Overview
Planning and Development Services directs applicants to Arlington Permits. The City fee landing distinguishes one/two-family area calculations from commercial valuation, separate MEP records and nonrefundable review. Its contractor guidance directs owners to verify City business registration and current trade licenses.
Authority
Planning and Development Services
Portal
ArlingtonPermits.com / Arlington Permits
Trades
Select a trade for its permit path, licensing, code resources, fees and filing pitfalls.
Electrical permits
Arlington / TDLRApplicable Code
City electrical adoption and applicable state credentials.
License Requirement
Confirm state electrical credentials and local registration for the selected scope.
License Fee
Exact licensed-trade registration assessment was not verified; confirm separately.
CEUs
Covered individual Texas licenses: four hours; contractor category exempt.
Permit Fee
October 2026 new-building-linked trade $100; standalone base $100 plus installed-item charges.
Plan Review Time
Use the building-linked or standalone service that matches the project.
Common Pitfalls
- Standalone base excludes service, outlets and equipment components.
- A building fee’s valuation includes electrical cost but does not remove the separate trade record.
Permit-to-closeout workflow
Check project location
Confirm City limits and proposed use.
Define all scope
Select residential area or commercial valuation and affected trades.
Prepare and register
Submit required plans and contractor business registration.
Submit and pay review
The application is not received until required review payment.
Resolve and obtain permits
Complete approvals and obtain building and trade records.
Inspect and close
Arrange required stages and any occupancy certificate.
Permit fees and worked estimates
The actual current City-offered schedule states Resolution 26-288, effective October 1, 2026.
| Trade | Permit fee | License fee |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical permits | October 2026 new-building-linked trade $100; standalone base $100 plus installed-item charges. | Exact licensed-trade registration assessment was not verified; confirm separately. |
| Plumbing and water heaters | October 2026 new-building-linked trade $100; standalone base $100 plus first water heater $20. | Credential and any local fee exemption need confirmation; no amount verified here. |
| Mechanical installation | October 2026 standalone base $100 + first complete HVAC system up to ten tons $40. | Exact local licensed-trade assessment not verified; state fee separately. |
| Fire protection review | October 2026 City fire-review category $250 for valuation up to $10,000, where City review applies. | Specialist credential fee was not verified in this review. |
| Building and construction | October 2026 commercial $2,001–$25,000: $325 + $9 per additional $1,000 above $2,000; review extra. | October 2026 business registration schedule: one year $100 or two years $175, where applicable. |
Submission checklist
Homeowner and licensing
Verify registered contractors before hiring and retain permit records. The current schedule lists a $50 homeowner examination category, but its full eligibility was not verified; an examination fee alone does not establish authority to perform every trade. Confirm the owner route with the City before self-performing work.
Codes and amendments
Confirm current City adoption and amendments for the filing date and work type. Arlington City services differ from Arlington County, Virginia. The current October 2026 fee schedule is used instead of older phased-change documents or a state-as-City fee assumption.
Inspections and closeout
Use the issued Arlington Permits records and current scheduling instructions for each required building/trade stage. Complete required finals and occupancy approval. The October schedule separately prices reinspections, same-day and after-hours service; ordinary fees do not establish a guaranteed inspection time.