Shed permit in Killeen, TX
It depends — some shed work in Killeen needs a permit, some doesn't.
A small backyard shed is exempt only if it is a one-story detached accessory building used for storage or a similar use with a floor area no greater than 20 square feet. Killeen lowered this from the model code's 200 square feet, so almost any real storage shed goes over the limit and needs a permit. Zoning setback rules still apply either way.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 20 sq ft |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount. The city sets permit fees in its adopted fee schedule. |
| Review time | 45 days |
| Code section | Sec. 8-191(3), R105.2 Work exempt from permit, Building item 1 (as amended) |
| Based on | IRC 2024 as amended by City of Killeen (Sec. 8-191(3), R105.2 Building item 1) |
Most building codes exempt a shed up to 200 sq ft. Killeen is stricter — the cutoff here is just 20 sq ft.
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Killeen 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
Building without a required permit is a code violation. The fine runs from $500 to $2,000, and each day it continues is a separate offense (Sec. 8-11).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen | — | Depends | Over 20 sq ft |
| Round Rock | 38 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Waco | 46 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Austin | 54 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| College Station | 92 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| New Braunfels | 98 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
Other work in Killeen
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?
Killeen 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.