbing rough-in or pier inspection, then piers
• Plumbing rough-in, then foundation (conduit, Ufer ground, drain and water tests)
• Electrical and HVAC rough-in, plumbing top-out and framing, requested together
• Ceiling inspection where applicable, and a third-party energy insulation inspection
• Utility meter releases, then all building and trade finals together

A $100 re-inspection fee, paid before any further inspection, can be charged when the work is not ready, the site is locked, the same item is red-tagged twice or a red tag is removed. The curb and gutter tie-in fee is set before finals and must be paid first. A permit lapses if work does not start within 180 days; ask in writing for an extension before it expires.

Local Bonham details

Sidewalks: City Ordinance 1297 requires sidewalks with all new development and redevelopment; a waiver application is available.

Dumpsters: every project needing trash disposal must use a Sanitation Solutions container (903-784-0124) under the City’s franchise.

Alley garages: garages and carports entered from an alley sit at least 20 feet from the alley lot line.

Lake Bonham: no house, boathouse, dock, pier, fence, pool or other structure goes on a Lake Bonham lot without a written City permit. Each lot may have one residence, one boathouse and two accessory buildings besides a detached garage, and accessory buildings and privacy fences over 3 feet may not sit between the house and the road.

Texas building code

Texas has no single statewide building code: state law makes the International Residential Code the base code for homes in cities and the International Building Code the base for commercial buildings, with each city choosing the edition and its own amendments, while the National Electrical Code and the energy code apply statewide. Outside city limits most counties issue no building permits for homes. Texas building code rules

Bonham permit search and official resources

Bonham forms and packets:

• Bonham — Planning Applications & Checklists
• Bonham — Planning & Development
• Bonham — Building Permits & Applications
• Online Permit Application Center
• Building Department fee schedule (rev. 8/28/2025)
• Residential Construction Packet
• Commercial Construction Packet
• Contractor Registration
• Subcontractor Validation Form
• ETJ Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Fannin County
• Lake Bonham rules and building restrictions

Bonham permit FAQs

How much is a building permit for a new house in Bonham?

$600 plus $0.80 per square foot, plus a $100 plan review fee: $2,300 in total for a 2,000 sq ft house.

Do I need a Bonham permit if I build in the ETJ?

Yes for new homes and new commercial buildings. Under the City’s interlocal agreement with Fannin County, they need a City building permit and inspections.

Do my electrician and plumber need separate permits?

Not when they work under a general contractor. Each files a Subcontractor Validation Form for the building permit instead.

What is the inspection cut-off time?

9 a.m. Requests made before then are inspected the same day; later requests go to the next business day.

Do I need a permit for a fence or a roof?

Yes. A fence permit is $50 and a roofing permit $100.

What codes does Bonham use?

The 2024 International codes, the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2026 National Electrical Code.

Simplify Bonham permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Texas. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Bonham permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.