Robstown, Texas Building Permit Guide

Inside Robstown city limits, the City’s Building & Development Department at 101 E. Main St. issues building, roofing, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits and inspects the work. Applications go through the City’s iWorQ portal, by email to qc_hub@cityofrobstown.com, or in person. A new home costs $0.60 per square foot plus a plan review fee of $0.12 per square foot and a $25 administrative fee, and a building permit is valid for six months.

What needs a permit in Robstown?

The department’s “Call Before You Build” notice lists the work that needs a City permit:

The building permit does not cover electrical or plumbing work; each trade takes out its own permit.

Who issues permits in Robstown?

The Building & Development Department, which the City groups under Quality Control, handles building permits, trade permits, inspections, zoning and platting for property inside the city limits. Jerry Velasco is the Building Official. Land outside the city limits is in unincorporated Nueces County.

Applying and registering

The iWorQ Citizen Portal takes building, trade, zoning and variance, land plat and certificate of occupancy applications, with plans and documents uploaded to the application. Searching for an existing permit there needs your Contractor Access Code. The City also posts PDF applications for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, roofing, sign and demolition permits, plus residential and commercial construction packets; these can be emailed or brought to the office. Fees are paid by check, money order or credit card.

• General contractors register every year for $150 with a copy of their driver’s licence.
• Electrical, mechanical, plumbing and irrigation contractors register at no charge with copies of their state licences, and must file a certificate of liability insurance naming the City of Robstown as certificate holder.
• Agents: a registered contractor or master tradesperson can file an affidavit authorizing a designated agent to apply for permits, and the City posts a limited power of attorney form.
• Homeowners: the City publishes a homeowner’s work affidavit for owners doing their own work.

Robstown permit fees

The 2026 License and Permit Fees schedule applies to applications from May 16, 2026.

For a 2,000 sq ft new house, the building permit is $1,200, plan review $240 and the administrative fee $25: $1,465 before trade permits. Commercial building and roofing permits are priced on valuation, from $24 under $1,000 to $1,042 for the first $100,000 plus $8 per extra $1,000 up to $500,000, and $6,742 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3 per extra $1,000; every commercial permit also carries a fire code review fee.

Starting work without a permit costs twice the permit fee plus a $150 investigative fee. Re-inspections cost $50 each after the second failed inspection, and plan resubmittals $25 each after the second rejected review.

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits

Trade permits go to the registered, state-licensed contractor for that trade. The City also takes journeyman and apprentice electrician and plumber applications.

What to submit

The City asks for a completed application, detailed plans and specifications, proof of ownership or the owner’s authorization, and payment. The 2026 building application records the lot, block and subdivision, zoning, whether the lot is platted, lot size, project square footage, distances to each property line, the building’s materials and the cost of the plumbing, electrical and HVAC work. Each zoning district has its own setbacks, so check them with the department or on the City’s interactive zoning map.

For a business, the certificate of occupancy checklist asks for the application, a deed or lease, ID, an application to the Utility Department for a connection work order, and preliminary and final inspections; food businesses also need a food dealer’s permit. The application with all final approval signatures must be in before the business opens. The checklist still shows a $30 fee; the 2026 schedule lists $250 for a change of use.

Steps to a Robstown permit

Inspections

A building permit is valid for six months and needs all of its inspections before the job is complete. Contact the department at 361-387-4589, option 5, or qc_hub@cityofrobstown.com about inspections. Once an inspection has failed twice, each further re-inspection costs $50. Connecting utilities to a building calls for a utility service inspection ($50 for two visits), and a business also passes a preliminary and a final inspection before its certificate of occupancy.

As a permit condition, construction debris may not be left on the property or the City right-of-way; it must go to a proper disposal site.

Planning and zoning in Robstown

Rezoning and variance requests cost $500 for under 10 acres, $700 for 10 to 20 acres and $950 above that. Preliminary plat fees depend on plat type and size, and a final plat is $300, paid when the signed plat is collected. Early assistance meetings with staff cost $250 an hour, and residential subdividers pay a park settlement fee. The City publishes its 2026 Planning and Zoning meeting schedule and a revised land subdivision application with checklist.

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

Robstown official resources

• Robstown Inspections Department
• iWorQ permit application portal
• List of all permit applications
• 2026 License and Permit Fees (PDF)
• Notice of code adoption, April 2026 (PDF)
• Building permit application, 2026 (PDF)
• Contractor registration, 2026 (PDF)
• Certificate of occupancy checklist (PDF)
• Interactive zoning map

Robstown permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Robstown?

The City’s Building & Development Department at 101 E. Main St. (361-387-4589, option 5); Jerry Velasco is the Building Official.

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

$0.60 per square foot, plus $0.12 per square foot for plan review and a $25 administrative fee. A 2,000 sq ft house pays $1,465 before trade permits.

Do I need a permit for a new roof?

Yes. New roofs and siding need a permit; a residential roof permit costs $125 plus the $25 administrative fee.

How do I apply?

Through the iWorQ portal, by emailing the application to qc_hub@cityofrobstown.com, or in person at City Hall, 101 E. Main St.

Which codes does Robstown use?

Since April 15, 2026, the 2021 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes, and the 2020 National Electrical Code.

How long is a Robstown building permit valid?

Six months, and all inspections must be passed before the work is complete. Extending an expired permit costs 30% of the original fee.

Do contractors have to register?

Yes. General contractors pay $150 a year; electrical, mechanical, plumbing and irrigation contractors register free with state licences and liability insurance.

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