Modified Operations: We Are Ready To Serve You.

Based on the Order by the City of Austin and Travis County to “Stay Home, Mask, and Otherwise Be Safe”, all in-person customer services remain suspended. Most of our services are still available by phone, video conference, email and our online portal, Austin Build + Connect (AB+C). For information on our modified services, please visit our DSD-COVID-19 page.

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A building permit is not required for the work described below; however, work exempt from a permit must still comply with applicable Building Codes, City Codes, and all other applicable ordinances.

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, such as a shed, that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m 2 ) of floor area, no more than 15 feet (4572 mm) in height, does not create a dwelling (such as an accessory dwelling unit), 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 (2438 mm) high.
     
  3. Unless supporting a surcharge or located within a flood hazard, a retaining wall that is not over 4 feet (1219 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 or driveway 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 (1372 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 m 2 ) 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 64 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. A foundation repair that does not exceed 64 square feet.
     
  14. A floor decking repair that does not exceed 64 square feet.
     
  15. A non-structural exterior deck repair that is limited to the existing deck boards and does not include guardrails or handrails.
     
  16. Repairing or replacing exterior trim components including wood fascia, trim, and soffits.
     
  17. Siding that does not exceed 64 square feet and is not part of a fire-resistance-rated assembly.
     
  18. Roof decking does not exceed 64 square feet.
     
  19. Replacing or installing an overhead garage door on a garage.
     
  20. 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 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 three or fewer supply and return duct runs.
     
  10. Replacing an exhaust or dryer duct run measuring less than 15 feet (4572 mm) in length.

Plumbing:

  1. Work required to stop a leak in a drain, soil, waste, or vent pipe if it is not necessary to remove and replace a defective concealed trap, drain, pipe, solid, waste, or vent pipe with a new device;
     
  2. Work required to clear a stoppage, including removing and reinstalling a water closet or to repair a leak in a pipe, valve, or fixture if the repair does not involve or require the valves, pipes, or drains be replaced or rearranged;
     
  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.

Electrical:

  1. Replacement of an approved cable or cord and plug connected motor or portable appliance;
     
  2. Replacement of components for approved equipment or for a fixed approved appliance of the same type and rating, in the same location;
     
  3. Temporary holiday decorative lighting;
     
  4. Replacement of a snap, single, three-way, four-way or dimmer switch, receptacle, ceiling paddle fan, or luminaire, when the maximum voltage is 480 and the maximum ampacity is 30;
     
  5. Reinstallation of 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. Replacement of an overcurrent protection device, or fuse of the same voltage and amperage, and in the same location, when the service will not be de-energized;
     
  7. Replacement of insulating material to a splice;
     
  8. Removal of electrical wiring;
     
  9. Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in a suitable experimental laboratory;
     
  10. The wiring for a temporary theater, motion picture, or television stage set;
     
  11. Installation or repair of 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;
     
  12. Installation or repair of a low-energy power, control and signal circuit of Class II and Class III as defined in the National Electrical Code; or
     
  13. The following activities, if performed in connection with the transmission of electrical energy: the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment; or the generation, transmission, distribution, or metering of electrical energy.
     

Commercial

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

Building:

  1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet (11 m²); provided they are not located within a flood hazard area.
     
  2. Fences not over 7 feet (2133.6 mm) high; provided they are not located within a flood hazard area.
     
  3. Oil derricks; provided they are not located within a flood hazard area.
     
  4. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids; provided they are not located within a flood hazard area.
     
  5. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1; provided they are not located within a flood hazard area.
     
  6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route; provided they are not located within a flood hazard area.
     
  7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
     
  8. Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery.
     
  9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that is less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons (18,925 L) and are installed entirely above ground; provided they are not located within a flood hazard area.
     
  10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems; provided they are not located within a flood hazard area.
     
  11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; provided they are not located within a flood hazard area.
     
  12. Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
     
  13. Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1,753 mm) in height.
     
  14. Repair to gypsum board that is not part of a fire-resistance-rated wall, a shear assembly, or part of a shower or water closet surround; provided it is limited to a maximum of 32 square feet.
     
  15. Emergency removal of water-damaged material such as, but not limited to gypsum board, insulation, wood paneling, etc., in order to avoid health hazard issues; a permit is required for the repairs.

Electrical:

  1. Replacement of an approved cable or cord and plug connected motor or portable appliance;
     
  2. Replacement of components for previously permitted and approved; equipment or fixed appliance, of the same type and rating, maintained within its original location;
     
  3. Temporary holiday decorative lighting;
     
  4. Replacement of a snap, single, three-way, four-way or dimmer switch, receptacle, ceiling paddle fan, or luminaire, when the maximum voltage is 480 and the maximum ampacity is 30;
     
  5. Reinstallation of 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. Replacement of an overcurrent protection device, or fuse of the same voltage and amperage, and in the same location, when the service will not be de-energized;
     
  7. Signs: The repair or replacement of an electrode or transformer of the same size and capacity for neon, argon, or other gas tube system;
     
  8. Replacement of insulating material to a splice;
     
  9. Removal of electrical wiring;
     
  10. Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in a suitable experimental laboratory;
     
  11. The wiring for a temporary theater, motion picture, or television stage set;
     
  12. Installation or repair of 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. Installation or repair of a low-energy power, control and signal circuit of Class II and Class III as defined in the National Electrical Code;
     
  14. The following activities, if performed in connection with the transmission of electrical energy: the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment; or the generation, transmission, distribution, or metering of electrical energy;
     
  15. The operation of signals or the transmission of intelligence by a public or private utility in the exercise of its function as a serving utility; or
     
  16. Buildings or structures which are owned and occupied by the State or Federal government, except for the electrical service.

Gas:

  1. Portable heating appliance.
     
  2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

Mechanical:

  1. Portable heating appliance.
     
  2. Portable ventilation equipment.
     
  3. Portable cooling unit.
     
  4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
     
  5. Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
     
  6. Portable evaporative cooler.
     
  7. Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (5 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
     
  8. Replacing a component part or assembling an appliance that does not alter the original approval and complies with other applicable requirements of the Mechanical Code.
     
  9. Refrigerating equipment that is part of equipment subject to a permit issued under the Mechanical Code.

Plumbing:

  1. Work required to stop a leak in a drain, soil, waste, or vent pipe if it is not necessary to remove and replace a defective concealed trap, drain, pipe, solid, waste, or vent pipe with a new device;
     
  2. Work required to clear a stoppage, including removing and reinstalling a water closet or to repair a leak in a pipe, valve, or fixture if the repair does not involve or require the valves, pipes, or drains be replaced or rearranged;
     
  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.