Garage permit in New Braunfels, TX
It depends — some garage work in New Braunfels needs a permit, some doesn't.
Permit required for attached garages or detached garages exceeding 200 sq ft floor area; one-story detached accessory structure not exceeding 200 sq ft floor area is exempt (exemption does not apply if property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area)
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | Residential permit application fee: $50.00; building permit fee per Appendix D Section B (valuation-based); plan review: 25% of permit cost, not to exceed $2,500 |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | R105.2 Building item 1 (city amendment, Sec. 14-29(b)) |
| Based on | 2021 IRC as amended by City of New Braunfels (Ord. No. 2023-76; Ord. No. 2025-74) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the New Braunfels 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
Work without permit — residential: double permit fee per lot, $500.00 maximum per lot
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Braunfels | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Austin | 47 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Killeen | 98 mi | Yes | Over 20 |
| Sugar Land | 149 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Conroe | 163 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Pearland | 168 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
Other work in New Braunfels
- Fence Depends
- Deck Depends
- Shed Depends
- Swimming Pool Depends
- Roof Replacement Yes
- Water Heater Yes
- HVAC Replacement Yes
- Electrical Panel Yes
- Demolition —
- Driveway —
- Tree Removal —
- Sign Depends
- Short-Term Rental Yes
- ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Yes
- Garage Depends
- Basement —
- Above-Ground Pool Depends
Questions people ask
My garage 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?
New Braunfels 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.