Shed permit in Brownsville, TX
It depends — some shed work in Brownsville needs a permit, some doesn't.
A one-story detached shed used only for tool or storage, with a floor area of 200 square feet or less that will not be enclosed later, does not need a building permit. A larger shed, or one that does not meet these limits, does need a permit.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | For a shed that needs a permit, new residential construction is $40.00 base plus $0.25 per square foot up to 1,450 sq ft (Sec. 18-123). |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | 105.2 Work exempt from permit (Building), as amended by Sec. 18-126 |
| Based on | IBC 2018 as amended (Sec. 18-126); IRC 2018 adopted by reference (Sec. 18-116) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Brownsville 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.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Working without a required permit can bring a citation of up to $2,000.00 per violation per day (Sec. 18-119).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Corpus Christi | 123 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Laredo | 166 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
| San Antonio | 248 mi | Depends | Over 300 sq ft |
| New Braunfels | 259 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Pearland | 278 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
Other work in Brownsville
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?
Brownsville 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.