Garage permit in Plano, TX
It depends — some garage work in Plano needs a permit, some doesn't.
Detached one-story accessory structure with floor area not exceeding 120 sq ft is exempt; any attached garage or detached garage over 120 sq ft requires a permit
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 120 |
| Fee | Per city's approved building inspections fee schedule; no dollar amount in the ordinance |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | R105.2 Building item 1 (Plano amendment, Sec. 6-710) |
| Based on | IRC 2024 as amended |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Plano 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
Class C misdemeanor; fine per Sec. 1-4 of City of Plano Code of Ordinances; each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plano | — | Depends | Over 120 |
| Richardson | 6 mi | Yes | Only one-story detached structures used as tool/storage s… |
| Allen | 6 mi | Yes | Detached accessory structure exemption applies only to sh… |
| Mesquite | 22 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Denton | 26 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Killeen | 148 mi | Yes | Over 20 |
Other work in Plano
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?
Plano 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.