Round Rock issues building permits through Building Inspection within Planning and Development Services at 301 W Bagdad Avenue, Suite 100 (512-218-5550, Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm), running applications, fees and inspection scheduling on the Round Rock Permit Portal. The city runs a one-permit system: the electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors are added to the same permit, and every contractor must register with the city (no fee).
Plan the schedule around the review window. For residential remodels, additions, accessory structures and pools the city states that the review process will take approximately 30 business days from the date your application is received and accepted; commercial remodels and finish-outs take about 4 to 8 weeks. The clock runs from acceptance rather than submittal, so an incomplete package does not start it, and no expedited review is offered.
Round Rock is also direct about fee policy: the building permit fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, and by proceeding with payment you confirm your understanding and acceptance of that departmental policy. Get the scope and the record type right before paying.
Applies inside Round Rock city limits, mostly in Williamson County with a small part in Travis County, and in the Chandler Creek and Vista Oaks Municipal Utility Districts. Austin, Pflugerville, Hutto, Georgetown, and Cedar Park permit independently, and unincorporated Williamson County runs its own operation. Confirm the parcel and its ETJ status before filing — the city asks callers outside its limits to phone 512-218-5550 first.
30 business days, and the clock starts at acceptance. Round Rock reviews residential remodels, additions and accessory permits in approximately 30 business days from the date an application is received and accepted, and commercial remodels in about 4 to 8 weeks. An incomplete submittal does not start that clock — it waits — and a resubmittal cycle adds to it.
What requires a permit in Round Rock?
Round Rock requires a permit for construction and alteration work affecting structure, systems, or occupancy, reviewed by Building Inspection against the 2024 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Energy Conservation, Fire, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code.
The city publishes specific fees for small projects, which helps budgeting — sheds, pergolas, gazebos, outdoor kitchens, studio sheds, detached garages, spas, and pools each have a stated fee.
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Interior remodels and commercial finish-out
- Reroofing and exterior envelope work
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
- Sheds, pergolas, gazebos, outdoor kitchens, studio sheds, and detached garages
- Spas, hot tubs, and above-ground pools
- 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
Round Rock building department: who handles permitting
Building Inspection within Planning and Development Services handles plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections from 301 W Bagdad Avenue, Suite 100. Payment can also be made by check dropped at the office, payable to the City of Round Rock with the case or application number on the memo line.
The city directs applicants to monitor email for notifications and to check the Comment and Tasks sections of the application in the Permit Portal for updates — that is where review activity surfaces, not in a status field alone.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | City of Round Rock Planning and Development Services — Building Inspection |
| Office | 301 W Bagdad Avenue, Suite 100, Round Rock, TX 78664 |
| Online portal | Round Rock Permit Portal — apply and schedule inspections |
| Review time | About 30 business days from acceptance for residential; 4 to 8 weeks for commercial remodels |
| Fee policy | Building permit fees are non-refundable and non-transferable |
| Check payment | Payable to the City of Round Rock; include case/application number on the memo |
| Updates | Monitor email and the Comment and Tasks sections of the application |
| Neighbouring jurisdictions | Austin, Pflugerville, Hutto, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Williamson County |
Published miscellaneous fees are worth knowing before scoping a small project: sheds without electrical or plumbing $50; pergolas and gazebos without electrical or plumbing $125; pergola, gazebo, outdoor kitchen, studio shed, or detached garage with electrical and/or plumbing $300; spa or above-ground pool $125.
In 2025, building permits issued in Round Rock authorized 845 new privately owned housing units, 529 of them single-family homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.
Round Rock permits: record types and what each covers
A building permit is one record among many. Building Inspection issues work under separate record types through the Permit Portal, with all trade contractors on the one permit, and filing under the wrong one costs time — and Round Rock building permit fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
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 Round Rock
Round Rock sits in Williamson County north of Austin at roughly 105 to 115 mph ultimate design wind speed under the adopted code, far inland of the designated catastrophe area and outside any TDI windstorm requirement. Hail governs, and Central Texas spring storm cells drive concentrated reroof demand across the corridor.
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
Round Rock permit cost and fees
Round Rock publishes flat fees for most residential permits: $485 for a new single-family home (plus water meter, line and impact fees), $500 for a remodel or addition, $350 for an in-ground pool, and the accessory-structure fees below. Commercial permits are priced on the job’s estimated cost (valuation). Two inspections of each type are included; a third costs $75.
All building permit fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. On a project where the scope may change or the record type is uncertain, that policy is worth weighing before payment.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Shed without electrical or plumbing | $50 |
| Pergola or gazebo without electrical or plumbing | $125 |
| Pergola, gazebo, outdoor kitchen, studio shed, or detached garage with electrical and/or plumbing | $300 |
| Spa (hot tub) or above-ground pool | $125 |
| Building permit | $485 new single-family home; $500 residential remodel or addition; commercial by valuation |
| Policy | All building permit fees are non-refundable and non-transferable |
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Want a precise number for a specific Round Rock project? Send us the scope and valuation and we’ll return a fee estimate alongside a realistic timeline including the 30 business day review.
Round Rock trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work each need their own permit pulled by the state-licensed contractor for that trade. Note that adding electrical or plumbing to an accessory structure moves it into a higher fee category here.
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 mechanical and energy codes as adopted.
Accessory structures
A shed without electrical or plumbing is a $50 permit; add either and a detached garage or studio shed becomes $300. The trade scope drives the classification.
Round Rock permit application: how to apply step by step
Check against Austin, Pflugerville, Hutto, Georgetown, Cedar Park, and unincorporated Williamson County, and note ETJ status.
Round Rock publishes specific figures for accessory structures and pools. Adding electrical or plumbing changes the category.
Applications and inspection scheduling run through the portal.
The 30 business day review clock starts when the application is received and accepted — an incomplete package does not start it.
Watch email notifications and check the Comment and Tasks sections of the application in the portal for review activity.
Pay online or by check at 301 W Bagdad Ave with the case number on the memo. Fees are non-refundable. Schedule inspections through the portal.
Inspections in Round Rock
Inspections are scheduled through the Round Rock Permit Portal, which has handled applications and inspection scheduling since the city moved to it.
Review activity appears in the Comment and Tasks sections of the application rather than a status field alone, and the city asks applicants to monitor email for notifications throughout.
Keep the permit posted and approved plans on site, and address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection — particularly given the length of the review cycle if a resubmittal is needed.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Round Rock permit search and official resources
- City of Round Rock — Building Inspection
- Round Rock — miscellaneous building permits
- Round Rock Permit Portal
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in Round Rock?
City of Round Rock Planning and Development Services — Building Inspection issues building permits for everything inside Round Rock city limits, handling plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. Work outside the city limits falls to Williamson County, and Texas counties have sharply limited building authority in unincorporated areas.
How do I get a permit in Round Rock?
Confirm the scope triggers a permit and that zoning allows it, prepare the plan set and site plan, file through the Round Rock Permit Portal with the general contractor and every trade contractor registered and added to the application, respond to plan review comments, pay fees and take issuance, then run the inspection sequence through final. The permit is not issued until each subcontractor has accepted the assignment in the portal.
What codes apply in Round Rock?
Texas has no mandatory statewide building code. Municipalities adopt and amend model codes themselves, and Round Rock enforces the 2024 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Energy Conservation, Fire, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code, with the Texas Accessibility Standards. Neighbouring cities may be on different editions.
How long does plan review take in Round Rock?
For residential remodels, additions, accessory structures and pools, approximately 30 business days from the date your application is received and accepted; for commercial remodels and finish-outs, about 4 to 8 weeks. That acceptance qualifier matters: an incomplete submittal does not start the clock, it waits. No expedited review is offered. The city asks applicants to monitor email for notifications and to regularly check the Comment and Tasks sections of the application on the Round Rock Permit Portal for updates during review.
Are Round Rock permit fees refundable?
No. The building permit fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, and by proceeding with payment you confirm your understanding and acceptance of that departmental policy. Because of that, settle the record type and the scope with Building Inspection before paying — a fee paid against the wrong application does not move to the right one.
What do accessory structure permits cost in Round Rock?
The city publishes specific figures. A shed, plastic or wooden, without electrical or plumbing is $50. A pergola or gazebo without electrical or plumbing is $125. A pergola, gazebo, outdoor kitchen, studio shed, or detached garage with electrical and/or plumbing is $300. A spa or hot tub, or an above-ground pool, is $125. Adding a trade to an accessory structure is what moves it up a category — confirm current figures before budgeting.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Round Rock?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in Round Rock 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 Round Rock?
Yes, in most cases. A roof covering replacement requires a permit in most Texas municipalities including Round Rock, 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 Round Rock?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in Round Rock 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 Round Rock?
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 Round Rock?
The application may be returned for correction or have to be refiled under the right permit type, which costs time — and Round Rock permit fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Confirming the permit type before filing is the cheapest step in the whole process; Building Inspection (512-218-5550) can confirm it.
Can I apply for all Round Rock permit types online?
Yes. The Round Rock Permit Portal handles applications and inspection scheduling, and the city has run residents and businesses through it since launch. Payment can be made online or by check dropped at 301 W Bagdad Avenue, Suite 100, payable to the City of Round Rock with the case or application number on the memo line. Watch the Comment and Tasks sections for review activity.
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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 Round Rock Planning and Development Services — Building Inspection before filing. This is not legal advice.