Shed permit in Corpus Christi, TX
It depends — some shed work in Corpus Christi needs a permit, some doesn't.
A one-story detached shed with a floor area of 200 square feet or less does not need a permit. A larger shed, or one that is not one-story and detached, does need one.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | Residential building permit is $0.461 per square foot, minimum $146.41, plus 4.5% DSD administration surcharge. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 |
| Based on | IRC 2021 (adopted by reference) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Corpus Christi 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
Starting work that needs a permit without one costs 2 times the permit fee plus a $658.85 investigative 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Brownsville | 123 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Laredo | 142 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
| San Antonio | 144 mi | Depends | Over 300 sq ft |
| New Braunfels | 146 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Pearland | 168 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
Other work in Corpus Christi
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?
Corpus Christi 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.