Demolition permit in El Paso, TX
Yes — you need a permit for demolition work in El Paso.
Tearing down a building or structure, or any part of one, needs a demolition permit, and the code sets out the process for getting one. If the property is a designated historic landmark or sits in an H-overlay, you also have to file a separate demolition or removal application under the historic landmark rules.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Tearing down a building or structure, or any part of one,… |
| Fee | You pay the established demolition fee for a building, a structure, or any portion of one. The ordinance does not print a dollar amount. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | 18.02.108.1, fee in 18.02.106.21, historic landmarks in 20.20.120 |
| Based on | IRC 2021 as adopted and amended by the city (Ord. No. 019528) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the El Paso 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
El Paso'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso | — | Yes | Tearing down a building or structure, or any part of one,… |
| Tempe | 337 mi | Yes | Tearing down a structure or part of one needs a permit. D… |
| Scottsdale | 340 mi | Yes | You need a demolition permit before you tear down a build… |
| Amarillo | 352 mi | Yes | You need a demolition permit from the building official b… |
| Avondale | 358 mi | Yes | Demolishing a structure or part of one requires a permit … |
| Abilene | 394 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in El Paso
Questions people ask
How much does a demolition permit cost in El Paso?
You pay the established demolition fee for a building, a structure, or any portion of one. The ordinance does not print a dollar amount.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
El Paso 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.