San Marcos issues building permits through Planning and Development Services at 630 East Hopkins, and the city runs permitting on MGO Connect — online software used to intake, review, and process a variety of applications and permits electronically, with a unique login and password per applicant.
One account setup detail worth knowing: when creating the MGO Connect account, use a valid phone number you have access to, because you will receive a verification call. That trips up applicants who register with an office number they cannot answer.
The city is also strict on completeness. The application form states that the City of San Marcos will only accept this application and fees when all required documentation has been provided, and that if any information provided is incorrect the permit may be revoked.
Applies inside San Marcos city limits in Hays County. Kyle, Buda, New Braunfels, and Wimberley permit independently, and unincorporated Hays County runs a different system — county development permits, fire-code review for commercial and multifamily buildings, and third-party inspections for new homes. Confirm the parcel before filing.
Applications are only accepted when complete. San Marcos states that it will accept an application and fees only when all required documentation has been provided, and that the permit may be revoked if information provided is incorrect. Assemble the full document set before submitting rather than filing and supplementing.
What requires a permit in San Marcos?
San Marcos requires a permit for construction, alteration, and repair work affecting structure, systems, or occupancy, reviewed by Planning and Development Services against the International Codes as adopted by the city.
MGO Connect organises applications into categories — Residential, Commercial, Plumbing, Site, Subdivision, and Zoning — and selecting the right category is the first classification decision, ahead of the specific application within it.
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Interior remodels and commercial finish-out
- Reroofing and exterior envelope work
- Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work
- Site and subdivision applications
- Zoning applications
- 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
San Marcos building department: who handles permitting
Planning and Development Services handles building permits, plan review, and the site, subdivision, and zoning applications that frequently precede them, from 630 East Hopkins on 512-805-2630.
Following submittal, MGO Connect lets you pay fees online, track the progress of an application or permit, review staff comments, and schedule applicable inspections — the full cycle in one system.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | City of San Marcos Planning and Development Services |
| Office | 630 East Hopkins, San Marcos, TX 78666 |
| Phone | 512-805-2630 |
| Online portal | MGO Connect — unique login and password; verification call on account creation |
| Categories | Residential, Commercial, Plumbing, Site, Subdivision, Zoning |
| After submittal | Pay fees, track progress, review staff comments, schedule inspections in MGO |
| Completeness | Application and fees accepted only when all required documentation is provided |
| Custom reporting | Fixed Food Establishment Score Reports, Permitted Uses Detail, TCO Reports |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →San Marcos publishes custom reporting through MGO Connect, including Fixed Food Establishment Score Reports, Permitted Uses Detail, and TCO Reports. On a project chasing a temporary certificate of occupancy, that reporting is worth knowing about.
In 2025, building permits issued in San Marcos authorized 718 new privately owned housing units, all of them single-family homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.
San Marcos permits: record types and what each covers
A building permit is one record among many, and San Marcos organises them into six categories inside MGO Connect — Residential, Commercial, Plumbing, Site, Subdivision, and Zoning. Selecting the right category is the first classification decision, and the city accepts an application only when all required documentation has been provided.
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 San Marcos
San Marcos sits on the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio 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
San Marcos permit cost and fees
San Marcos permit fees are noted on the application, with plan review and filing fees itemised, and paid online through MGO Connect following submittal.
Because the city accepts an application and fees only when all required documentation has been provided, an incomplete package does not reach the fee stage at all — assemble first.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Per the fee schedule noted on the application |
| Plan review and filing | Itemised on the application form |
| Trade permits (plumbing, electrical, mechanical) | Separate categories in MGO Connect |
| Site, subdivision, and zoning | Separate application categories with their own fees |
| Payment | Online through MGO Connect following submittal |
| Certificate of occupancy | TCO reporting available through MGO custom reports |
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Want a precise number for a specific San Marcos project? Send us the scope and valuation and we’ll confirm current fees with the city and return an estimate alongside a filing timeline.
San Marcos trade permits
Plumbing has its own application category in MGO Connect, and electrical and mechanical work each need their own permit pulled by the state-licensed contractor for that trade.
Electrical
Service and panel work, new circuits, solar PV, EV charging, and backup power — performed by a TDLR-licensed electrician.
Plumbing
A named application category in MGO Connect. 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.
Site and subdivision
Separate categories that frequently precede the building permit on new development.
San Marcos permit application: how to apply step by step
Check against Kyle, Buda, New Braunfels, Wimberley, and unincorporated Hays County. The I-35 corridor has grown fast.
Use a valid phone number you have access to — you will receive a verification call.
Residential, Commercial, Plumbing, Site, Subdivision, or Zoning, then the specific application within it.
The city accepts the application and fees only when all required documentation has been provided.
Upload plans and required documents through MGO Connect, then pay fees online.
Track progress, review staff comments, and schedule applicable inspections through MGO Connect.
Inspections in San Marcos
Inspections are scheduled through MGO Connect, which also carries fee payment, application progress tracking, and staff comments — the full cycle after submittal in one system.
San Marcos publishes custom reporting including TCO Reports, which is useful on a commercial project chasing a temporary certificate of occupancy.
Keep the permit posted and approved plans on site, and address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection.
San Marcos permit search and official resources
- City of San Marcos — Permit Center
- San Marcos — applications
- San Marcos — building permit application (PDF)
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in San Marcos?
City of San Marcos Planning and Development Services issues building permits for everything inside San Marcos city limits, handling plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. Work outside the city limits falls to Hays County, and Texas counties have sharply limited building authority in unincorporated areas.
How do I get a permit in San Marcos?
Confirm the scope triggers a permit and that zoning allows it, prepare the plan set and site plan, file through MGO Connect 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 San Marcos?
Texas has no mandatory statewide building code. Municipalities adopt and amend model codes themselves. Under Ordinance 2023-09, in effect since April 1, 2023, San Marcos enforces the 2021 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Fire, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, Energy Conservation, Property Maintenance, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes, and the 2020 National Electrical Code, with local amendments. Confirm the current adopted set with the Permit Center before designing.
How does MGO Connect work in San Marcos?
The city uses MGO Connect to intake, review, and process applications and permits electronically, with a unique login and password. Create an account online and use a valid phone number you have access to, because you will receive a verification call. Then select the category of application — Residential, Commercial, Plumbing, Site, Subdivision, or Zoning — select the specific application, and upload plans and required documents. After submittal you can pay fees online, track progress, review staff comments, and schedule applicable inspections.
What happens if my San Marcos application is incomplete?
It is not accepted. The city states that it will only accept the application and fees when all required documentation has been provided, and the applicant certifies the truthfulness of all information in and attached to the request — with the permit subject to revocation if any information provided is incorrect. Assemble the full set before submitting rather than filing and supplementing later.
How does San Marcos differ from unincorporated Hays County?
Substantially. San Marcos runs a conventional municipal department with six MGO Connect application categories, plan review, and inspections. Unincorporated Hays County has no zoning and does not inspect houses. Its Development Services office (2171 Yarrington Road, Suite 100, Kyle; 512-393-2150) requires a development permit for any kind of development, plus a septic (OSSF) design for a new home. New single-family homes fall under the county’s Notice of New Residential Construction: three inspections, done by a third-party inspector the builder hires. Commercial, public and multifamily buildings are reviewed under the fire code adopted by the county Fire Marshal. Confirm which applies before designing.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Do I need a permit to install solar panels in San Marcos?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in San Marcos 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 San Marcos?
Yes, in most cases. A roof covering replacement requires a permit in most Texas municipalities including San Marcos, 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 San Marcos?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in San Marcos 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 San Marcos?
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 San Marcos?
The application may be returned for correction or have to be refiled under the right application type, which costs time. Confirming the application type in MGO Connect before filing is the cheapest step in the whole process; the Permit Center (512-805-2630, permitinfo@sanmarcostx.gov) can confirm it, and a Permit Determination Form is available where the scope is unclear.
Can I apply for all San Marcos permit types online?
Yes. The City of San Marcos utilises MGO Connect to intake, review, and process a variety of applications and permits electronically, allowing applicants to submit online using a unique login and password. Following submittal you can pay fees online, track the progress of an application or permit, review staff comments, and schedule applicable inspections. The city also publishes custom reporting including Fixed Food Establishment Score Reports, Permitted Uses Detail, and TCO Reports.
Simplify San Marcos permitting with Alliance Permitting
A six-category portal, a verification call on account setup, a strict completeness rule, and a county just outside running an entirely different framework — San Marcos rewards assembling fully before filing. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for San Marcos: we file complete in the right category the first time.
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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 San Marcos Planning and Development Services before filing. This is not legal advice.