Overview
Austin Development Services handles city building review and inspections. Confirm the property’s jurisdiction before choosing an application; use the City’s project-specific guidance to establish required reviews.
Permit authority
Austin Development Services
Permit services
AB+C tracking, payment and activation
Trades
Select a trade for its permit path, licensing, code resources, fees and filing pitfalls.
Electrical permits
Austin DSD / TDLRApplicable Code
Austin Chapter 25-12 electrical amendments and the applicable adopted NEC.
License Requirement
Texas electrical trade license and Austin contractor registration; qualifying homestead work has a separate route.
License Fee
TDLR license class and City registration guidance
CEUs
TDLR lists 4 hours for covered individual licenses; contractor licenses are exempt.
Permit Fee
$183.69 residential electrical base fee; solar and service changes have separate charges (FY26–27).
Plan Review Time
Standalone scope or related building permit; BTCS handles activation.
Common Pitfalls
- A pending permit is not an active permit.
- Homestead eligibility excludes work on the main electric service.
Permit-to-closeout workflow
Select the application
Use Residential or Commercial Plan Review and its project checklist.
Submit and pay intake
Review starts after acceptance and payment of the review invoice.
Resolve comments
Residential updates include the complete corrected plan set.
Activate permits
Approval creates pending permits; contractors pay and activate their work.
Inspect each scope
Keep approved plans onsite; coordinate building, trade and fire inspections.
Complete the record
Clear required finals and obtain occupancy approval where needed.
Permit fees and worked estimates
Residential rates effective October 1, 2026. Examples below are specific fee components, not a complete project quote; tree, floodplain, utility, right-of-way and fire charges can apply. The separately linked AFD schedule is labelled FY26.
| Trade | Permit fee | License fee |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical permits | $183.69 residential electrical base fee; solar and service changes have separate charges (FY26–27). | TDLR license class and City registration guidance |
| Plumbing permits | $220.47 residential plumbing base fee; standalone inspection route $73.81 (FY26–27). | TSBPE license category; City registration separately |
| Mechanical and HVAC permits | $127.68 residential mechanical base; change-out program first HVAC system $74.05, additional system $20.69. | TDLR mechanical license and registration requirements |
| Fire protection and alarms | Published FY26 AFD alarm/sprinkler review: 1–10 devices/heads $63; corresponding initial inspection $296. | Texas fire credential category; separate from AFD fees |
| Building and general contracting | $318.48 residential building base, plus separate application, review, energy and applicable trade fees. | Use City contractor-registration instructions |
Choose your permit route
Residential Plan Review offers separate web forms for new construction, additions, interior remodels and other residential work. Commercial Plan Review has its own intake guidance. AB+C supports project tracking, payments and permit services; it is not a substitute for the required intake form.
Submission checklist
Application and review
Submit through the appropriate review service, pay the intake invoice and respond to review comments. Residential corrections require the updated full plan set. After approval, the City creates permits pending activation; the applicable contractors must activate them before construction and inspections.
Codes and local amendments
Austin’s Building Technical Codes page links Chapter 25-12 local amendments, discipline-specific codes, interpretation guidance and adoption history. Confirm the edition and transition applicable to the filing rather than applying one edition to every trade.
Homeowner and contractor rules
General contractors and homeowners acting as contractors register with BTCS. A homestead exemption and principal-residence qualification are required for the homeowner trade route. It does not cover main electrical service, specified refrigerant work or liquefied-petroleum systems; the permit holder must perform the authorized work personally.
Avoid activation and inspection problems
Inspections and closeout
Follow Building Inspections guidance for the activated permits. Keep a paper copy of the City-approved plans onsite. Complete the required inspections and corrections, and confirm whether a temporary or final certificate of occupancy is required for the project.