Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
TNR Development Services Permit Desk: 512-854-4215; TNR inspection/enforcement team: 512-854-4438; Fire Marshal: 512-854-4621
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources Development Services and Travis County Fire Marshal's Office is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact TNR Development Services Permit Desk: 512-854-4215; TNR inspection/enforcement team: 512-854-4438; Fire Marshal: 512-854-4621.
The Fire Code requires issuance or denial of a complete building or system permit application within 30 days after the Fire Marshal receives the application and fee; if no action occurs in that period, the project is approved for Fire Code purposes. A requested final Fire Code inspection must begin within two business days. TNR publishes no single ordinary development-permit review target because review depends on project scope and applicant responses; technical review pauses while comments remain unanswered.
Apply, upload plans, respond to review comments, track status, and receive TNR permits through MGO Connect. Required residential foundation, framing/mechanical, and final inspections are performed by a licensed third-party inspector and the reports are uploaded to the project account. Coordinate OSSF authorization and inspections through the same permit record and call the inspection team at 512-854-4438; do not cover or operate the system before approval. Fire Code applicants use https://www.tcfmopermits.com/ and must request final building or system inspection in writing; the Fire Marshal must begin it within two business days. County development inspectors generally require 48 hours' advance notice for construction-stage inspections identified in the online project record.
Travis County requires county development permits for residential and non-residential projects outside incorporated city limits, including new homes, accessory buildings, additions, renovations, fences, retaining walls, pools, solar installations, driveways, floodplain work, and OSSFs. Professional builders of new or substantially improved one- and two-family dwellings must identify the IRC edition used and submit foundation, framing/mechanical, and final third-party inspection reports under County Code Chapter 480. Effective January 1, 2026, commercial establishments, public buildings, and multifamily dwellings of more than three units must comply with the county-amended 2021 International Fire Code; the IBC is adopted by reference through Chapter 1 of that code. TNR also enforces Chapters 448 (OSSF), 464 (floodplain), and 482 (development/environmental review). Municipalities and ETJs may require additional permits. The Fire Code excludes an industrial facility with an OSHA-compliant fire brigade, and its definition of commercial establishment excludes multifamily dwellings with fewer than four units plus private garages, carports, sheds, and agricultural buildings; those projects may still require a TNR development permit. Travis County publishes permit processes even for residential remodeling without added square footage, accessory buildings, fences, pools, and rooftop solar, so applicants should not assume routine exterior or structural work is exempt. The county publishes no blanket cosmetic-work exemption. Owners repairing damage from the July 2025 flood may request a waiver of development and septic permit fees, but the permits themselves are still required.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.