Demolition permit in Waco, TX
Yes — you need a permit for demolition work in Waco.
You need a permit before you demolish a structure or part of one. Waco's amended property code (IPMC Section 103.4, added at Sec. 6-27) requires anyone who wants to demolish a building or structure to apply to the code official and get a permit first. Sec. 6-323 extends that demolition permit to cover the site clearance, leveling, and grading that follows. If the building is in a historic district, Sec. 28-1150 also adds a demolition-delay review before the permit is acted on.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a permit before you demolish a structure or part… |
| Fee | The code does not print a dollar amount. The city council sets permit fees in a schedule kept by the city secretary and building official. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 6-323 (demolition permits extended to site clearance, leveling and grading) |
| Based on | Waco Code sec. 6-323; IPMC 103.4 as amended (sec. 6-27); Sec. 28-1150 (historic demolition delay) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Waco 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
Working without the required permit is a strict-liability offense treated as a misdemeanor or civil infraction, and the city's cost of any corrective action can become a lien on the property (IPMC 107.3 as amended, Sec. 6-27).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waco | — | Yes | You need a permit before you demolish a structure or part… |
| Killeen | 46 mi | Yes | You need a permit before you demolish a building or struc… |
| Grand Prairie | 79 mi | Yes | Demolishing a structure or part of one needs a demolition… |
| College Station | 86 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Austin | 93 mi | Yes | You need a demolition permit from the building official b… |
| Richardson | 102 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Waco
Questions people ask
How much does a demolition permit cost in Waco?
The code does not print a dollar amount. The city council sets permit fees in a schedule kept by the city secretary and building official.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Waco 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.