Navigating the Tarrant County, Texas building permit process can feel like a maze, especially with overlapping city and county jurisdictions. Whether you're building, demolishing, developing, or doing trade work, this guide breaks down permit requirements, fees, timelines, and how to get started.
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What requires a building permit in Tarrant County?
In Tarrant County, a building permit is required for most construction activity. If your project alters structure, utilities, or impacts public infrastructure, permits are likely needed.
Here's what typically triggers a permit:
- Commercial buildings, public buildings, and multi-family dwellings (4+ units)
- Substantial residential construction/renovation for resale
- Construction or development within a FEMA-designated floodplain
- Any construction/alteration that affects county-maintained roads/right-of-way (ROW)
- Subdivision / land-use changes (platting, dividing land, creating multiple lots, new roads, drainage, utility/roadway infrastructure)
If you're outside city limits, permitting is handled by Tarrant County Transportation Services, Permits Division. Within Fort Worth and other municipalities, you'll need to apply through local building departments.
Tarrant County building and trade permit costs
Tarrant County does not list its own explicit building and trade permit fees online. Most permitting must be done through the city or town AHJ.
Check out our municipal guides for some of the biggest cities in Tarrant County for more info:
Keep permits in Tarrant County moving
PermitFlow reduces delays and back-and-forth, reducing your permitting workload by up to 90%. Learn how.
How to get a building permit in Tarrant County
Tarrant County permitting works differently than most Texas jurisdictions. Before beginning, you must determine whether your property is inside city limits or unincorporated Tarrant County, because the process changes significantly.
Step 1: Gather required documentation
You’ll need:
- Scope of work + estimated project value
- Construction drawings (stamped/sealed when required)
- Contractor license details
- Fire protection plans if applicable (sprinklers, alarms, suppression systems)
Step 2: Submit your application
Applications must be submitted per the AHJ’s requirements. In many cities, you can apply for permits online through a portal.
Step 3: Review, plan comments & revisions
The AHJ will carefully review your submission to ensure it meets all state and local codes. If there are any issues with your application, the AHJ will reach out to you to request revisions or a complete resubmission. Be sure to address revision requests quickly to keep your project moving.
Step 4: Pay fees & permit issuance
Once plans pass review, fees must be paid before the permit is issued.
Tarrant County permitting resources
- Tarrant County Transportation Department
- Address: 100 E. Weatherford St., Fort Worth, TX 76196
- Phone: (817) 884-1250
- Permit search: Tarrant County Building Permit Search
- Office hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Notice of residential construction in an unincorporated area
- Notice of residential construction inspection compliance
- Fire permit fee schedule
- Tarrant County fire marshal construction permit application
Simplify Tarrant County permitting with PermitFlow
Tarrant County's permit system covers Fort Worth, Arlington, and dozens of other municipalities. Each city runs its own process with different forms, fees, and approval timelines. Hours disappear into tracking requirements, following up with departments, and troubleshooting rejections – time that should be spent on actual project work.
PermitFlow removes the friction.
Our AI-powered platform manages every step of the Tarrant County permitting process. Our AI agents prepare clean, code-compliant submissions, route them to the right office, track progress in real time, and keep you updated automatically. Instead of juggling spreadsheets, emails, and phone calls, your team gets a permitting operation that runs reliably in the background.
Construction professionals choose PermitFlow because we deliver:
- Local expertise: Our specialists know the nuances across Tarrant County jurisdictions, so your applications move through review without unnecessary delays.
- Centralized visibility: A single dashboard shows the status of every permit across your portfolio, replacing manual check-ins with real-time tracking.
- High-quality submissions: Accurate, complete applications cut down on rejections and resubmissions, accelerating review and protecting your timeline.
- Scalable workflows: Whether you’re handling projects only in Tarrant County or expanding throughout Texas, our platform standardizes the process so your team can work faster with a single dependable system.
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