Palestine, Texas Building Permit Guide

Inside Palestine city limits, permits come from the City’s Development Services Department at City Hall, 504 N Queen Street (permit technician 903-731-8435), and every permit request is emailed to permits@palestine-tx.org. Bureau Veritas reviews plans for the City, while building inspections have been done by the City’s own inspector since January 6, 2026. A new house costs $824.25 for the first 1,500 sq ft plus $0.37 per extra square foot, with a $210 plan review fee and $105 for each trade permit.

What requires a permit in Palestine?

Development Services says a permit is the legal authorization to start building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, remodel, new construction, demolition and sign work. Its application forms and fee schedule cover:

Garages and carports also need a parking plan and an improved driveway and parking surface. Metal accessory buildings need stamped drawings.

Palestine building department: who handles permitting

Development Services covers planning (zoning, addressing, platting, historic preservation), permitting, inspections and code compliance, and serves as the liaison to Bureau Veritas and to the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Building and Standards board, the Historic Landmarks board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals. Its Permitting Division reviews construction plans and issues building permits; Bureau Veritas still handles plan and health reviews. The Fire Marshal’s Office reviews fire plans and takes part from pre-construction planning through occupancy. TCEQ lists the City as an authorized agent for septic permits. Land outside the city is in Anderson County.

Palestine applications and contractor registration

All permit requests are emailed to permits@palestine-tx.org using the Construction Permit Application (residential and commercial versions are posted), with the matching plan review checklist. Incomplete applications are not processed.

Contractor registration: building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sign and irrigation contractors register with the City before a permit is issued. Registration is $125 and lasts one year from issue. State-licensed electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors pay nothing but must give their state licence number.

Other City forms include the Residential Accessory Building Permit Procedure, Clean and Show and Certificate of Occupancy applications, Demolition, Grading/Excavation, Sidewalk and Driveway, Fence, Sign and Telecommunications Tower permits, the Water and Sewer Tap Application, the Fire Department permit application and Fire Code Checklist, and the Permit to Use Public Right-of-Way.

Palestine permit cost

Fees come from the City’s Building Permit Fee Schedule page.

For example, a 2,500 sq ft house pays $824.25 plus 1,000 × $0.37, or $1,194.25, plus the $210 plan review fee and $105 for each trade permit.

Commercial work pays a plan review fee and an inspection fee, both on sliding valuation scales; a $300,000 project, for example, falls in the $100,001–$500,000 band, where plan review is $406.97 plus $2.30 per $1,000 over $100,000 and inspections are $626.06 plus $3.53 per $1,000. Utility taps for new service are a separate cost: a 3/4-inch water connection is $1,795.25 to $2,448.12 depending on the side of the street, a sewer connection up to 4 feet deep $1,657.12 to $2,082.38, and only a state-licensed plumbing contractor may connect to the tap.

Palestine trade permits

Mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits are $105 each and are separate from the building permit; the application asks for each trade contractor’s licence number. Trade contractors call in their own rough-in and final inspections. The City’s code page reminds electricians and HVAC contractors to follow TDLR rules and plumbers to follow the State Board of Plumbing Examiners rules.

Fire review: commercial fire plans go to the Fire Marshal’s Office by email, with one paper set of drawings at least 24 by 36 inches mailed to City Hall. The office then contacts you with revisions or approval and explains how to pay for the fire permit.

Plans to submit

Remodels and additions need a floor plan with details, the scope of the project and energy data where required. Staff check every application for historic district or landmark status and floodplain location.

How to get a Palestine permit: 6 steps

Inspections in Palestine

Since January 6, 2026 the City has done all building inspections with its own inspector. Email requests to permits@palestine-tx.org by 4:00 p.m. for an inspection the next business day. The Bureau Veritas address still printed on the Development Services page is the old route; the 2026 Inspections page sends requests to the City.

• Slab: the plumber calls in the plumbing rough-in, the temporary power pole is checked at the same visit, and the slab is inspected once the steel is placed and termite treatment is done.
• Framing: mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-ins are passed first; anchor bolts are checked with the electrical inspection, duct sealing before framing, and insulation R-values at the framing inspection, along with caulked plates and foamed holes.
• Sheetrock (commercial): screw pattern before taping, and all fire walls before they are covered.
• Final: each trade calls its own final, then the general contractor calls the building final.

Residential utilities are not released until the building final passes. Commercial buildings also need Planning and Zoning, Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Fire Marshal and, where food is sold, Health inspections before the building final and the Certificate of Occupancy inspection, and a re-inspection fee may be charged if those are not done first.

Local Palestine details

Historic preservation: Palestine counts more than 1,800 recognized historic resources and has had a preservation ordinance for nearly 25 years. Exterior changes in historic districts and to landmarks go through design review against the City’s residential and commercial design guidelines, with a Certificate of Appropriateness application.

Zoning: a rezoning takes about 90 to 120 days. Zoning verification letters are requested from the Development Services Director.

Codes: the City uses the 2021 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Fire, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas and Property Maintenance Codes, the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2023 National Electrical Code.

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

Palestine permit search and official resources

• Palestine Development Services and forms
• Palestine Permitting Division
• Palestine Building Permit Fee Schedule
• Palestine inspections
• Order of Inspections
• Residential Plan Review Checklist
• Contractor License Registration
• Palestine adopted building codes
• Fire Marshal plan submittal
• Palestine historic preservation

Frequently asked questions

Who issues building permits in Palestine?

The City’s Development Services Department, through its Permitting Division at City Hall, 504 N Queen Street (903-731-8435).

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

$824.25 for the first 1,500 sq ft plus $0.37 per extra square foot, plus a $210 plan review fee and $105 for each trade permit. A 2,500 sq ft house pays $1,194.25 before plan review and trades.

Do I need a permit for a fence or shed in Palestine?

Yes. A fence permit is $50, and sheds, garages, carports and patios are permitted on a valuation basis with a site plan and building details.

When are inspection requests due?

By 4:00 p.m., by email to permits@palestine-tx.org, for an inspection the next business day.

Do contractors have to register?

Yes. Registration is $125 a year; state-licensed electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors register free with their licence number.

Does historic-district work need extra approval?

Yes. Work on a designated landmark or in a historic district needs a Certificate of Appropriateness under the City’s preservation rules.

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