Overview
Development Services publishes separate residential packets for new construction, additions, remodels, accessories and pools. Applications and complete plans are common requirements; plat, site, energy and Urban Forestry records depend on the project. Use online permitting for the selected building and trade services.
Authority
Development Services
Portal
Online permitting / Accela
Trades
Select a trade for its permit path, licensing, code resources, fees and filing pitfalls.
Electrical permit and registration
Fort Worth / TDLRApplicable Code
Fort Worth electrical provisions and adopted amendments for the scope.
License Requirement
Qualified Texas electrical credentials and City contractor registration.
License Fee
State-licensed electrical registration fee exemption; state credential fees separate.
CEUs
Covered individual Texas licenses: four hours; contractor category exempt.
Permit Fee
October 2026 application $33.08 and technology $16.87 are components; system/items or remodel category assessed separately.
Plan Review Time
Select online trade service or building-linked scope.
Common Pitfalls
- A registration-fee exemption does not replace contractor registration or a permit.
- The 2026 codifier still showed older fee amounts than the new adopted ordinance.
Permit-to-closeout workflow
Choose project packet
Select new, addition, remodel, accessory or pool requirements.
Prepare plans and site
Include the required plat, site plan and conditional compliance records.
Confirm registration
Submit contractor identity and applicable trade credentials.
Apply online
Pay required intake charges and resolve review comments.
Obtain approvals
Retain issued permit and approved drawings before construction.
Inspect and finish
Request required stages, release and occupancy approval as applicable.
Permit fees and worked estimates
Adopted Ordinance 26-28781 states September 15, 2026 adoption and October 1, 2026 effectiveness. It supersedes older displayed fee values.
| Trade | Permit fee | License fee |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical permit and registration | October 2026 application $33.08 and technology $16.87 are components; system/items or remodel category assessed separately. | State-licensed electrical registration fee exemption; state credential fees separate. |
| Plumbing and gas work | Current trade permit rate not verified; excluded from the worked example. Use the October 2026 system schedule; application and technology components are not the full permit price. | Qualified state-licensed plumbing category exempt from City registration fee; credential costs separate. |
| Mechanical installations | Use the current mechanical item schedule; October 2026 application $33.08 and technology $16.87 separately. | Qualified state-licensed mechanical registration fee exemption; TDLR fees separate. |
| Fire protection coordination | Current trade permit rate not verified; excluded from the worked example. The October 2026 ordinance also changes fire fee sections; obtain the system-specific assessment. | Fee amount not verified in this review. Confirm specialist credential and City registration categories. |
| Building and remodeling | October 2026 residential remodel minimums: one trade $119, three $357, five $595; intake components extra. | October 2026 annual building/sign contractor category $178. |
Submission checklist
Homeowner and licensing
Use the City’s applicant and registration requirements for the actual scope. The current form requests identification and applicable trade licenses; eligible state-licensed MEP categories have a registration-fee exemption. Confirm any owner exception directly rather than treating ownership as permission for all licensed work.
Codes and amendments
Fort Worth’s technical codes include local amendments and administrative requirements. The current codifier was labeled 2026 S-20 but still displayed old fee values; the newly adopted October ordinance is used here for prices. Confirm filing-date code applicability separately from fee publication.
Inspections and closeout
Keep permits and approved plans accessible and arrange required stages before covering work. The administrative provisions identify access/readiness problems as potential reinspection triggers. Complete applicable utility releases and occupancy approval before using the project.