Amarillo Building Permits & Inspections: Where to Start
The City of Amarillo Building Safety Department handles building permits, construction plan reviews, contractor registration and building inspections for projects within Amarillo city limits in Texas.
Applications are handled electronically through My Government Online (MGO Connect). Homeowners and contractors can use the portal to apply for permits, upload documents and track applications.
Building Safety Office: Contact & Hours
| Department | City of Amarillo Building Safety |
|---|---|
| Office address | Simms Municipal Building, 808 S Buchanan Street, Suite 104, Amarillo, TX 79101 |
| Telephone | 806-378-3041 |
| building@amarillo.gov | |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Central Time |
| Fax | 806-378-3085 |
| Online permitting | MGO Connect |
| MGO technical support | 866-957-3764, option 1 |
| Jurisdiction | Properties within Amarillo city limits, including applicable portions of Potter and Randall counties |
Contact and office information checked against the City of Amarillo’s official Building Safety website in October 2026. Holiday schedules and service arrangements may change.
Which Projects Need a Building Permit?
New construction, additions, structural alterations, demolition, re-roofing and regulated electrical, plumbing or mechanical work generally require permits. The requirements depend on the project and applicable local codes.
Residential Projects
- New houses and major additions
- Structural remodeling
- Roof replacement
- Electrical, plumbing and HVAC installations
- Swimming pools and required safety barriers
- Solar installations
Commercial Projects
- New commercial buildings
- Tenant improvements and remodeling
- Changes in occupancy or building use
- Commercial roofing
- Mechanical and electrical work
- Work requiring fire-safety review
Projects That May Be Permit-Exempt
Amarillo publishes specific exemptions. These examples are useful, but exemptions do not remove zoning, safety or other code obligations.
| Project | Published city guidance |
|---|---|
| Small detached shed | A one-story detached storage shed, playhouse or similar accessory structure up to 200 square feet is listed as permit-exempt. |
| Residential fence | Most residential fences 8 feet tall or less are permit-exempt, subject to applicable height, setback and zoning rules. |
| Pool or spa barrier | A permit is required for construction, alteration or repair of a mandatory pool or spa enclosure, regardless of fence height. |
| Minor electrical work | Certain minor repairs and replacements qualify for exemptions; new wiring or altered circuits should not be assumed exempt. |
| Emergency repairs | For qualifying emergency equipment repairs or replacements, the city directs applicants to submit the permit application by the next business day. |
| Roof replacement | A roofing permit is required under the city’s published roofing guidance. |
Before starting work, check the official permit exemption rules or call 806-378-3041.
How to Apply for a Building Permit Online
Amarillo uses MGO Connect for residential and commercial permits. Follow this process to reduce incomplete submissions and avoid unnecessary review delays.
- Confirm the property and permit type. Check that the project is within Amarillo’s permitting jurisdiction. Identify whether you need a building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing or other permit.
- Set up your applicant credentials. Visit Amarillo’s official MGO information page, select Access MGO Connect and create an account. Homeowners should complete the homeowner registration process; contractors should complete the applicable professional registration first.
- Prepare the plans and supporting documents. Gather the project address, scope of work, site plan, construction drawings and required contractor documents. For plan submissions, Amarillo generally instructs applicants to package individual plan PDFs in a ZIP file, with limited exceptions. Incomplete plans or expired credentials can result in rejection.
- Start the correct application. Sign in to MGO Connect, select the appropriate Amarillo jurisdiction and available permit application, enter the project details and attach the required documents.
- Submit, review and pay. Submit the application and monitor MGO for review comments, corrections and fee invoices. Respond to outstanding requirements and pay assessed charges through the authorized process.
- Receive approval and arrange inspections. Do not begin regulated work until the required permit has been issued or specific authorization has been granted. Keep approved plans available at the construction site and request inspections at the required construction stages.
What Should You Prepare Before Applying?
The required documents vary by project, but this checklist covers the most common preparation tasks:
- Property details: Street address, owner information and an accurate project location.
- Project scope: A clear description of what will be built, removed or altered.
- Drawings: Site plans, floor plans and construction details appropriate to the work.
- Technical documents: Structural calculations, energy documents, surveys or engineered plans when applicable.
- Contractor credentials: Applicable licensing, registration, bonds and insurance information.
- Other approvals: Required zoning, site-plan, fire or development approvals for projects that need them.
For a new commercial development, separate site-plan approval may be needed before the building permit can be issued. Coordinate with the city’s Development Liaison when multiple departments are involved.
Amarillo Building Permit Fees
The city’s published fee schedule includes flat-rate permits and fees calculated using project size or construction value. The following figures reflect the official fee schedule reviewed in October 2026.
| Permit or service | Published fee |
|---|---|
| Technology fee | $13 per permit |
| Stand-alone electrical permit | $68 |
| Stand-alone plumbing permit | $68 |
| Stand-alone mechanical permit | $68 |
| Residential roofing | $173 |
| Solar permit | $216 |
| Residential swimming pool | $303 |
| Residential plan-review/application fee | $81 |
| New residential building permit | $0.50 per square foot |
| Residential remodel/addition | $0.32 per square foot; $135 minimum |
| Reinspection | $68 |
| After-hours/same-day inspection | $216 minimum, based on a two-hour minimum at $108/hour |
Figures are published base fees, not guaranteed final invoices. Additional fees, plan reviews, surcharges or project-specific calculations may apply. Commercial construction permit pricing can depend on building valuation and the city’s valuation schedule.
For an accurate amount: Use the official Building Safety fee schedule, then confirm your project’s assessed fees through MGO or the department before paying.
Building Inspections: Scheduling & Final Approval
The city states that normal inspections are scheduled for the next business day, rather than automatically being available on the same day a request is made.
How to Request an Inspection
- Confirm that the required permit has been issued and the work is ready for the inspection stage.
- Have the permit number, project address, inspection type and a contact telephone number ready.
- Use the applicable inspection-request functions or assistance available through MGO Connect. If the scheduling method is unclear, call Building Safety at 806-378-3041.
- Keep approved plans available and ensure the inspector can safely access the work.
- Review the inspection outcome and correct any deficiencies before requesting a reinspection.
Common inspections may include foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and final inspections, depending on the approved scope. Amarillo’s residential guidance also identifies specific masonry inspection requirements before veneer installation.
Urgent utility reconnection: For an occupied home needing gas or electricity restored, contact Building Safety about possible after-hours inspection arrangements. Extra fees apply, and availability is not guaranteed.
Certificates of Occupancy
The city says certificates of occupancy are issued upon completion of the permit process for new residential and commercial buildings. A separate certificate-of-occupancy application may be necessary when a building changes use or has no previously issued certificate.
For commercial remodeling or additions, a remodel/repair permit and associated final approvals may be required instead of a certificate-only application. Food establishments and certain other commercial uses can require additional fire or environmental health inspections.
Review Amarillo’s certificate-of-occupancy requirements ↗
Building Codes & Local Requirements
Amarillo’s published residential guidance references the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), with city amendments. The city also maintains separate commercial building-code guidance.
Residential plans should address applicable requirements for structural safety, approved site plans, electrical and mechanical work, plumbing, energy provisions and required inspections. Commercial projects may have additional accessibility, fire-protection, occupancy and means-of-egress requirements.
The precise governing code and amendments depend on the project and any subsequent local adoption. Confirm the applicable edition with Building Safety rather than assuming that the latest published model-code edition is automatically enforceable in Amarillo.
- Residential code and inspection guidance
- Commercial code and inspection guidance
- Fire Marshal construction permits and inspections
Other Useful Amarillo Building Services
Address Assignment
For a new address within Amarillo or its applicable one-mile ETJ, the city provides an address-request form. Applicants may need a site drawing, legal property description, lot dimensions and access information.
Contractor Registration
Contractors apply through MGO Connect. Requirements vary by trade and can involve state licensing, city registration, surety bonds or liability insurance. Registration approval may be required before permit applications.
Permit Records
The city publishes building-permit and monthly construction reports. Reports can help identify permitted projects but do not necessarily provide every inspection detail or the complete permit file.
Roofing Requirements
The city’s roofing guidance covers permit requirements, permit-number display, drip edges, ventilation and related inspection considerations.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the Amarillo Building Department located?
City of Amarillo Building Safety is located in the Simms Municipal Building at 808 S Buchanan Street, Suite 104, Amarillo, TX 79101. Published office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2. How do I apply for a building permit in Amarillo?
Apply through MGO Connect at mgoconnect.org. Create an account, complete the required homeowner or contractor registration, select the applicable permit, upload your documents and submit the application for review.
3. Can homeowners obtain their own building permits?
Yes. Amarillo allows homeowners to apply for permits for residences listed as their homestead exemption with the Potter or Randall appraisal district. Contact Building Safety if your ownership or property status needs clarification.
4. How much does a building permit cost in Amarillo?
Fees depend on the project. The published schedule lists $68 for stand-alone electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits, plus a $13 technology fee applicable to permits. Building construction fees may depend on floor area or project valuation.
5. How quickly can I get a building inspection?
Amarillo generally schedules inspections for the next business day. For urgent gas or electrical reconnection at an occupied residence, call 806-378-3041 to ask about after-hours arrangements and additional fees.
6. Do I need a permit for a 200-square-foot shed?
The city lists one-story detached storage sheds, playhouses and similar accessory structures with floor areas not exceeding 200 square feet as permit-exempt. Zoning, placement and other applicable rules still apply.
7. Does Amarillo require permits for residential fences?
Most residential fences 8 feet tall or less are exempt from building permits, but zoning and height restrictions still apply. Mandatory swimming pool or spa barriers require permits regardless of height.
8. Is a roofing permit required in Amarillo?
Yes. Amarillo’s roofing guidance states that roofing projects require permits. Contractors and homeowners should confirm the permit, registration and inspection requirements before starting roof replacement.
9. Which building codes apply in Amarillo?
Amarillo’s published residential guidance references the 2021 International Residential Code with city amendments. Commercial and trade-specific requirements should be checked against the city’s applicable adopted codes and ordinances.
10. When is a Certificate of Occupancy required?
Amarillo issues certificates of occupancy when new-building permits are completed. A separate certificate may be needed for a change of use or where no certificate was previously issued. Remodeling work may require a separate permit and final inspections.
Official Sources & Verification
The following City of Amarillo resources support the procedures, fees and requirements explained above.
- Building Safety Department — contact details, permits and general FAQs
- MGO Permitting — electronic applications, licensing and support
- Plan Submittal Instructions — official PDF
- Building Safety Fees — official published schedule
- Permit Exemptions — projects not requiring certain permits
- Certificate of Occupancy — application and inspection details
Information reviewed: October 8, 2026. This independently prepared guide is not an official City of Amarillo government website. Permit rules, fees and procedures can change. The administering authority makes final decisions concerning individual projects.