Fort Worth Building Permits & Inspections: Start Here
Quick answer: Fort Worth does not use a separate agency formally called the “Fort Worth Building Department.” Building permits, plan review, construction inspections, zoning coordination and many development services are handled through the City of Fort Worth Development Services Department.
If your property is inside Fort Worth city jurisdiction, start with Development Services before paying a contractor, ordering plans or beginning regulated work. Most permit applications, permit searches, payments and inspection requests can be handled through the City’s online systems.
This guide is designed to answer the practical questions people usually have: Do I need a permit? Where do I apply? What documents are needed? How much could it cost? How do I schedule an inspection? Which code applies? How do I find an existing permit?
2026 information reviewed November 3, 2026. Fort Worth changed Development Services fees effective October 1, 2026, and the 2026 National Electrical Code became effective September 1, 2026.
Fort Worth Development Services Contact Information
| Need | Fort Worth contact or service |
|---|---|
| Building permits and general permit help | Development Services Department — 817-392-2222 |
| In-person customer center | Fort Worth City Hall, 100 Fort Worth Trail, 5th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
| Regular customer-service hours | Monday–Friday, generally 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; check the City page before making a special trip. |
| Building Official | Rachel Parrish — 817-392-7800 |
| Inspection scheduling by phone | IVR — 817-392-6370 |
| Small-business / pre-development help | 817-392-1732 |
| Expedited X Team | 817-392-2305 |
Open the official Development Services page for current appointments, department contacts and service notices.
First Check: Is Fort Worth Actually Your Permit Authority?
A Fort Worth mailing address does not always answer every jurisdiction question by itself. Before preparing a permit package, confirm that the property is within the area handled by the City of Fort Worth and check its zoning, existing permits and property information.
- Open OneAddress. Use the City’s OneAddress search.
- Enter the complete street address. Choose the correct property from the result.
- Review city information. OneAddress can surface permit, code, flood-risk and other city data tied to the address.
- Check zoning before designing the project. A building permit does not override zoning rules for setbacks, use, height, parking or accessory structures.
- If the jurisdiction is unclear, call Development Services. Confirm responsibility before paying an application fee.
Do You Need a Fort Worth Building Permit?
Fort Worth’s current residential guidance says permits are required for new construction and for many projects that change, move or repair structural components or electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. Cosmetic work is treated differently.
| Project | Typical Fort Worth requirement | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| New house | Permit required | Plans, site information, energy compliance and other project documents may be required. |
| Home addition | Permit required | Zoning rules can affect placement, setbacks, height and allowed floor area. |
| Interior remodel | Often required | Moving or repairing walls/floors and drywall replacement totaling 16 sq. ft. or more in a wall or ceiling can trigger a building permit. |
| Cabinets, countertops, shelving, floor/wall coverings | Generally no building permit for cosmetic work | Electrical, plumbing or structural changes can still trigger separate permits. |
| Detached garage | Permit required | Location, height and size are also controlled by zoning. |
| Storage building / shed | Building permit required | Accessory-building zoning standards also apply. |
| Deck | Permit required when over 6 inches above grade | Placement must also satisfy applicable zoning rules. |
| Carport | Permit required | Fort Worth states that all carports, including fabric carports, require permits. Front-yard carports may need a zoning special exception. |
| Exterior windows or doors | Permit required | Replacement or addition of exterior windows and doors requires building review. |
| Foundation repair | Permit required | The City states engineered building plans are required for residential foundation repair/new foundation work. |
| Roof shingles only | Generally no building permit | Replacing decking, sheathing, rafters, ridge boards or similar structural roof material requires a permit. |
| Swimming pool | Permit required | Pool location, barriers and electrical requirements can apply. |
| Water heater or moved plumbing | Plumbing permit required | Changing, installing, moving or repairing regulated plumbing work requires the appropriate trade permit. |
| HVAC replacement or altered ductwork | Mechanical permit required | Mechanical equipment changes are separately permitted. |
| Electrical service changes | Electrical permit required | Electrical work can require its own trade permit even when a building permit also exists. |
| Driveway flatwork entirely on private property | Generally no building permit | Driveway approaches and sidewalk work affecting the right-of-way require parkway permits and a bonded contractor. |
For a project-specific check, use the City’s official residential permitting guide. Fort Worth also provides Permit Assist from its Development Services pages to help identify permits and zoning issues before you file.
How to Apply for a Fort Worth Building Permit Online
Fort Worth uses Accela Citizen Access (ACA) for online permitting. Permit Assist is integrated with Accela so project information entered during the planning stage can carry into the application process.
- Confirm the project and zoning first. Use the City’s permit and zoning tools to make sure the proposed work is allowed at the address. Fixing a zoning problem after plans are finished is much more frustrating than checking it first.
- Choose the correct permit type. Residential new construction, additions, remodels and accessory structures are not interchangeable applications. Commercial projects, certificates of occupancy, signs and trade permits also use separate record types.
- Prepare the required files. Gather plans, site plan, certified plat when required, energy documents, contractor details and project-specific forms before opening the application.
- Open Accela Citizen Access. Register for an account or sign in to an existing account.
- Select “Development” and apply for the correct record. Building applications include residential and commercial new construction, additions and remodels. Other tabs handle planning, street use, infrastructure, fire and other services.
- Enter the address, owner and project information carefully. Use the legal project address and match the scope of work to your drawings. Incomplete or inconsistent information can result in review comments.
- Upload the documents in the requested format. Make sure drawings are readable and correctly oriented. Fort Worth notes that paper plans submitted at City Hall must be 11-by-17 inches or smaller, but electronic submittal remains the normal route for many applications.
- Submit, monitor comments and pay only through verified City channels. Return to the same Accela record to review status, corrections and fees. Do not treat a saved or submitted application as an issued permit.
Documents to Have Ready Before You Submit
Requirements depend on the project. For residential new construction, additions, remodels, accessory structures and pools, Fort Worth publishes separate permit packets and checklists.
- Completed online permit application
- Complete construction plan set
- Site plan showing the proposed work
- Certified plat when required
- Project description and scope of work
- Energy-code compliance documentation when conditioned/heated space, lighting or other regulated work is involved
- Contractor information or qualifying homeowner/homestead information
- Urban forestry documentation when applicable
- Engineering documents for work that requires an engineer, such as certain foundation projects
- Pool, accessory-structure, grading, fire, historic or other specialty documents when applicable
Use the City’s Development Resources library to get current residential permit packets, checklists, grading documents, sign information, platting resources and other official forms.
Fort Worth Building Permit Fees in 2026
Fort Worth’s latest Development Services fee changes became effective October 1, 2026 under Ordinance No. 26-28781. That matters because estimates or screenshots created before October may show older amounts.
There is no single price for a Fort Worth building permit. Building fees can depend on square footage, occupancy/use group, number of trades, project type, review method and supplemental services. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits can be charged separately.
| 2026 fee item | Current published amount / method | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Permit application fee | $33.08 | Flat application charge under the current fee schedule. |
| Technology fee | $16.87 | Applicable under the City’s fee tables; verify how it is applied to your specific record. |
| Residential remodel minimum | $119 per trade | A two-trade remodel starts at $238 before applicable application/technology fees and other charges. |
| Reinspection | $66.15 | Can apply when another inspection is required because work was not ready or approved. |
| New residential construction / additions | Tiered by new square footage | Do not estimate by project value alone; Fort Worth uses square-foot tables for these residential categories. |
| Trade permits | Separate fee tables | Electrical, plumbing and mechanical items can add to the building permit total. |
Two useful residential fee examples
Under the current 2026 schedule, a 400-square-foot addition to an existing R-3 home falls within the City’s reduced parenthetical rate for additions up to 500 square feet. The building-permit calculation is $61.01 for the first 65 square feet plus $0.45 for each additional square foot. At 400 square feet, that equals $211.76; adding the $33.08 application fee and $16.87 technology fee produces $261.71 before any separate trade or project-specific charges.
For a 2,000-square-foot new R-use building, the current table produces a $1,171 building-permit amount, or $1,220.95 after the same two flat fees. Separate plan-review deposits, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, impact, utility or other charges can still apply.
Open the official October 2026 Development Services fee schedule.
How Long Does Fort Worth Permit Review Take?
The City’s published review-timeframe page currently lists a target of 7 business days for commercial building permits and 7 business days for residential building permits.
That is a published review timeframe, not a promise that every permit will be issued in seven days. A missing document, zoning issue, required revision, fire review, infrastructure review, historic review or another department’s approval can extend the process.
For the latest targets, check the official Fort Worth review-timeframes page.
How to Schedule a Fort Worth Building Inspection
A permit does not mean all inspections happen automatically. Fort Worth specifically notes that building and trade permits are separate, and the required inspections must be requested for the appropriate permit.
- Make sure the permit is issued. An inspection cannot solve an application that is still waiting for permit issuance.
- Finish the work for the exact inspection stage. Do not cover framing, wiring, piping, foundation elements or other work that must remain visible.
- Open your permit in Accela. Use the Development service to find the record and select the inspection function.
- Choose the correct inspection type. Fort Worth uses separate inspection types for building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work.
- Submit before the daily cutoff when same-day routing matters. The City currently states that inspection requests received before 6:30 a.m. are scheduled for that day. Requests at or after 6:30 a.m. move to the next business day.
- Use the IVR option if needed. Inspection scheduling is also available through 817-392-6370.
- Leave the approved work accessible. Have the approved plans and permit information available and make sure the inspector can reach the work safely.
Common Fort Worth inspection types
| Inspection | Fort Worth inspection code | Typical stage |
|---|---|---|
| Building Final | 100 | After building work and required related finals are complete. |
| Stakeout | 105 | Project layout/location stage when required. |
| Wall Sheathing | 108 | Before required sheathing is concealed. |
| Framing | 110 | After framing is ready and before concealment. |
| Foundation | 115 | Required foundation stage before work is covered or concrete placement when applicable. |
| Electrical Rough | 210 | Before wiring and boxes are concealed. |
| Mechanical Rough | 305 | Before regulated mechanical work is covered. |
| Plumbing Rough / Top-out | 410 | Before applicable plumbing systems are concealed. |
Fort Worth publishes individual inspection guidance sheets explaining what inspectors commonly look for. Use the official Inspections page before scheduling a stage you have not handled before.
How to Search a Fort Worth Permit or Check Permit Status
You have several useful City tools depending on what you are trying to find.
Option 1: Search Accela for an application or permit
- Open Accela Citizen Access.
- Select Development → Search Applications and Permits.
- Search using the available record information, such as permit number or property details.
- Open the matching record.
- Review status, record details and available project information.
Option 2: Search the property through OneAddress
Use OneAddress when you are starting with a street address rather than a permit number. It can connect the address to permits and other City information.
Option 3: Research issued permits or Certificates of Occupancy
The City provides separate issued-building-permit maps, permit tables, downloadable permit data and Certificate of Occupancy information through its Issued Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy page.
This is useful if you are buying property, researching an old remodel, checking whether a contractor actually pulled a permit, or trying to locate a prior Certificate of Occupancy.
Fort Worth Building Codes in Effect in 2026
Do not assume the newest edition of an international model code is automatically the Fort Worth code. The City adopts specific editions and local amendments.
| Code | Fort Worth edition currently listed |
|---|---|
| International Building Code | 2021 IBC with local amendments |
| International Residential Code | 2021 IRC with local amendments |
| International Mechanical Code | 2021 IMC with local amendments |
| International Plumbing Code | 2021 IPC with local amendments |
| International Fuel Gas Code | 2021 IFGC with local amendments |
| International Existing Building Code | 2021 IEBC with local amendments |
| Energy Conservation Code | 2015 IECC retained by Fort Worth |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code | 2018 ISPSC |
| Electrical Code | 2026 National Electrical Code, effective September 1, 2026 |
| Fire Code | 2021 International Fire Code with Fort Worth amendments |
Use the City’s Building & Energy Codes page for adopted-code notices and local amendment documents.
Contractor Registration and Homeowner Permits
Fort Worth requires businesses or individuals obtaining permits under its building, mechanical, plumbing or electrical provisions to have the appropriate contractor registration on file, subject to limited exceptions.
Examples include building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, sign and parkway registrations. State licenses are also required where Texas law applies—for example, the appropriate state license for electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning work.
Homestead exception: the City allows an owner of a single-family residence to perform qualifying work on the owner’s homestead property without ordinary building-contractor registration when the owner meets the City’s requirements. The property must be owned and occupied by the owner as the primary residence, with homestead status used to demonstrate eligibility.
Check Fort Worth contractor registration requirements before filing under an owner-builder or contractor account.
Certificate of Occupancy for Fort Worth Businesses
A Certificate of Occupancy, often called a CO, is important when a building or tenant space will be used or occupied for a business or another regulated occupancy.
Fort Worth states that a building or structure generally cannot be used or occupied, and an occupancy classification cannot be changed, until the Building Official has issued the required Certificate of Occupancy. One- and two-family dwellings and qualifying townhouses regulated by the IRC generally do not receive the same CO used for commercial occupancies.
For an existing commercial space
- Confirm the proposed business use is allowed by zoning.
- Check whether the proposed use matches the space’s prior approved occupancy.
- Open Accela Citizen Access.
- Under Building/Development records, use the appropriate occupancy application, such as an Existing Ordinance or Change of Use record when applicable.
- Provide the previous use, proposed use, owner/property details and other requested information.
- Complete required building, fire and other inspections.
- Do not open for occupancy until the required approvals and CO are issued.
For commercial projects with construction costs of $50,000 or more, Fort Worth also directs applicants to consider Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation architectural-barrier registration requirements. Accessibility obligations should be checked early rather than after construction is complete.
Need Help? Fort Worth Has Faster Assistance Options
Free Walk-In Permit Assistance Team
Fort Worth operates a free Walk-In Permit Assistance Team at the Development Services Customer Center on the fifth floor of City Hall. It can provide same-day processing assistance for qualifying small projects.
The current program can include qualifying commercial occupancy/remodel projects in existing buildings under 6,000 square feet and residential accessory/remodel work such as sheds, patio covers, certain fences, pools, fire repair and regulated re-roof work.
Check Walk-In Permit Team eligibility before going to City Hall.
Pre-Development Conference
A Pre-Development Conference is useful for larger or complicated projects where zoning, fire, transportation, stormwater, platting, water, urban forestry or several departments could affect the design. Fort Worth says a PDC is not mandatory before filing.
For ordinary remodels, a change of use, Certificate of Occupancy questions, small single-family developments and some ETJ matters, the City may be able to provide assistance without a full pre-development conference.
X Team expedited review
The City’s X Team provides expedited plan-review service for projects that need a faster review path. This is a paid service and is more commonly useful for larger or time-sensitive projects. Call 817-392-2305 for current eligibility and pricing.
Common Fort Worth Permit Mistakes to Avoid
- Designing before checking zoning. A structure can meet building-code requirements and still violate a setback, height or land-use rule.
- Using an old fee schedule. Fort Worth’s Development Services fee changes took effect October 1, 2026.
- Assuming the building permit includes trades. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits can be separate.
- Beginning work because an application was submitted. Submitted and issued are different statuses.
- Covering work before inspection. Keep regulated framing, wiring, plumbing and other work visible until approved.
- Ignoring the Certificate of Occupancy. Business owners should verify zoning and occupancy before signing a lease or spending heavily on improvements.
- Trusting a payment email without checking Accela. Fort Worth has an active warning about fraudulent permit-payment requests.
- Assuming a Fort Worth mailing address settles jurisdiction. Check the property itself before filing.
Related Texas Permit Guides
Permit systems are local, so Fort Worth rules should not be applied to another Texas jurisdiction. If your project or property research extends elsewhere, see our Dallas County building permit guide for unincorporated Dallas County procedures or the Austin Building Department guide for Austin’s separate permitting system.
Fort Worth Building Department FAQs
1. Who handles building permits in Fort Worth?
The City of Fort Worth Development Services Department handles building permits, plan review, construction inspections and related development services. The main customer-service number is 817-392-2222, and the customer center is at City Hall, 100 Fort Worth Trail.
2. Can I apply for a Fort Worth building permit online?
Yes. Fort Worth uses Accela Citizen Access for online permit applications. Start by confirming the correct permit type and zoning, prepare the required plans and documents, then create or sign in to your Accela account and submit the appropriate Development record.
3. Do I need a permit to remodel my house in Fort Worth?
It depends on the work. Cosmetic changes such as cabinets, countertops, shelving and ordinary wall or floor coverings generally do not require a building permit by themselves. Structural changes, moving walls, substantial drywall work and electrical, plumbing or mechanical alterations can require building or trade permits.
4. Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Fort Worth?
Shingle-only work generally does not require a building permit. A permit is required when the project replaces regulated structural roof components such as decking, sheathing, rafters or ridge boards. Check the City’s current roofing guidance for your exact scope.
5. Does Fort Worth require a permit for a fence?
Fence rules depend on height, design and location. Fort Worth also restricts front-yard fencing and may require additional approval in historic districts. Because zoning restrictions can apply even when a building permit is not needed for a particular fence height, check the address and fence proposal before installation.
6. How do I schedule a Fort Worth building inspection?
You can request inspections through the City’s online permitting system or the IVR line at 817-392-6370. The City currently states that requests received before 6:30 a.m. are scheduled for that day, while requests at or after 6:30 a.m. are scheduled for the next business day.
7. How much does a Fort Worth building permit cost in 2026?
There is no single flat price. Fort Worth’s current fee schedule became effective October 1, 2026. Residential new construction and additions use square-footage tables, remodel minimums can depend on the number of trades, and electrical, plumbing, mechanical, impact and other fees may be separate. Verify the final amount in Accela before paying.
8. Can a Fort Worth homeowner pull their own building permit?
A qualifying owner of a single-family homestead may be able to obtain permits for work on the home they own and occupy without ordinary building-contractor registration. The City’s homestead requirements still apply, and licensed trades may be required for work regulated by Texas licensing laws.
9. Does a Fort Worth business need a Certificate of Occupancy?
Generally, a regulated building or commercial space may not be occupied or undergo a change in occupancy classification until the required Certificate of Occupancy has been issued. Confirm zoning and CO requirements before signing a commercial lease or opening the business.
10. How can I search for an existing Fort Worth building permit?
Use Accela Citizen Access to search Development applications and permits. If you only have a street address, OneAddress is also useful. Fort Worth separately publishes issued-building-permit maps, permit tables, data downloads and Certificate of Occupancy information.
Before You Start Work
- Verify the property and Fort Worth jurisdiction.
- Check zoning and project eligibility.
- Identify the building and trade permits required.
- Download the current project checklist or packet.
- Prepare complete plans and supporting documents.
- Apply through Accela.
- Review the actual fee inside the official account before paying.
- Wait until the permit is issued before beginning regulated work.
- Schedule each required inspection before covering the work.
- Obtain the final approvals or Certificate of Occupancy when required.
Fort Worth’s permit system is easier when you treat zoning, permits and inspections as one sequence instead of three separate problems. Use this guide to prepare everything you can in advance, then use the official City portal for the property-specific decision, current fee, permit issuance and inspection result.
Independent information notice: USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the City of Fort Worth. Permit requirements can change based on property, project scope, zoning, adopted-code amendments and subsequent City ordinances. The City of Fort Worth remains the final authority for permit issuance and inspection approval.