Building permits in Austin, TX
Which home projects need a permit here, what the size cutoffs are, and where to apply. Read from Austin's own code of ordinances.
Projects covered
17
Permit needed
8
Depends on size
5
Pick your project
- Fence Depends
- Deck —
- Shed Depends
- Swimming Pool Yes
- Roof Replacement Yes
- Water Heater Yes
- HVAC Replacement Yes
- Electrical Panel Yes
- Demolition Yes
- Driveway Depends
- Tree Removal —
- Sign —
- Short-Term Rental —
- ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Yes
- Garage Depends
- Basement Yes
- Above-Ground Pool Depends
A dash means we could not confirm the rule from the code text. Those pages link straight to the ordinance section instead of guessing.
Where to apply in Austin
| Department site | austintexas.gov |
|---|---|
| County | Travis County |
| Population | 993,588 |
Working just outside the city line? Rules change at the boundary — unincorporated land is usually the county's call, not the city's.