Pleasanton, Texas Building Permit Guide

Inside Pleasanton city limits, Community Development Services at City Hall, 108 Second Street (830-569-3867), handles permitting, plan review and inspections, and every application, contractor registration and inspection request goes through the City’s My Government Online (MGO) portal. A new house costs $0.55 per square foot of foundation for the building permit, with separate mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits on top.

What requires a permit in Pleasanton?

The City’s FAQ and fee schedule cover the common residential jobs, and a separate page lists what is exempt.

The FAQ still says roof repairs over 10% of the roof need a permit, while the exempt list and the 2024 fee schedule exempt repairs of 50% or less.

Who handles permitting in Pleasanton?

Community Development Services covers code enforcement, plan review, permitting and inspections. For a large or detailed development, the department suggests a concept meeting with the Building Official, Public Works, the City Engineer and the Fire Chief.

Permit applications are not processed after 4:30 p.m. The City permits only inside its limits. Septic systems, in town or in the county, are permitted by Atascosa County Environmental Health (830-769-2748), TCEQ’s septic agent for the entire county; its permits are good for one year.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits

Trade permits are separate from the building permit, and on additions and new homes they can only be taken out by licensed mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors. On commercial jobs, trade permits follow once the building permit is issued.

Contractor registration: every contractor registers in MGO before applying. Trade contractors upload a master licence, driver’s licence and certificate of insurance; general contractors upload a driver’s licence and insurance. Coverage must be at least $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate and $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operations, with the City of Pleasanton, PO Box 209, Pleasanton, TX 78064 as certificate holder.

Pleasanton permit fees

Fees come from the City’s 2024 Building Permit Fee Schedule (Attachment A, December 2024). Residential construction is priced by area; commercial building permits use a valuation table.

A house with a 2,000 sq ft foundation pays $1,100 for the building permit before the trade permits and other charges. Every permit also carries a $20 processing fee and a 3% technology fee, and plan review fees are paid when plans are submitted and are not refunded.

Commercial building permits start at $180 for work valued up to $10,000; a $250,000 project pays $1,500 for the first $100,000 plus $7 for each additional $1,000, or $2,550. A certificate of occupancy costs $0.075 per square foot of the building, at least $100, and a temporary certificate $500. Work started without a permit is charged three times the total permit cost.

Permits expire after 180 days without progress, an extension costs half the original fee, plan revisions cost $100, and the City keeps 50% of the building permit fee if a permit is withdrawn. State-certified historic buildings and school district projects receive a 30% discount on building and trade permits.

How to apply in Pleasanton: 6 steps

Inspections and closeout

Building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing inspections are requested in the MGO portal, from the inspection tasks listed on your project. The Apply for Permit page lists in-person inspections on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the Inspection Requests page gives inspection hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Include a phone number if you want the inspector to call first, and any gate code.

Fire, certificate of occupancy, food, mobile home park, RV park and vendor inspections are booked with City Hall at 830-569-3867 or permits@pleasantontx.gov instead. After-hours inspections cost $150 an hour with a 2-hour minimum.

Projects submitted before January 26, 2023 that received a ten-digit project number stay on the old paper system: their subcontractors still file paper applications at City Hall or by email.

Local Pleasanton details

No zoning: the City has no zoning ordinance; a Future Land Use Plan is part of its ten-year plan. Setbacks still apply: six-foot privacy fences sit at least 25 feet back from the front property line, and accessory buildings and carports at least 25 feet from the front line and 5 feet from the side and rear lines.

Opening a business: apply in MGO for a certificate of occupancy with a Texas sales and use tax permit (or EIN) and a layout drawing; restaurants also need a food establishment permit, and alcohol sales go through the City Secretary. Commercial remodels need an asbestos survey before the Building Official approves the work.

Utilities: the City supplies water, sewer and trash service; electricity comes from AEP Texas or Karnes Electric, and gas from CenterPoint Energy.

Codes: the City follows the 2015 editions of the International Code Council codes.

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

Pleasanton permit search and official resources

• Pleasanton Community Development Services
• Apply for a permit (MGO steps and contractor registration)
• Inspection requests
• 2024 Building Permit Fee Schedule (PDF)
• Residential projects that do not require a permit
• Community Development FAQs
• My Government Online: Pleasanton portal
• Atascosa County Environmental Health (septic permits)

Frequently asked questions

Who handles building permits in Pleasanton?

Community Development Services at City Hall, 108 Second Street. Call the permit clerk at 830-569-3867 or email permits@pleasantontx.gov.

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

$0.55 per square foot of total foundation, so $1,100 for a 2,000 sq ft foundation, plus electrical and plumbing at $0.08 and mechanical at $0.06 per square foot, a $20 processing fee per permit and a 3% technology fee.

Do I need a permit for a fence in Pleasanton?

Yes for a new fence ($80), uploaded in MGO with a survey showing its location. Repairing half the fence or less is exempt.

Do I need a permit for a storage shed?

Only if it is larger than 200 sq ft, or if it sits in a flood zone or a recorded easement. Permitted buildings must be 25 feet from the front line and 5 feet from the side and rear lines.

Who reviews plans for the City?

Plan review questions go to BB Inspections at 830-872-3325 or schedule@bb-inspections.com.

Does Pleasanton have zoning?

No. The City has no zoning, though a future land use plan is in its ten-year plan.

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