Work Exempt from Building Permits

Residential

The following work exemptions apply to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories:

Building

1. A one-story detached accessory structure that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m2 ) of floor area, no more than 15 feet (4,572 mm) in height, does not create a dwelling, contains no plumbing, and is not located within a flood hazard area.  
    
2. Unless located within a flood hazard area, a fence that is not over 8 feet (2,438 mm) high.  
    
3. Unless supporting a surcharge or located within a flood hazard, a retaining wall that is not over 4 feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.  
    
4. A water tank that is supported directly upon grade if the tank's capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1, and the tank is not located within a flood hazard area.  
    
5. A sidewalk, driveway, or concrete flatwork that is not located in the public right-of-way.  
    
6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar work.  
    
7. A swimming pool that is prefabricated and less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.  
    
8. Playground equipment, including a swing.  
    
9. A window awning that does not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall, and the only required support is the exterior wall.  
    
10. A deck that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m2 ) in area, is no more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling, does not provide egress from the dwelling, and is not located within a flood hazard area.  
     
11. A gypsum board repair that does not exceed 128 square feet, is not part of a fire-resistance-rated construction assembly, a shear-wall assembly, or a tub and shower surround.  
     
12. Asphalt shingles that replace existing asphalt shingles.  
     
13. Replacement of any roof covering that does not adversely affect the roof structure.  
     
14. A foundation repair that does not exceed 128 square feet.  
     
15. A floor decking repair that does not exceed 128 square feet.  
     
16. A non-structural exterior deck repair that is limited to the existing deck boards and does not include guardrails or handrails.  
     
17. Repairing or replacing exterior trim components including wood fascia, trim, and soffits. 
     
18. Siding that does not exceed 128 square feet and is not part of a fire-resistance-rated assembly.  
     
19. Roof decking that does not exceed 128 square feet.  
     
20. Replacing or installing an overhead garage door on a garage.  
     
21. Replacing doors of the same size and operation.  
     
22. Other work as determined by the building official.  

Mechanical

1. A portable heating appliance. 
    
2. A portable ventilation appliance. 
    
3. A portable cooling unit. 
    
4. Steam, hot- or chilled-water pipe within heating or cooling equipment regulated by the Residential Code. 
    
5. Replacing a minor part of the equipment that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe. 
    
6. A portable evaporative cooler. 
    
7. A self-contained refrigeration system that contains 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that is actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less. 
    
8. A portable fuel cell appliance that is not connected to a fixed pipe system and is not interconnected to a power grid. 
    
9. Replacing supply and return duct runs. 
    
10. Replacing an exhaust or dryer duct run measuring less than 15 feet (4,572 mm) in length. 
     
11. Increase the number of supply registers within the existing duct run. 
     
12. Other work as determined by the building official. 

Plumbing

1. To stop leaks in drains, soil, waste, or vent pipes, except when a trap, drain pipe, soil, waste, or vent becomes defective and it is necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, a permit shall be procured and inspection made as provided in this code.
    
2. To clear stoppages, including the removal and reinstallation of water closets, or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures if the work does not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.
    
3. Work required to repair or replace fixtures and to replace exposed traps, continuous waste piping, fixture supply valves, or faucets if the work does not involve other city departments or inspections from other trades.
    
4. Other work as determined by the building official.

Exemption from the permit requirements of this code does not authorize work to be done in violation of other provisions of the City Code or City requirements.

For purposes of Section 104.2, a new installation or replacement of a shower, tub, or combination tub and shower is not exempt from the permit requirements of this code.

Electrical

1. To replace an approved cable or cord and plug connected to a motor or portable appliance; 
    
2. To replace components of approved equipment or a fixed approved appliance of the same type and rating in the same location; 
    
3. To install temporary holiday decorative lighting; 
    
4. When the maximum voltage is 480 and the maximum ampacity is 30, to replace a snap, single, three-way, or four-way or dimmer switch, receptacle, ceiling paddle fan, or luminaire; 
    
5. To reinstall a receptacle with a ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacle, a tamper-resistance receptacle, an arc-fault circuit interrupter receptacle, or a weather-resistance receptacle; 
    
6. When the service will not be de-energized, to replace an overcurrent protection device or fuse of the same voltage and amperage and in the same location; 
    
7. To repair or replace an electrode or transformer of the same size and capacity for a sign or gas tube system; 
    
8. To replace insulating material to a splice; 
    
9. To remove electrical and communication wiring; 
    
10. To install temporary wiring for experimental purposes in a suitable experimental laboratory; 
     
11. To install wiring for a temporary theater, motion picture, or television stage set; 
     
12. To install or repair an electrical device, appliance, apparatus, equipment, or electrical wiring operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy; 
     
13. To install or repair a low-energy power, control and signal circuit of Class II or Class III as defined in the 2020 Electrical Code; 
     
14. For the following activities, if performed in connection with the transmission of electrical energy: to install, alter, or repair electrical wiring, apparatus, equipment, or the generation, transmission, distribution, or metering of electrical energy; 
     
15. To operate signals or to transmit intelligence by a public or private utility in the exercise of its function as a serving utility; or 
     
16. Except for activities related to electrical service, for electrical work in a building or structure owned and occupied by the State of Texas or the federal government.

Residential Code References

Title 25 - Land Development Code
Chapter 25-12-Technical Codes

Residential:
Article 11-Residential Code

Electrical:
Article 4-Electrical Code

Plumbing:
Article 6-Plumbing Code

Commercial

This applies to Commercial Projects, including those with Residential occupancies not covered by the Residential Code.