Shed permit in Waco, TX
It depends — some shed work in Waco needs a permit, some doesn't.
A one-story detached accessory building (a storage shed) is exempt if its floor area does not exceed 200 sq ft; a larger shed needs a permit. Waco adopted the 2024 IRC by reference (Sec. 6-26, 6-29) without deleting R105.2, so the model exemption governs. The accessory-building sections in the code (15-114 manufactured-home parks, 28-970.5.3 ADUs, 28-1017 parking) cover other uses.
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 sq ft |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 |
| Based on | IRC 2024 as adopted (Waco Code sec. 6-26, 6-29) |
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.
If you skip it
Waco'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waco | — | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Killeen | 46 mi | Depends | Over 20 sq ft |
| Round Rock | 77 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Grand Prairie | 79 mi | No | Over 200 |
| College Station | 86 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Mesquite | 90 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Waco
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?
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.