Contractor Registration

Before beginning any construction associated with a building permit and trade permit(s), trade contractors, general contractors, and homeowners acting as contractors must register as a Contractor with Building and Trade Contractor Services. Once the Contractor is registered, they can be assigned to the applicable permit and can begin construction and inspections.

In-person registration is available for building and trade contractors. License registration renewals and insurance updates for existing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and irrigation registrations are also available in person. For trade contractor registration, the contractor must be present in person and bring a valid state-issued identification card, trade contractor license, and/or master license. 

What you will find on this page: 

• Contractor Responsibilities
• New General Contractor Registration
• New Trade Contractor Registration
• Update Existing Contractor Registration Information and Licenses
• Appointments & Live Chat

Contractor Responsibilities

All contractors must submit a Letter of Authorization for any changes to contact information, company ownership, agent changes, or license and insurance status.

The General Contractor (GC) assigned to the Building Permit is responsible for the following:

• Requesting and activating the Building Permit
• Making payments for the Building Permit
• Performing work as approved by the Building Permit Application
• Scheduling any related inspections, including the Final Building Permit Inspection
• Obtaining the Certificate of Occupancy (CO), if applicable, or a Certificate of Completion (CC)
• Management of the child trade permits, if applicable

Additionally, once the General Contractor is registered with Building and Trade Contractor Services (BTCS), they can Activate a Building Permit approved by Commercial or Residential Plan Review or Apply for a Stand-Alone Permit.

A Trade Contractor or Homeowner acting as a Trade Contractor assigned to the Trade Permit (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Permit) is responsible for the following:

• Requesting and activating the applicable trade permit(s) (i.e. mechanical, electrical, plumbing)
• Making payments for the trade permit(s)
• Performing all work associated with the trade permit(s)
• Scheduling any related inspections, including the Final Trade Inspections
• Updating City registration whenever the State license is updated

Additionally, once a Licensed Professional Trade Contractor is registered with Building and Trade Contractor Services (BTCS), they can Activate a Related Trade Permit approved by Commercial or Residential Plan Review or Apply for a Stand-Alone Permit.

New General Contractor Registration

A General Contractor (GC) is the responsible individual assigned to a Building Permit. In Texas, anyone can be a General Contractor, including homeowners, and a state license is not required. Please visit the Contractor Responsibilities section to learn more about the GC responsibilities.

To apply for or activate a Building Permit, a General Contractor must first have an Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) Portal account and then register before being assigned to the Building Permit. 

AB+C Portal

The general contractor listed on the permit must have an AB+C Portal account. If you do not have an AB+C account, please register for an AB+C Portal account as a first-time user. If you need help, please call Austin 3-1-1, 512-974-2000, or  refer to the AB+C Manual.

Please make a note of the Austin Build + Connect ID for this account. You can find your AB+C ID by logging into the AB+C Portal and navigating to "My Profile." 

Register

Step 1: Submit the Registration Information Using the Web Form

Complete the information and upload the required Letter of Authorization (PDF) in the web form. General Contractors only need to register once with the City of Austin and are not required to update their registration unless they update their name, address, and/or agents. If updates are required, please see the Update Contractor Registration Information & Licenses section.

After registering, we will provide you with a Contractor/Homeowner PIN number to use for future building permit activation and requests.
 

Submit GC Registration
 

Once you submit the registration, you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission, including the approximate wait time.

Please do not resubmit a form, as this will create delays.

Step 2: Activate a Pending Building Permit or Apply for a Stand-Alone Building Permit

Once the General Contractor registration is completed by Building and Trade Contractor Services (BTCS), they can:

• Activate a Building Permit that Commercial or Residential Plan Review has approved
• Apply for a Stand-Alone Permit

Once the General Contractor is assigned to a Building Permit, they can:

• Pay for the permit and associated fees
• Perform the work for the Active permit
• Schedule inspections for the Active permit
• Modify the Permit

Step 3: Contractor Updates or Changes

General Contractors are not required to update their registration annually since a license is not required. However, to update any changes to your contractor registration, see the Update Contractor Registration Information & Licenses section.

New Trade Contractor Registration (Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing)

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Trade Contractors are the individuals responsible for the associated Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing Permit. In the State of Texas, a license and registration are required for each type of trade with the applicable board or State department, along with the City of Austin’s Building and Trade Contractor Services. Please see the Contractor Responsibilities section to learn more about trade contractors’ responsibilities.

To apply for or activate a Trade Permit, a trade contractor must first have an Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) Portal account, then register before being assigned to the associated trade permit.

To register as a professional trade contractor, complete the following steps. This information must be updated with the City whenever you update it with the State.

• If you are a homeowner acting as a trade contractor and need to register, visit the Apply or Activate a Trade Permit as a Homeowner webpage.
• If you need to register as a right-of-way contractor for a driveway/sidewalk or excavation permit, visit the Transportation and Public Works Right-of-Way Contractor webpage

AB+C Portal

The general contractor listed on the permit must have an AB+C Portal account. If you do not have an AB+C account, please register for an AB+C Portal account here as a first-time user. If you need help, please call Austin 3-1-1, 512-974-2000, or refer to the AB+C Manual.

Please note the Austin Build + Connect ID for this account. You can find your AB+C ID by logging into the AB+C Portal and navigating to "My Profile."

Register

Step 1: Submit the Registration Information Using the Web Form

Submit the required information and documentation through the following web form. Additional information may be required depending on the specific trade registration. Minimum requirements include:

• A completed Letter of Authorization (PDF)
• Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) ID

Professional Trade Contractors must register once with the City of Austin and update their registration annually. When updates are required, please see the Update Contractor Registration Information & Licenses section.

After registering, we will provide you with a Contractor PIN number to use for future trade permit activation and requests.
 

Submit MEP Registration

Once you submit the registration, you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission, including the approximate wait time.

Please do not resubmit a form, as this will create delays.

Step 2: Activate a Pending Trade Permit or Apply for a Stand-Alone Trade Permit

Once the Trade Contractor registration is completed by the Building and Trade Contractor Services (BTCS), they can:

• Activate a Related Trade Permit that Commercial or Residential Plan Review has approved
• Apply for a Stand-Alone Permit

Once the Trade Contractor is assigned to a Trade Permit, they can:

• Pay for the permit and associated fees
• Perform the work for the Active permit
• Schedule inspections for the Active permit
• Modify the Existing Permit

Step 3: Annual Updates or Contractor Changes

Trade Contractors must update their contractor registration annually with their trade license information. To update your trade contractor registration with the required information, see the Update Contractor Registration Information & Licenses section.

Update Existing Contractor Registration Information & Licenses

Keep your contractor registration information and licenses up to date. Please use the Update Contractor Registration web form to update the following:

• Change license holder for a company
• Update trade license
• Link a new AB+C account to an existing registration
• Update registration information (name, address, agents)
   

Update Contractor Registration

To modify the registered contractor assigned to a permit, visit the Modify a Permit webpage.

Appointments & Live Chat

Make an Appointment

Appointments are available with Building and Trade Contractor Services for general questions about contractor registration, stand-alone permits, and activating permits for commercial and residential properties not related to plan review.

Live Chat

Click the blue chat bubble in the lower-right corner of the Building and Trade Contractor Services webpage to chat with an agent regarding the following requests. Visit the Contact Austin Development Services webpage to view chat hours.

• Answer general questions. Depending on the question, we may recommend an appointment.
• Update a registered trade license (not for a change in contractors)

Related Links

Building and Trade Contractor Services