Shed permit in New Braunfels, TX
It depends — some shed work in New Braunfels needs a permit, some doesn't.
You do not need a permit for a one-story detached shed with a floor area of 200 square feet or less. Storm shelters are not covered by that break, and neither is anything bigger than 200 square feet. The exemption also drops away if the property has a special flood hazard area on it.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | When a shed or storage building permit is needed, the fee is $75.00 if it is built on site and $50.00 if it is pre-built. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 14-29, amendment (b), IRC R105.2, Building item 1 |
| Based on | 2021 IRC as amended by the City of New Braunfels |
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
New Braunfels'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Braunfels | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| San Antonio | 30 mi | Depends | Over 300 sq ft |
| Austin | 47 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Round Rock | 63 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Killeen | 98 mi | Depends | Over 20 sq ft |
| College Station | 125 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
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 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?
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.