Brenham, Texas Building Permit Guide

Brenham’s Development Services Department, at City Hall on West Vulcan Street, issues building and trade permits inside city limits, and most applications now go through the City’s Accela online permit portal. Plan review takes 10 business days, and a new house costs $0.65 per square foot plus a $25 base fee.

What requires a permit in Brenham?

The City asks for an application and permit before any construction starts, and publishes this list:

Brenham building department: who handles permitting

Development Services handles building permits, inspections, planning and zoning, and environmental health inside Brenham city limits. Stephanie Doland is Development Services Director and Allen Jacobs is the Building Official. Land outside the city limits is in unincorporated Washington County; the City’s pages do not describe any permits beyond its limits.

Brenham online portal, forms and contractor rules

Building permits and most planning applications (plats, replats, variances, special exceptions, specific use permits, rezonings and planned unit developments) can be filed at any hour in the City’s Accela Citizen Access portal. A few permits still use fillable forms: floodplain permits, network node right-of-way permits and telecommunications right-of-way permits.

• Contractor registration: email the City’s Contractor Registration Form with the required documents to inspections@cityofbrenham.org and create a portal account; the City emails you when registration is complete.
• Insurance: general contractors and subcontractors, residential and commercial, carry general liability insurance with the City of Brenham named as certificate holder.
• State licences: state-licensed contractors give the City a copy of their current licence and driver’s licence. A master licence holder may sign a statement letting a journeyman work under the master’s licence.
• Mobile home parks: park owners need an annual permit at $5 per space, renewed every January 1 through the City Secretary (979-337-7375).

Brenham permit cost

Fees come from the Development Services fee schedule effective July 17, 2023. Every permit carries a $25 base fee.

For example, a new 2,000 sq ft house is $1,300 plus the $25 base fee, and each trade permit adds $100. Commercial building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire permits are priced on total valuation: $100 up to $2,000; $204 for the first $15,000 plus $7 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000; $749 for the first $100,000 plus $5 per $1,000 up to $500,000; and $4,749 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3 per $1,000 above that. Work started before a permit may be charged double. Utility tap fees are set by separate Public Utilities tariffs.

Brenham trade and fire permits

Residential electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas and irrigation permits are $100 each ($75 plus the base fee). Trade contractors need a City registration and, where the state licenses the trade, a copy of the licence on file.

These Fire Department fees are charged on top of the building permit fee and include the plan review.

Brenham permit application: how to apply step by step

Inspections in Brenham

Contractors schedule inspections at least one business day ahead, in the Accela portal, by email to inspections@cityofbrenham.org or by calling 979-337-7220. A failed inspection costs $100 to repeat. Building Inspections also staffs the City’s Building Standards Commission, and dangerous structures or code violations are reported to the Building Official.

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

Brenham permit search and official resources

Brenham’s permit pages and documents:

• Brenham Development Services
• Brenham Building Permits & Inspections
• Development Services fee schedule (July 17, 2023)
• Brenham online permit portal (Accela)

Brenham permit FAQs

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

$0.65 per square foot plus the $25 base fee: $1,325 for 2,000 sq ft. Each trade permit adds $100.

How long does plan review take in Brenham?

The City allows 10 business days, unless special circumstances or delays extend it.

Do I need a permit to replace windows or a water heater?

Yes. Window replacement is $10 per window, and water heater replacements are on the City’s list of work needing a permit.

How much is a remodel or addition permit?

A flat $500 plus the $25 base fee for residential work, with trade permits extra.

How far ahead must inspections be scheduled?

At least one business day, by the contractor, through the portal, email or 979-337-7220.

Do I need a permit to paint or put in new flooring?

No. Painting, wallpaper, carpet, flooring, cabinets and countertops need no permit.

Simplify Brenham 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 Brenham permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.