Midland issues building permits through the Development Services Department (Permitting and Inspections, City Hall, 300 N Loraine St, Suite 430; 432-685-7390), with applications, payments and inspection requests on the PermitMidland portal. A residential building permit is required for new construction, additions, remodeling, repairs, and detached accessory buildings, and a commercial permit is required for all work performed on commercial structures.
Building permits may be obtained by the property owner or the owner’s licensed and bonded contractor, and a contractor must also be registered with the City of Midland. Registration means a $10,000 bond approved by the City Attorney before any permit issues, and the bond is valid for two years. Commercial permits require that registered contractor, and the city states that a bonded contractor must be listed on the permit for issuance. Confirm owner-builder eligibility and separately applicable trade requirements with Development Services before applying.
The city also flags a jurisdiction check explicitly: check the jurisdiction and zoning to determine whether your property is located within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction or the city limits. And the property must be platted and zoned for the proposed use before a residential permit will issue.
Applies inside Midland city limits, with ETJ considerations beyond them. Odessa and the surrounding Permian Basin municipalities permit independently. Midland County does not issue building permits; its Public Works office (500 N Loraine St, Suite 1100) issues driveway, right-of-way and floodplain permits for unincorporated land. Confirm both jurisdiction and zoning before filing.
Licensed and bonded and registered. Midland requires all three of a contractor who pulls a permit — licensed, bonded, and registered with the city, with a $10,000 bond approved by the City Attorney before any permit issues. The property owner may obtain the permit instead, but that does not waive separate trade licensing, and the city says a bonded contractor must be listed on the permit for issuance. The bond is the item most likely to hold up a contractor new to the city.
What requires a permit in Midland?
Midland requires a residential building permit for new construction, additions, remodeling, repairs, and detached accessory buildings, and a commercial permit for all work performed on commercial structures. Only the property owner or the owner’s licensed and bonded contractor can obtain a building permit.
The property must be platted and zoned for the proposed use. On residential work the city states plainly that you must verify the zoning of your land allows for residential use — a check that belongs before design, not at application.
Permit required
- Residential new construction, additions, remodeling, and repairs
- Detached accessory buildings
- All work performed on commercial structures
- Reroofing and exterior envelope work
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
- Retaining walls above the applicable height threshold
- Pools, with barrier requirements
- Change of occupancy or use; demolition
Typically exempt
- Cosmetic updates without electrical or plumbing changes
- Replacing a light fixture or outlet
- Freestanding decks not more than 30 inches above grade, per IRC R105.2
- Standard backyard fences under the applicable height threshold
Midland building department: who handles permitting
The Development Services Department handles permitting and inspections, with Code Administration describing its mission as protecting the health, safety, and public welfare of the city. The office is at City Hall, 300 N Loraine St, Suite 430 (432-685-7390); applications and payments are not accepted after 4 p.m. Inspections are requested through PermitMidland or by email to the city’s building, plumbing, mechanical or electrical inspection address.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Midland enforces a mixed set of adopted editions — the 2018 IBC, IRC, IMC, and IPC, the 2015 IECC and IFC, and the 2023 NEC. The electrical code is considerably newer than the building codes, which is worth noting when a designer assumes a single edition year applies across the set.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | City of Midland Development Services Department |
| Phone | 432-685-7390 — permitting and inspections; City Hall, 300 N Loraine St, Suite 430 |
| Online portal | PermitMidland — applications and inspection scheduling |
| Contractor requirement | Licensed and bonded, registered with the City of Midland |
| Adopted codes | 2018 IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC; 2015 IECC and IFC; 2023 NEC |
| Jurisdiction check | Confirm whether the property is in the ETJ or the city limits |
| Residential prerequisite | Property must be platted and zoned for residential use |
| Who may permit | The property owner or the owner’s licensed and bonded contractor; a bonded contractor must be listed for issuance |
Note the split edition years. Midland enforces 2018 building, residential, mechanical, and plumbing codes alongside the 2015 energy and fire codes and the 2023 NEC — so an electrical design has to be considerably more current than the structural one. Confirm the set before drawing.
In 2025, building permits issued in Midland authorized 1,317 new privately owned housing units, all of them single-family homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.
Midland permits: record types and what each covers
A building permit is one record among many. Development Services issues work under separate record types inside PermitMidland, and filing under the wrong one is a rejection rather than a correction. Midland puts two gates ahead of the record type: an eligible applicant — the property owner or the owner’s licensed, bonded, and city-registered contractor — and a property that is platted and zoned for the proposed use.
Residential permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | New dwellings, additions, and accessory structures over the exempt threshold | Full plan review (structural, energy, zoning) | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural or load-bearing changes, layout changes, substantial repair | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Reroof | Roof covering replacement and most major roof repair | Local reroof inspections; TDI windstorm inspection in the coastal catastrophe area | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Rooftop or ground-mount PV installation or replacement | Structural plus electrical review | Flat or system-size based |
| Solar thermal | Passive water heating or pool heating systems | Plumbing and structural review | Flat or per-permit minimum |
| Electrical | Service changes, panel upgrades, new circuits, most wiring alterations | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-device |
| Plumbing | New piping, repipes, water heaters, fixtures, gas piping | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Changeouts that are not like-for-like, ductwork, refrigeration | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-unit |
| Windows and doors | Replacement units and opening protection | Windstorm review for wind-borne debris on the coast | Valuation or per-opening |
| Pool and spa | In-ground and above-ground pools, spas, barrier and enclosure work | Plan review plus barrier and electrical bonding | Valuation-based |
| Fence and accessory | Fences, sheds, decks, and carports over the exempt threshold | Zoning plus structural where applicable | Flat or valuation-based |
| Demolition | Full or partial demolition of a structure | Utility disconnect verification required | Flat |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Commercial permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | Ground-up commercial, industrial, and multifamily | Full multi-discipline plan review | Valuation-based |
| Tenant improvement | Interior build-outs and suite fit-ups | Plan review across affected disciplines | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural, envelope, or system changes to an existing building | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Change of use | Converting a building from one occupancy classification to another | Zoning, life-safety, and accessibility review | Valuation or flat |
| Reroof | Commercial roof covering replacement | Plan review plus fire review where applicable; TDI windstorm inspection on the coast | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Commercial rooftop, carport, and ground-mount PV | Structural, electrical, and often fire review | Valuation or system-size based |
| Electrical | Service, distribution, and branch circuit work | Trade review | Valuation or per-device |
| Plumbing | Supply, waste, vent, and gas systems | Trade review | Valuation or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Rooftop units, ductwork, exhaust, and refrigeration | Trade review | Valuation or per-unit |
| Fire protection | Sprinkler, standpipe, alarm, and suppression systems | Fire prevention plan review | Valuation or per-device |
| Sign | Wall, monument, and illuminated signage | Zoning plus electrical where illuminated | Flat or per-sign |
| Demolition | Full or partial commercial demolition | Utility disconnect and environmental clearance | Flat or valuation-based |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Residential
- Single-discipline review in most cases
- Master permit with trades filed against it
- Owners may do some work on their own home; many cities ask for a homestead affidavit
- Windstorm rules drive roofing and opening protection on the coast
Commercial — multi-discipline
- Concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning
- Signed and sealed plans for larger projects; many cities require them for all commercial work
- Accessibility and life-safety review attach to change of use
- Impact fees can apply on top of permit fees
Roofing permits in Midland
Midland sits in the Permian Basin at roughly 105 to 115 mph ultimate design wind speed under the adopted code, far from the designated catastrophe area and outside any TDI windstorm requirement. Hail and blowing dust are the governing weather exposures, and impact-resistant roofing is an economic decision here rather than a code mandate.
Texas has no single statewide building code and no general contractor licence: state law sets base codes and each city adopts its own edition and amendments, while most counties issue no building permits for homes outside city limits. The statewide solar, HOA and roofing rules are on the Texas page. Texas rules
Midland permit cost and fees
Midland permit fees are set by the city and vary by project type and valuation. The city takes 25% of the fee when the application is submitted and the remaining 75% when the plans are approved, through PermitMidland or in person; payments are not accepted after 4 p.m.
Budget the bonding requirement if you are a contractor new to the city. Registration needs a $10,000 bond approved by the City Attorney, and the original signed bond has to reach City Hall before you can file permits, so it is not a same-day step.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Varies by project type and valuation |
| Contractor registration | $10,000 bond approved by the City Attorney; bonds are valid for two years |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fee per trade, filed by the registered contractor |
| Retaining walls | Permitted above the applicable height; engineering review may be required |
| Pools | Barrier and safety requirements apply alongside the permit |
| Re-inspection | $50 reinspection fee when an inspection fails or the work is not ready |
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Want a precise number for a specific Midland project? Send us the scope and valuation and we’ll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline against the adopted editions.
Midland trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work each need their own permit pulled by a licensed and bonded contractor registered with the City of Midland. Electrical work runs under the 2023 NEC — a newer edition than the 2018 building codes alongside it.
Electrical
Service and panel work, new circuits, solar PV, and EV charging under the 2023 NEC — performed by a TDLR-licensed electrician registered and bonded with the city.
Plumbing
New plumbing, repipes, water heaters, fixtures, and gas piping under the 2018 IPC — performed by a TSBPE-licensed plumber.
Mechanical / HVAC
Installations, changeouts, ductwork, and venting under the 2018 IMC, with the 2015 IECC governing energy compliance.
Specialty
Retaining walls above the applicable height, pools with barrier requirements, fences, and accessory buildings each run their own path.
Midland permit application: how to apply step by step
Determine whether the property is within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction or the city limits, and confirm zoning allows the proposed use.
A residential permit requires the property to be platted and zoned for residential use.
Building permits may be obtained by the property owner or the owner’s licensed and bonded contractor. A contractor must also be registered with the City of Midland, commercial permits require that registered contractor, and a bonded contractor must be listed on the permit for issuance. Confirm owner-builder eligibility and separately applicable trade requirements with Development Services before applying.
2018 IBC, IRC, IMC, and IPC; 2015 IECC and IFC; 2023 NEC. The electrical edition is newer than the rest.
Create the account and file the application with the plan set and supporting documents.
Request inspections through PermitMidland or by email to the inspection address for the trade, and clear the sequence to final. Questions go to 432-685-7390.
Inspections in Midland
Development Services performs construction inspections against the adopted codes. Request them through PermitMidland or by email with the permit number, address, inspection type and a contact; requests made before 4 p.m. on a weekday are inspected the next business day. Gas inspections are booked by phone on 432-685-7390 once the gas permit is issued.
Because Midland enforces a mixed set of edition years, confirm which edition governs a given inspection checkpoint — electrical runs under the 2023 NEC while the building, mechanical, and plumbing codes are 2018 and the energy code is 2015.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Keep the permit posted and approved plans on site, and address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection.
Midland permit search and official resources
- City of Midland — building permits
- Midland — permitting and inspections
- City of Midland — PermitMidland: Online Permitting Instructions
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in Midland?
City of Midland Development Services Department issues building permits for everything inside Midland city limits, handling plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. Work outside the city limits falls to Midland County, and Texas counties have sharply limited building authority in unincorporated areas.
How do I get a permit in Midland?
Confirm the scope triggers a permit and that zoning allows it, prepare the plan set and site plan, file through PermitMidland with contractor licensure in place, respond to plan review comments, pay fees and take issuance, then run the inspection sequence through final. Contractor credentialing is the step most often missed and it blocks everything downstream.
What codes apply in Midland?
Texas has no mandatory statewide building code. Municipalities adopt and amend model codes themselves, so Midland enforces 2018 IBC/IRC/IMC/IPC, 2015 IECC and IFC, 2023 NEC. The local amendments are where the binding requirements live, and they differ from neighboring cities working off the same model code. Confirm the current adopted editions with the department before designing to a specific one.
What does Midland require of contractors?
A contractor who obtains a permit must be licensed, bonded and registered with the City of Midland. Registration takes a $10,000 bond approved by the City Attorney, valid for two years. Building permits may be obtained by the property owner or the owner’s licensed and bonded contractor; commercial permits require the registered contractor, and the city states that a bonded contractor must be listed on the permit for issuance. Confirm owner-builder eligibility and separately applicable trade requirements with Development Services before applying, and arrange the bond and registration before bidding rather than after winning the work.
Which codes does Midland enforce?
A mixed set of edition years: the 2018 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, and Plumbing Codes, the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code and International Fire Code, and the 2023 National Electrical Code. The electrical edition is substantially newer than the rest, which catches designers who assume one edition year applies across the whole set. Confirm the current adopted editions with Development Services before drawing.
Is my Midland property in the city limits or the ETJ?
The city asks you to check this explicitly before applying — confirm the jurisdiction and zoning to determine whether the property is located within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction or the city limits. The answer affects which requirements apply and whether a city permit is the right instrument at all. Midland County does not issue building permits; for unincorporated land its Public Works office issues driveway, right-of-way and floodplain permits.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Midland?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in Midland are permitted under a dedicated solar record type reviewed on both a structural and an electrical track. Solar thermal — passive water and pool heating — is a separate record. Under Tex. Prop. Code §202.010, a homeowners' association cannot ban a solar energy device outright, but it may still require prior architectural approval and impose reasonable placement conditions, so run the HOA submittal alongside the permit. Since September 1, 2025, Tex. Local Gov't Code §247.0025 (SB 1202) also permits third-party plan review and inspection of home backup power installations — generators and energy storage for one- and two-family dwellings at 600 volts or less — in place of jurisdiction review. Utility interconnection and Permission to Operate still run in parallel.
Does a roof replacement require a permit in Midland?
Yes, in most cases. A roof covering replacement requires a permit in most Texas municipalities including Midland, though minor repairs can fall below the local threshold. Texas has no statewide product approval system and no central product listing, so compliance runs against the locally adopted code edition and its local amendments. Hail rather than wind is the governing risk inland, and Tex. Prop. Code §202.011 bars an HOA from prohibiting wind or hail resistant shingles.
What is the difference between a residential and a commercial permit in Midland?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in Midland runs concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning, requires signed and sealed plans for every affected discipline, and can carry impact fees on top of permit fees. Change of use adds accessibility and life-safety review.
Do trade permits need to be pulled separately in Midland?
Yes in most cases. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is permitted separately by the licensed contractor for each trade and filed against the master building permit. Each trade permit carries its own fee and its own inspection sequence.
What happens if I file under the wrong permit type in Midland?
The application may be returned for correction or have to be refiled under the right permit type, which costs time. Confirming the permit type before filing is the cheapest step in the whole process; Development Services (432-685-7390) can confirm it.
Can I apply for all Midland permit types online?
Yes. PermitMidland handles applications for building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, solar and pool permits, fee payments and inspection requests; the city also accepts applications as PDFs by email (permitrequests@midlandtexas.gov for residential, commercialpermits@midlandtexas.gov for commercial). Note that where a contractor is on the job, the bonded contractor registration must be in place before the permit can be issued — the portal does not substitute for that step.
Simplify Midland permitting with Alliance Permitting
A licensed-and-bonded-and-registered contractor requirement, a platting and zoning prerequisite on residential work, an ETJ question the city flags itself, and adopted editions spanning 2015 to 2023 — Midland front loads several checks. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Midland: we clear the credentialing and zoning gates before the application moves.
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Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the authority having jurisdiction through issuance. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
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More Texas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of July 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with City of Midland Development Services Department before filing. This is not legal advice.