Shed permit in Austin, TX
It depends — some shed work in Austin needs a permit, some doesn't.
A small backyard shed is exempt if it is one story, no more than 200 square feet, no more than 15 feet tall, has no plumbing, is not a living space, and is not in a flood hazard area. Miss any one of those and you need a permit.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount. Austin sets permit fees in its adopted fee schedule. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | § 25-12-243, R105.2 Work Exempt from Permit, Building item 1 |
| Based on | 2024 IRC as adopted and amended by Austin (§ 25-12-241, § 25-12-243) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Austin building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
If you skip it
Austin's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Round Rock | 17 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| New Braunfels | 47 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Killeen | 54 mi | Depends | Over 20 sq ft |
| San Antonio | 74 mi | Depends | Over 300 sq ft |
| College Station | 89 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
Other work in Austin
Questions people ask
My shed is right at the limit. Does that count?
The exemption has to fit exactly — if the code says a size or height, being at or under it keeps you exempt, and going a single inch over doesn't. When you're close to the line, measure before you buy materials, and call the department if the number is borderline.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Austin can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.