Getting a building permit in Travis County, Texas is a must for most residential and commercial projects in the county. Whether you're breaking ground on a multifamily development or installing a new HVAC unit, you should understand how to navigate the permitting process.
This guide walks through key Travis County building permit requirements, including requirements, fees, applications, and trade permits for everything from new construction to remodels and specialty systems.
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What requires a building permit in Travis County?
If you're doing work in Travis County, most new construction, structural changes, or system installations will require a permit. Travis County permits make sure your project is safe, zoning compliant, and environmentally protected (especially in water quality zones).
Here’s what generally requires a permit:
- New construction of a single-family home, duplex or similar residential dwelling
- Additions, remodels, or renovations to existing residences
- Accessory buildings / non-habitable structures (e.g. shed, gazebo) on residential property
- Fences, retaining walls, driveways, pools/spas, septic/on-site sewage facilities (OSSF), and other site-improvement work
- Work in county right-of-way (ROW), or utility / sewage / drainage installations on unincorporated land
- Commercial buildings, multi-family dwellings, manufactured home parks, or non-residential structures
- Subdivision of land, grading, clearing, excavation, filling, paving, or other land-use changes
- Projects in or affecting flood-prone areas / drainage / stormwater / environmental impact
What doesn’t require a building permit in Travis County?
In Travis County, while most development and construction activities require a permit, some work exempt from a permit includes interior finishing like painting, tiling, and cabinetry, replacing or repairing existing components without changing the structure, and erecting temporary structures like playground equipment or small sheds.
Travis County building permit cost
Permit fees in Travis County vary based on project type, square footage, and site-specific factors (e.g., floodplain, impervious cover).
Other commercial scopes
For the most accurate breakdown, use the Travis County permitting fee schedule or consult your project reviewer.
How long do building permits last in Travis County?
Once issued, Travis County permits are valid for 180 days. If construction doesn’t begin within that period, the permit may expire. If work is active and inspections are occurring, extensions can be granted, typically in 180-day increments.
Travis County trade permits
Plumbing permits
Plumbing permits are required for any installation, rerouting, or significant repair involving water, sewer, or gas lines.
Electrical permits
Permits are needed for new electrical systems, panel upgrades, or generator and solar hookups.
HVAC permits
Mechanical permits apply to any major HVAC work including new installations or replacements.
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How to get a building permit in Travis County
Step 1: Verify jurisdiction
Travis County only issues building/development permits when a project lies outside of city limits. If inside Austin, Bee Cave, Lakeway, West Lake Hills, etc., apply through the city, not the county.
To confirm land jurisdiction, contact:
- Phone: 512-854-4215 (Development Services) or
- Verify via boundary map lookup
Step 2: Prepare your application package
Standard documentation you must gather:
Step 3: Apply online or in person
You may apply through Travis County Development Services:
Note: Some permits may require pre-development meetings, especially commercial & land development cases.
Travis County Development Services:
- Phone: 512-854-4215
- Website portal
Step 4: Plan review and department routing
Once received, the county will distribute your plans to one or more review departments based on project type. During review, you may receive Plan Comments / Correction Requests. Once revised, documents must be re-submitted.
Step 5: Pay final fees and receive your permit
Once approved, fees are calculated and must be paid in full. Then, you’ll be issued a permit to post on site.
Step 6: Begin work and schedule inspections
Start construction and use the contact details provided to request required inspections.
Travis County permitting resources
- Travis County Development Services
- Address: 700 Lavaca, Suite 540, Austin, TX 78701
- Phone: (512) 854-4215
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 1748, Attn: Permits, Austin, TX 78701
- Email: Travis_County.Permits@traviscountytx.gov
- Travis County Building Permit Application
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Travis County permitting fee schedule
- Commercial & multi-family development permits
- Single-family development permits
- MGO connect portal
- MyPermitNow application process
- Permit enforcement
Simplify Travis County permitting with PermitFlow
Travis County’s permitting process can feel like a maze. Austin has its own zoning and code requirements, the surrounding municipalities follow their own rules, and every office seems to have a different interpretation of what “complete” means. For most teams, that translates into lost time, stalled schedules, and a whole lot of administrative work that doesn’t move projects forward.
PermitFlow changes that.
PermitFlow manages the entire Travis County permitting workflow so your team doesn’t have to. Our AI agents research requirements, prepare forms, coordinate with AHJs, and track inspections. Teams using PermitFlow see up to 90% less permitting workload and 2.5x faster approvals, thanks to automations built on millions of permitting data points .
Builders partner with PermitFlow because we offer:
- Local expertise: We understand how Austin and every Travis County jurisdiction reviews permits, which means fewer surprises and smoother approvals.
- One place to track everything: All your permits live in a single dashboard with real-time status updates.
- Higher-quality submissions: Clean, accurate applications reduce revisions and help approvals come through faster.
- Nationwide coverage: Manage Travis County projects alongside work throughout Texas and across the US with consistent, reliable service.
If permitting is slowing down your schedule, it doesn’t have to. Reach out today to see how PermitFlow keeps Travis County projects moving without the friction.
