Austin permit search

Who issues building permits in Austin?

In the City of Austin, building permits come from Austin Development Services, a City department; other City departments issue permits such as special event and temporary use permits. The department describes its job:

Austin Development Services helps homeowners, business owners, and contractors ensure compliance with applicable City and building codes when they build, demolish, repair, or perform any construction in the City of Austin.

Source: Austin Development Services | City of Austin | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

Austin permit numbers, with their sources

Download this table: CSV · JSON

How to search a permit by address in Austin

AB+C Public Search has two tabs. The first finds a record by permit number, FolderRSN / RowID or case number; the second searches by property, project name, permit type and date range. For an address, open the second tab and fill in the street number and street name.

A date range longer than one year needs at least one more field set (street, ZIP code, project name or permit/case type), and the date range is not used for permit or case number searches. The AB+C Manual's tip for the second tab:

It is not necessary to fill each field. Entering more information will help narrow your search.

Source: AB+C Manual | Austin Transportation and Public Works | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

Austin Development Services asks applicants to run the same property search for expired permits before they apply:

Check for expired permits. Use Public Search to review permit history by entering the "Search by Property" fields and a date range. If your property has expired permits, complete the Acknowledgment of Expired Permits and submit it with your application.

Source: Residential Plan Review | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

The AB+C Manual walks through each search step: AB+C Manual.

Austin permit status

A property owner can follow a project in AB+C Public Search: the status of the application under review, the permits generated from it and their inspections. Residential Plan Review says:

The status of your application can be checked online through the Austin Build +Connect (AB+C) Portal.

Source: Residential Plan Review | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

The department's own link to the search: Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) Public Search.

Once a permit is active, the first inspection can be scheduled and construction can begin. A permit expires 180 days after activation if no on-site inspection has taken place; a passing inspection extends the expiration date by 180 days.

Do I need a permit for a fence in Austin?

The City's fencing page names the cases in which a fence requires a permit:

• “Is located in a floodplain. To determine if your property is within a floodplain, visit the FloodPro webpage.”
• “Is more than 7 feet high at any point.”
• “Is more than 6 feet high for residential property along the City of Austin public right-of-way (ROW), other than a public alley. You will also need a City of Austin letter of authorization. A Board of Adjustment variance is required to get the letter of authorization. A fence may be up to 7 feet and does not require a variance if there is a grade change of at least one foot along the property line.”

Source: Fencing Regulations | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

A fence that needs no permit still has to follow the rules on that page, which cites City Code 25-2-899. The time listed for a fence application is 5 business days.

Start my request for a fence in Austin

Do I need a permit to repair or replace a roof in Austin?

The City's list of work exempt from building permits names these roof jobs:

• “Asphalt shingles that replace existing asphalt shingles, unless the property is located in the Wildland-Urban Interface area and 50% or more of the roofing is being replaced.”
• “Replacement of any roof covering that does not adversely affect the roof structure, unless the property is located in the Wildland-Urban Interface area and 50% or more of the roofing is being replaced.”

Source: Work Exempt from Building Permits | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

Roof decking up to 128 square feet is on the same list. Repairs that replace decking boards over an area greater than 128 sq. ft., or replace over 50% of the roofing on a property in the Wildland-Urban Interface Code Area, go through a Residential Express Building Permit (Minor Repairs); most Express Permits are issued in one business day, though the time may differ in a floodplain or historic district.

Start my request for a roof repair or replacement in Austin

Do I need a permit to replace a water heater or AC unit in Austin?

Replacing water heating, heating or cooling appliances in an occupied home is filed as a Change Out permit in the AB+C portal. The AB+C Manual's qualifications include:

• “Property is an occupied one - two family dwelling or Duplex that contains independent cooling, heating and water heating appliances for each dwelling”
• “Water heater not exceeding 100 gallons”
• “No work shall be allowed which involves circuits larger than 50 amps”
• “Permits issued under this program will expire 180 days after issuance.”

Source: AB+C Manual | Austin Transportation and Public Works | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

Start my request for a water heater or HVAC change-out in Austin

Do I need a permit for a deck in Austin?

A small, low deck that is not attached to the house is on the exempt list, and so is a repair limited to the existing deck boards:

• “A deck that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m2 ) in area, is no more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling or townhouse, does not provide egress from the dwelling, and is not located within a flood hazard area.”
• “A non-structural exterior deck repair that is limited to the existing deck boards and does not include guardrails or handrails.”

Source: Work Exempt from Building Permits | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

An uncovered deck that needs a permit is filed as a Pool and/or Uncovered Deck Building Permit; the time listed for that application is 5 business days.

Start my request for a deck in Austin

Can a homeowner pull their own permit in Austin?

Yes. A homeowner can register as the general contractor on the building permit, and then requests and activates it, pays for it and schedules its inspections, including the final one. The Homeowner's Permit page:

As a homeowner, you can register as a contractor and be responsible for requesting/activating permits and scheduling/passing inspections for your property.

Source: Homeowner's Permit | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

Plumbing, electrical or mechanical work done by the owner is a separate step, the Homestead Permit. Its conditions include a homestead exemption filed with the county tax appraisal district, work in the owner's own homestead and principal residence, no work on the main electric service, refrigerant charging or liquefied petroleum systems, and no homestead permit for another residence within the prior 12-month period. The page sums it up:

By qualifying for a Homestead Permit, you act as the trade contractor. These permits are not transferable.

Source: Homeowner's Permit | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

What work does not need a permit in Austin?

The City publishes a list of work exempt from building permits; its residential part covers one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories. Exempt work still has to meet the codes:

A building permit is not required for the work described below; however, work exempt from a permit must still comply with applicable Building Codes, City Codes, and all other applicable ordinances.

Source: Work Exempt from Building Permits | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

Residential items on the list include:

• “A one-story detached accessory structure that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m2 ) of floor area, no more than 15 feet (4,572 mm) in height, does not create a dwelling, contains no plumbing, and is not located within a flood hazard area.”
• “A sidewalk, driveway, or concrete flatwork that is not located in the public right-of-way.”
• “Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.”
• “Work required to repair or replace fixtures and to replace exposed traps, continuous waste piping, fixture supply valves, or faucets if the work does not involve other city departments or inspections from other trades.”

Source: Work Exempt from Building Permits | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

A new or replacement shower, tub or combination tub and shower is not exempt (Section 104.2). The full list, with mechanical and electrical items: Work Exempt from Building Permits.

How much is a permit and how long does it take in Austin?

Residential Plan Review lists review times starting July 1, 2026: 5 business days for fence, interior remodel and swimming pool or uncovered deck applications, 10 business days for new construction and additions, and typically same day for Express. The review time starts once the invoice is paid.

Before you apply in Austin: checklist

Search the property in Public Search for expired permits, and file the Acknowledgment of Expired Permits with the application if it has any. Download the application and review its checklists, then apply with the matching Residential Building Permit web form; an invoice follows once the application is accepted for review. For an Express Permit, give the general contractor's AB+C Portal account email and Contractor PIN so the permit activates on payment. Once it is active, the permit is posted at the property:

The permit must be displayed on the property's entrance side, visible from the public right-of-way (i.e., the street).

Source: Activating a Permit | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

Austin permit application

Express applications are submitted online through web forms, and some permit types can be applied for in the AB+C portal itself. Whoever is listed on the permit needs an AB+C Portal account:

The contractor listed on the permit (general contractor, trades contractor, or homeowner) must have an AB+C Portal account to pay fees, manage the permit, and schedule inspections.

Source: Express Permits | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

Not sure a project needs a permit? The City's interactive tool asks about the jurisdiction, property type and permitting needs: Do I Need a Permit?.

How do I contact the Austin building department?

Austin Development Services runs the Permitting and Development Center (PDC), which offers virtual or in-person appointments and some walk-in appointment types, though not for every service: Appointments webpage. The department's contact page: Contact. Its note on chat and phone hours:

Staff from select work groups are available to chat via the web during regular business hours, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, staff will be unavailable for online chat and phone inquiries.

Source: Contact Austin Development Services | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov, read 2026-10-29

Sources

• Homeowner's Permit | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Citizen Portal (abc.austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Citizen Portal (abc.austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Austin Development Services | City of Austin | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Types of Permits | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Census Bureau Building Permits Survey, annual county file 2025 (www2.census.gov), row 2025,48,453 (Travis County, TX), sum of the Units columns (1-based columns 8, 11, 14, 17 = '1-unit', '2-units', '3-4 units', '5+ units' Units, columns counted from 1, as the file's header counts them), read 2026-10-29
• Residential Plan Review | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Express Permits | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Activating a Permit | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• AB+C Manual | Austin Transportation and Public Works | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Fencing Regulations | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Work Exempt from Building Permits | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29
• Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit Fees (austin.widen.net), read 2026-10-29
• Contact Austin Development Services | Austin Development Services | AustinTexas.gov (austintexas.gov), read 2026-10-29