New Braunfels issues building permits through the Building Division of Development Services, part of the city’s Transportation & Construction Services department ((830) 221-4041, option 1; development@newbraunfels.gov), and it runs two systems rather than one. Applications and payments go through the city’s online permit portal, while all new residential homes and commercial building permits are reviewed through ProjectDox — the city’s electronic plan review software.
The split matters operationally. ProjectDox is a separate cloud-based application, so users must create a separate login and password for the EPR site and for the city’s online permit portal. One account does not cover both, and that catches almost every first-time applicant.
The city also warns about an email fraud scheme targeting property owners currently doing business with the Neighborhood and Community Planning Department. The city says it does not invoice property owners by email and never requires a wire transfer; fees are invoiced and paid through its online system, and real city emails end in @newbraunfels.gov.
Applies inside New Braunfels city limits, which span Comal and Guadalupe counties. Seguin, Schertz, Cibolo, San Marcos, and Bulverde permit independently, and unincorporated Comal County runs its four-permit framework. Confirm the parcel before filing.
You need two accounts, not one. The permit portal and ProjectDox are separate systems requiring separate logins and passwords. Plans and documents are uploaded through ProjectDox, and the process requires certain documents to be uploaded after permit issuance and during construction to allow the contractor to proceed with inspections.
What requires a permit in New Braunfels?
New Braunfels requires a permit for construction, alteration, and repair work affecting structure, systems, or occupancy, and for electrical, gas, mechanical, irrigation or plumbing work. Plans are reviewed against the 2021 International Codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code, with the city’s local amendments, alongside its Land Development Ordinance — the LDO, which the city periodically updates through public meetings.
Commercial work requires a Commercial Building Permit with the required construction documents, submitted online through the permit portal with the plan review running in ProjectDox.
Permit required
- New residential homes — plan review through ProjectDox
- Commercial building permits — plan review through ProjectDox
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Interior remodels and commercial finish-out
- Reroofing and exterior envelope work
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
- Work subject to the Land Development Ordinance
- Change of occupancy or use; demolition
Typically exempt
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, and floor coverings
- Cabinet and countertop replacement
- Routine maintenance not affecting structure or systems
- Like-for-like replacement of existing fixtures
New Braunfels building department: who handles permitting
The Building Division of Development Services processes building permit applications and carries out all inspections inside the city limits; Development Services also covers development engineering, and zoning and the comprehensive plan sit with Neighborhood & Community Planning. Questions go to (830) 221-4041, option 1, or development@newbraunfels.gov. The city launched a software upgrade to increase efficiency and communication between staff and applicants, giving users a central hub for uploading plans and documents.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Once an EPR account is created, users can upload all plans and documents and coordinate online with city staff during review — which is the intended workflow rather than email correspondence.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | City of New Braunfels Development Services |
| Permit portal | City online permit portal — applications and payments |
| Plan review | ProjectDox (EPR) — all new residential homes and commercial building permits |
| Logins | Separate login and password required for the EPR site and the permit portal |
| Construction-phase uploads | Certain documents required after permit issuance to proceed with inspections |
| Codes | 2021 International Codes and 2020 NEC, with local amendments; Land Development Ordinance (LDO) |
| Phone | (830) 221-4041, option 1 · development@newbraunfels.gov |
| Fraud warning | Email fraud scheme targeting those doing business with Neighborhood and Community Planning |
| Counties | Comal and Guadalupe — the city spans the line |
Set up both accounts before the first submittal. The permit portal and the EPR site are separate cloud applications with separate credentials, and discovering that mid-application costs a cycle on a project that is otherwise ready to file.
In 2025, building permits issued in New Braunfels authorized 879 new privately owned housing units, all of them single-family homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.
New Braunfels permits: record types and what each covers
A building permit is one record among many, and in New Braunfels it lives across two systems. Applications and payments run through the city permit portal, while plan review for all new residential homes and commercial building permits runs through ProjectDox — a separate cloud-based application with its own login.
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 New Braunfels
New Braunfels sits on the I-35 corridor between San Antonio and Austin 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 governs. The overlay to watch on site work is the Edwards Aquifer, which reaches parts of Comal County.
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
New Braunfels permit cost and fees
New Braunfels permit fees are set in the city fee schedule published in the Code of Ordinances, with payments made through the online permit portal using the published Permit Portal and Online Payment Guide.
Verify any payment instruction against the official portal. The city has warned about an email fraud scheme targeting property owners doing business with its planning department, and payment redirection is the usual objective of such schemes.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Per the fee schedule in the Code of Ordinances |
| Commercial building permit | Requires the full construction document set |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fee per trade, filed by the licensed contractor |
| Plan review | Runs through ProjectDox for new residential and commercial |
| Payments | Through the online permit portal; verify instructions against the portal |
| Re-inspection | Charged when a checkpoint fails and is re-requested |
Want a precise number for a specific New Braunfels project? Send us the scope and valuation and we’ll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline across both systems.
New Braunfels trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work each need their own permit pulled by the state-licensed contractor for that trade. Texas licenses the trades through TDLR and the TSBPE and does not license general contractors.
Electrical
Service and panel work, new circuits, solar PV, EV charging, and backup power — performed by a TDLR-licensed electrician.
Plumbing
New plumbing, repipes, water heaters, fixtures, and gas piping — performed by a TSBPE-licensed plumber.
Mechanical / HVAC
Installations, non-like-for-like changeouts, ductwork, and venting, reviewed against the adopted codes.
Construction-phase documents
Certain uploads are required in ProjectDox after issuance and during construction before inspections can proceed.
New Braunfels permit application: how to apply step by step
New Braunfels spans Comal and Guadalupe. Confirm the property is inside city limits rather than Seguin, Schertz, Cibolo, or unincorporated Comal County.
The LDO governs development standards and the city updates it periodically. Confirm current requirements before designing.
Register on the city permit portal and separately on the ProjectDox EPR site. Two logins and passwords are required.
Commercial work requires a Commercial Building Permit with the required construction documents, submitted online.
Upload plans and documents and coordinate with city staff through the EPR system during review.
Certain documents must be uploaded after permit issuance and during construction before the contractor can proceed with inspections.
Inspections in New Braunfels
Inspections depend on the construction-phase document uploads. The city states that its permitting and construction process requires certain documents and plans to be uploaded after permit issuance and during construction to allow the contractor to proceed with inspections.
Because plan review and permitting run in separate systems, confirm which system carries the item holding an inspection — a missing ProjectDox upload and an unpaid portal invoice look similar from the field but are resolved differently.
Keep the permit posted and approved plans on site, and address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →New Braunfels permit search and official resources
- City of New Braunfels — building permits
- New Braunfels — permits and applications
- New Braunfels — fee schedule
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in New Braunfels?
City of New Braunfels Development Services issues building permits for everything inside New Braunfels city limits, handling plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. Work outside the city limits falls to Comal and Guadalupe counties, and Texas counties have sharply limited building authority in unincorporated areas.
How do I get a permit in New Braunfels?
Confirm the scope triggers a permit and that zoning allows it, prepare the plan set and site plan, file through Permit portal + ProjectDox (EPR) 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 New Braunfels?
Texas has no mandatory statewide building code. Municipalities adopt and amend model codes themselves, and New Braunfels has adopted the 2021 International Building, Residential, Fire, Existing Building, Energy Conservation, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Swimming Pool and Spa and Property Maintenance Codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code, with local amendments. The city says it will take the 2027 codes to City Council by the fall of 2027.
Do I need one account or two in New Braunfels?
Two. The EPR software running ProjectDox is an online, cloud-based application, so users must create a separate login and password for the EPR site in addition to the login and password already required for the city’s online permit portal. All new residential homes and commercial building permits are reviewed through ProjectDox, so both accounts are needed on those projects.
When do I upload documents in New Braunfels?
Before and during construction. The permitting and construction process requires certain documents and plans to be uploaded after permit issuance and during construction, to allow the contractor to proceed with inspections. That makes ProjectDox an active obligation through the build rather than a submittal step you complete and forget.
Is New Braunfels in Comal County or Guadalupe County?
Both, with the larger share in Comal County. Development Services permits throughout city limits regardless, so the permit path does not change — but appraisal district, property tax jurisdiction, and the office where plats and deeds record all do. Note also that unincorporated Comal County runs a distinct four-permit framework (OSSF, floodplain, PIPROW, and Fire Marshal), which is a different system entirely from the city’s.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Do I need a permit to install solar panels in New Braunfels?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in New Braunfels 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 New Braunfels?
Yes, in most cases. A roof covering replacement requires a permit in most Texas municipalities including New Braunfels, 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 New Braunfels?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in New Braunfels 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 New Braunfels?
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 New Braunfels?
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 ((830) 221-4041, option 1) can confirm it.
Can I apply for all New Braunfels permit types online?
Yes, across two systems. Applications and payments go through the city’s online permit portal using the published Permit Portal and Online Payment Guide, while plan review for new residential homes and commercial building permits runs through ProjectDox. Separate logins are required for each. Verify any emailed payment instruction against the official portal — the city has warned about an email fraud scheme targeting its applicants.
Simplify New Braunfels permitting with Alliance Permitting
Two systems with two logins, construction-phase uploads that gate inspections, a Land Development Ordinance under active revision, and an email fraud scheme aimed at the city’s own applicants — New Braunfels asks for careful coordination. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for New Braunfels: we run both systems and keep the uploads current.
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Contractors and builders choose Alliance for New Braunfels because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know the permit portal and ProjectDox split and which documents gate inspections during construction.
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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 New Braunfels Development Services before filing. This is not legal advice.