Austin, Texas Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Which building permits does Austin issue?

Austin Development Services reviews residential and commercial construction, alterations, and trade work. The required permit depends on the property, construction scope, zoning, and applicable building codes.

For the correct submission channel, use the City’s Types of Permits directory. Not all applications are accepted directly through AB+C.

Do you need a building permit?

Many structural changes, new buildings, additions, demolitions, and regulated trade installations require permits. Austin also exempts certain minor projects when they meet specific conditions.

Check your project: Open the City’s Do I Need a Permit? tool, answer the project questions, and review the recommended next step. The interactive guide normally takes about five minutes.

How to apply for a building permit in Austin

The following process covers the main residential permitting workflow. Commercial projects and specialized permits may require different applications and additional agency reviews.

1. Confirm your property’s jurisdiction and permit requirements. Check your address, zoning, and applicable restrictions through the Property Profile and the City’s permit-requirement guide.
2. Choose the correct application. Visit Residential Plan Review for home construction or Commercial Plan Review for commercial or qualifying multifamily projects.
3. Prepare the required documents. Gather the applicable application form, property information, construction plans, plot plan or survey, elevations, and any required trade or supporting documents. The exact package depends on the project. Use the City’s published checklists.
4. Submit the application using the authorized method. Follow the web form or portal instructions shown on the relevant City service page. Create an AB+C account to manage applicable permits, invoices, and inspections.
5. Complete plan review and activate the approved permit. Pay review invoices, address any Master Comment Report corrections, and wait for approval. An authorized registered contractor or eligible homeowner must pay and activate the approved permit before regulated construction begins.
6. Schedule required construction inspections. After the permit is Active, use AB+C’s “My Inspections” section to request the applicable inspection. Keep approved plans and required documents available at the job site.
7. Complete final inspections and close out the project. Correct outstanding deficiencies, obtain final approvals, and secure a Certificate of Occupancy or Completion when applicable.

How to check Austin permit status and records

The AB+C Public Search function allows anyone to look up permits and development cases without creating an account.

For a step-by-step records walkthrough, see our Austin building permit search guide. Before preparing plans, review our guide to Austin building codes and local amendments.

1. Open the official AB+C Portal.
2. Select Public Search.
3. Search using your permit or plan-review number, or use the property-search fields and the appropriate date range.
4. Open the matching permit or case to review available status, history, inspections, and related documents.
5. For an approved plan set, check the applicable record’s Folder Attachment area where available.

Common statuses include applications under review, requests for corrections, approved permits pending activation, Active permits, and completed or expired records. Exact labels vary by case.

If older files or approved drawings are unavailable online, use the City’s Records and Research service. Some archived records require a public information request and retrieval charges.

Austin building inspections: Scheduling and requirements

Austin inspectors check construction at required stages, including applicable foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and final inspections. The inspection sequence depends on the approved project.

Schedule online through AB+C

1. Log in to the AB+C Portal using an account linked to the permit.
2. Verify the permit has Active status and all necessary fees have been paid.
3. Open My Inspections and find the permit.
4. Select the checkbox next to the permit and choose the required inspection.
5. Click Schedule Inspection, select an available date, enter relevant access comments, and submit.

Schedule by telephone

To use the City’s automated IVR inspection line, first obtain an IVR PIN by completing the City’s Inspection Agent Letter of Authorization and Request for IVR PIN Number and emailing it to building.inspections@austintexas.gov. Then call 512-974-9405 with your PIN, 10-digit permit number, and 3-digit inspection code.

Official instructions: Schedule a Building Inspection.

For inspection problems, cancellations, or emergency-inspection questions, contact building.inspections@austintexas.gov. The City publishes separate instructions for emergency repairs and one-time inspections.

2026 permit fees and processing times

Austin’s FY 2026–27 Development Services fee schedules became effective October 1, 2026. The amount payable depends on project type, size, review disciplines, permit requirements, and related inspections.

Payment detail: As published for FY 2026–27, AB+C credit card payments carry a 2.35% service fee ($2 minimum). Online checking-account payments are fee-free, although a $30 ACH return fee applies for insufficient funds. Other payment methods are available through City cashier services.

Published residential review timelines

These are the City’s published residential review timelines effective July 1, 2026—not guaranteed total permit issuance times. Review begins after an application is accepted and applicable invoices are paid. Corrections, additional review disciplines, or missing documents may extend the overall process. Commercial review times differ.

Austin building codes in effect in 2026

The City of Austin uses technical building codes adopted under Chapter 25-12, with local amendments. The following editions are listed in the City’s official adopted-code resources.

The listed 2024 technical-code amendments generally became effective July 10, 2025. Additional adopted codes cover swimming pools, property maintenance, and wildland-urban interface construction. Project approval may depend on applicable transition, vesting, and local amendment provisions.

Official reference: Austin Building Technical Codes and Local Amendments.

Local requirements that may affect your project

Before spending money on architectural plans or construction, check the location-specific conditions below.

• City limits versus ETJ: An Austin mailing address does not prove the property is inside Austin’s full municipal jurisdiction. Permitting authority differs by location; Austin also handles certain electrical and plumbing inspections in its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
• Zoning and land-use restrictions: Lot coverage, setbacks, permitted uses, height, and impervious-cover limitations may affect approval.
• Floodplain and drainage: Properties in mapped flood hazard areas may require additional review, even for work that would otherwise qualify for an exemption.
• Historic properties and trees: Protected trees, historic districts, and designated properties may trigger additional approvals.
• Right-of-way work: Driveway approaches, sidewalks, curb cuts, and related construction can require Transportation and Public Works review.
• Private deed restrictions: HOA rules or restrictive covenants may apply separately from City permitting approval.

Permit expiration and certificates of occupancy

An approved building permit must be activated before regulated work begins. Austin permits can expire after approximately 180 days without qualifying construction inspection activity. Review the expiration date and extension rules on your permit record; a canceled inspection or an unsuccessful no-work inspection may not preserve permit validity.

When a permit expires, the responsible contractor or property owner may need to request an extension or reactivation through the AB+C Portal or the City’s Modify a Permit process.

After the required final inspections, eligible projects receive a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or other applicable completion approval. Existing CO copies can be requested by emailing DSDCertificateofOccupancy@austintexas.gov with the property address and unit number. For requests of up to six certificates, the City lists a typical response period of 1–5 business days.

See the City’s Certificate of Occupancy guidance for new certificates, existing records, and temporary occupancy requests.

Official Austin permit resources

Frequently asked questions

Information reviewed: October 8, 2026. This independent guide summarizes publicly available City of Austin information and is not affiliated with the City government. Confirm project-specific decisions, fees, inspection requirements, and code applicability with Austin Development Services before beginning work.