Building Permits (Service Center)

The Service Center provides the following services:

Issues building permits and applicable trade permits (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, irrigation)
Issues "stand-alone" trade permits (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, irrigation) that are not tied to a building permit
Provides permit payment services
Registers licensed contractors (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and irrigation) to perform work. View contractor registration requirements and payment services.

When is a Permit Required?

A building permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, improve, remove, convert, move or demolish any building or structure within in the City’s zoning jurisdiction or in certain Municipal Utility Districts.

All building plans must be reviewed and approved by Residential or Commercial Building Plan Review before a building permit and applicable trde permits are issued.

A "stand-alone" trade permit (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, irrigation) may also be required depending on the scope of work. To learn whether your project requires a permit, call us at 3-1-1.

What type of work is Exempt from Building Permits?

Click here to view work exempt from Building Permits. Please note that all work must still comply with applicable Building Codes, City Codes and applicable ordinances.

What do I do with my permit after I pick it up?

Your permit must be posted somewhere visible from the public right of way (ROW) on your work site before you begin your project.

What happens after the permitted work has been completed?

Depending on the type of work that is permitted, an inspection is required. Learn more about the type of inspections required during construction. Once the permitted work is completed, a final inspection is required. Upon Final Inspection, a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Certificate of Compliance (CC) will be issued authorizing occupancy of the structure.

Do Permits Expire?

Permits remain active for 180 days, but will expire on the 181st day if the project has not received an inspection, or after the date of the last inspection that shows progress towards completion of the project. An expired permit must be resolved before a new building permit can be issued. To check whether an expired permit exists on your property, call 3-1-1. You can resolve expired permits by following the expired permit process.

Can the homeowner perform the work?

A person who is not licensed to perform electrical, mechanical & plumbing work may perform work within a residence and on property owned by the person if eligibility requirements are met. This type of permit is a Homestead Permit.

Permit Payment Services

In Person

Permit fees may be paid at the Service Center located on the 1st Floor at 505 Barton Springs Road. View DSD Permit Fees.

Online by Credit Card or Electronic Check

We accept online payments for permits and inspection fees. Our online portal, Austin Build + Connect (ABC) allows contractors and/or agents to pay for invoiced building permits using a credit card or electronic check (ACH). Log in to Austin Build + Connect, and sign in with your registered credentials. Once the site displays an invoiced building permit, click on the “pay now” button to continue to Chase Bank, a secure third-party payment site.

Customers who are not registered on AB+C will be required to create an account to use the service. Once you have completed the initial registration process, you will receive an e-mail with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) number and a link to complete the registration process. Once registered, you can view permits, schedule inspections, and make payments online.

To conduct business online, you will need to have the new internet registration account linked with your business accounts. Please call 3-1-1 to link your accounts. If you are outside the city limits, call 512-974-2000. Please have identifying information (account ID, etc.) for each account you need to link. The staff at the Service Center can also help you create and link up to six authorized Agents for your account.

Registered Users may use the Live Chat with a staff member between the hours of 7:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Monday - Friday. For questions, call 3-1-1.

Escrow Account

An Escrow Account can be established by depositing money in an account to pay for future permit and inspection fees. Additionally, once an account is established, contractors may issue themselves a trade permit, designate up to six (6) agents to conduct business on their behalf and use of their personal escrow account, and pay for permit and inspection fees online.

To set up an Escrow account, please visit the Service Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, 1st Floor.

Once the account is established, visit our online portal, Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) to pay for permit and inspection fees. You must be a registered user to use this service. For first time users, please visit Austin Build + Connect and click on Become a Registered User.

Please note the following requirements:

Escrow accounts must have sufficient funds in the account
The desired permit must be tied to an active building permit
If the escrow account balance drops to zero or below, a new account must be activated and a $55 activation fee will be assessed
In order to request a refund of an escrow account, submit a letter signed by the master escrow account holder (not the company).
In order to request a transfer between accounts, submit a letter signed by both master licensed holders (not the company).
Escrow Registration and Maintenance Fees (View DSD Permit Fees.)

E-Mail Services for current Escrow Account Holders

To obtain a trade permit or designate an agent, email the request to permitsubmittal@austintexas.gov with the applicable permit type form:

Please note, a trade permit will not be issued until the building permit is issued. Once the permit is issued, payment will be deducted from your escrow account. Your request form and permit number will be returned to you once the payment process has been completed.