Driveway permit in El Paso, TX
It depends — some driveway work in El Paso needs a permit, some doesn't.
A concrete driveway or walk on your own lot is exempt if it meets all of these: no more than 30 inches above grade, not over a basement or a story below, not serving as a foundation or structural support for future construction, and not located in the public right-of-way. The apron or curb cut out in the right-of-way is not covered by that exemption and is handled under the city's separate driveway rules, which also set width limits.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 30 in above grade |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | 18.10.040 (IRC Section R105.2), Building item 3; right-of-way driveways in Chapter 13.12 |
| 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 | — | Depends | Over 30 in above grade |
| Mesa | 326 mi | Depends | Over 30 in above grade |
| Cottonwood | 378 mi | Depends | Over 30 |
| San Antonio | 498 mi | Depends | Over 30 in above grade |
| Killeen | 515 mi | Yes | You need a permit to pour, widen, or replace a driveway. … |
| Bullhead City | 520 mi | Depends | A sidewalk or driveway on private property is exempt from… |
Other work in El Paso
Questions people ask
My driveway 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?
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.