Shed permit in College Station, TX
It depends — some shed work in College Station needs a permit, some doesn't.
No permit for a one-story detached accessory structure with a floor area of 200 sq ft or less; a larger shed requires a permit.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 |
| Based on | 2021 IRC as adopted by reference |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the College Station 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
Starting work before getting a required permit adds a penalty of 100% of the usual fee on top of the permit fee.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Station | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Round Rock | 81 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Waco | 86 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Austin | 89 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Killeen | 92 mi | Depends | Over 20 sq ft |
| Pearland | 92 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
Other work in College Station
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?
College Station 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.