Kilgore, Texas Building Permit Guide

The City of Kilgore’s Building Services office permits construction everywhere inside the city limits, on both the Gregg County and Rusk County sides. Registered contractors apply through the City’s online Permit Portal or email a PDF application to permits@cityofkilgore.com. Under the FY2027 fee schedule a new house costs $420 for the first 1,000 sq ft plus $0.32 per extra sq ft, and the City asks for 10 days per building permit submittal.

What needs a permit in Kilgore?

Building Services reviews plans and issues permits for new construction, additions, remodeling, basement finishes and retaining walls, and the City publishes a separate application for each of these jobs:

The City’s February 2026 accessory building checklist exempts pre-built and site-built accessory buildings under 200 sq ft. An older Planning & Zoning FAQ on the City website still gives 120 sq ft (10 x 12 ft) as the threshold, so ask the permit office before building a shed between those sizes. An attached carport goes on a residential building permit and a free-standing one on an accessory building permit.

Who issues permits in Kilgore?

Building Services enforces the adopted codes and state licensing rules for contractors, engineers and architects, reviews plans, issues permits and inspects each phase of construction. Depending on the project, between 2 and 5 City departments review an application. The permit office is at City Hall, 815 N. Kilgore St., Kilgore, TX 75662: phone 903-988-4119, email permits@cityofkilgore.com. The City’s main number, used by the Water Department for tap and meter applications, is 903-984-5081.

Kilgore spreads across two counties: about 10,155 of its 13,531 residents live in Gregg County and 3,376 in Rusk County.

Portal, email and contractor registration

The Permit Portal is aimed at contractors who work in Kilgore often and at large projects; once registered, a contractor creates a portal account, submits applications, tracks review comments and checks inspection results. Anyone else can email the completed PDF application and documents to the permit office. When every reviewing department has approved, the permit technician contacts the applicant for payment and then issues the permit.

All contractors must register with the City on the Contractor Application, with a certificate of insurance showing at least $300,000 of liability cover or a $15,000 surety bond made out to the City, plus copies of any trade licences. Registration costs $50 for most trades (commercial, residential, pool, roofing, sign, irrigation, utilities and driveway contractors) and $100 for a combination registration; electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire alarm or sprinkler contractors pay nothing. A property owner may apply for a permit only if the property is listed as their homestead with the appraisal district.

Kilgore permit fees

Fees come from the Master Fee Schedule that City Council approved on September 22, 2026, effective October 1, 2026.

A 2,000 sq ft new house therefore costs $420 plus $320, or $740, before trade permits and utility taps.

Starting work before the permit doubles the permit fee and adds a $175 administrative fee. An expired permit can be reinstated for 50% of the original fee if work resumes within two years of its last recorded inspection, with the Building Official’s and Planning Director’s approval.

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits

Trade permits are usually approved within 24 to 48 hours. Each carries a $30 issuing fee plus item charges from the FY2027 schedule:

The Fire Department permits fire alarms ($100 for the first 10 devices), sprinkler systems ($100 for the first 25 heads and first zone), and hood and paint-booth suppression systems ($100). The first two fire re-inspections are free; the third costs $100 and the fourth $150. Duplexes and townhomes may also need fire inspections.

What to submit

Professional design is required for commercial developments, projects over $50,000, metal buildings, and assembly, institutional, educational and high-hazard buildings; metal accessory buildings at homes also need stamped drawings. Allow 10 days for each building permit submittal; the Building Services FAQ gives 10 working days for the first review.

How to get a Kilgore building permit

Inspections in Kilgore

The contractor arranges every inspection by email to permits@cityofkilgore.com or by phone at 903-988-4119, allowing 24 to 48 hours; portal users can also check results online. A new house is inspected in this order: temporary power pole, plumbing rough-in, setback (string lines if within 15 ft of a property line, and a form survey if within 1 ft of a setback), foundation, exterior sheathing, a combined framing and MEP rough, brick ties and vapor barrier, sheetrock in wet areas and in garage ceilings below living space, sewer and water lines, electrical service and gas meter, and the driveway approach with 48 hours’ notice.

A third-party inspector checks insulation before drywall and runs the final energy test, including a blower door test; that report and the termite treatment report go to the City before the combined final inspection. The certificate of occupancy is issued once every final passes. A re-inspection for failed work costs $50, repeat failures $100 each, and a pre-approved inspection outside regular hours $175.

Local Kilgore requirements

Job sites: each residential lot needs a porta-let (one can serve two side-by-side lots of the same builder), a debris fence, silt fence and storm drain inlet protection. Vegetation must be established front and back before erosion controls come off and the certificate of occupancy is issued.

Water and sewer taps: apply to the Water Department first. A 1- or 2-inch water tap is $3,000 on the short side of the street or $4,000 on the long side, a 5/8-inch meter set $850, and a 4-inch sewer tap from $3,000. Estimates can take up to 3 weeks and the work 4 to 6 weeks after payment. Temporary construction water needs a lead-free, anti-siphon faucet at the meter and a temporary customer service inspection.

Metal buildings: welded metal accessory buildings need a certified special inspector’s welding report, and bolt-up buildings over 12 ft tall or 600 sq ft need a special inspector’s framing report; smaller bolt-up buildings are inspected by the City. Garages and carports must be served by an asphalt or concrete driveway.

Codes: the Building Code ordinance adopted on August 26, 2025 brought in the 2021 International codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code from October 1, 2025, with the 2015 energy code; the 2021 Fire Code was adopted on April 8, 2025.

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

Kilgore official resources

• Kilgore permit applications and guidelines
• Kilgore Permit Portal
• Contractor information and registration
• Contractor Application (PDF)
• FY2027 Master Fee Schedule (PDF)
• New residential building permit procedure (PDF)
• Commercial building permit procedure (PDF)
• Residential accessory building checklist (PDF)
• Site development permit application and checklist (PDF)
• Residential construction and remodel inspection guide (PDF)
• Helpful tips for residential inspections (PDF)
• Temporary water service for construction (PDF)
• Current building code
• City of Kilgore FAQs

Kilgore permit FAQs

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

$420 covers the first 1,000 sq ft and each additional square foot is $0.32, so a 2,000 sq ft house pays $740 under the FY2027 schedule.

Do I need a permit for a storage shed in Kilgore?

The City’s 2026 checklist requires one for accessory buildings of 200 sq ft or more, at $0.25 per sq ft up to $425. Portable storage buildings are $50.

Can a homeowner pull a permit in Kilgore?

Yes, if the property is listed as the owner’s homestead with the appraisal district.

How long does a Kilgore permit take?

Trade and roofing permits are typically approved in 24 to 48 hours; other building permits take about 10 days per submittal.

Do I need a permit to replace my roof?

Yes. A residential re-roof permit costs $110, or $265 when the decking or structure is replaced.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Email permits@cityofkilgore.com or call 903-988-4119 and allow 24 to 48 hours.

Which building codes does Kilgore use?

The 2021 International codes, the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2023 National Electrical Code, in effect since October 1, 2025.

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