Austin Building Permit Fees (2026)
Actual residential building permit fee formulas from the official City of Austin Development Services Department (DSD) FY 2025-26 fee schedule, effective October 1, 2025 (current). Austin is the Travis County seat and the largest permitting jurisdiction in Central Texas. Verified directly against the published city schedule.
This page covers: The residential building permit fee for one and two-family dwellings - the five summed trade lines (Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy) - and the separate residential plan-review fee, as printed in the City of Austin FY 2025-26 Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit Fees schedule. It also covers verified flat items: a $370.00 residential roof replacement inspection, a $73.70 demolition permit, a $132.86 small-projects review (fences and pools), a $187.68 boat dock permit, a $111.66 solar (auxiliary power) electrical permit base, and a $76.23 reinspection fee. Each figure is exact from the published schedule.
Plan review is SEPARATE: The permit fee and the plan-review fee are two different numbers. New-construction plan review starts at an $896.50 base plus a $106.72 application processing fee; additions and remodels use a separate plan-review tier ($179.30 base, rising with square footage).
Texas has no statewide levy: Unlike Virginia or Maryland, Texas adds no statewide percentage building-permit levy. The only percentage add-on in Austin is the 10% Austin Energy technology fee, and it applies only to Austin Energy and solar (auxiliary power) line items, not to the core per-square-foot building permit fees.
This page does NOT cover: Austin Water tap and capital recovery fees, zoning plan review (a separate schedule), commercial building permits (a separate schedule), subdivision and site-plan review, transportation and right-of-way fees, tree and environmental review, and the 2.35% ($2.00 minimum) credit-card service fee charged through the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal. Standalone trade work that is not part of a new-dwelling permit (for example a change-out HVAC system or an electric service inspection) is priced separately - all excluded from every figure on this page.
In Austin, the building permit for a new one or two-family dwelling of 1,000 sq ft or less is $838.82. That figure is the sum of five separate trade lines on the FY 2025-26 schedule - Building $289.53, Electrical $166.99, Mechanical $116.07, Plumbing $200.43, and Energy $65.80. Plan review is charged separately, starting at an $896.50 base plus a $106.72 application processing fee, so permit plus plan review runs $1,842.04 for that small home. Verified flat items include a $370.00 roof replacement inspection and a $73.70 demolition permit. Texas has no statewide percentage levy on permits.
- Austin prices one and two-family dwelling permits per square foot, tiered by size, and charges five trade lines (Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy) that are summed into the permit total.
- A new dwelling of 1,000 sq ft or less is $838.82 for the permit; above 1,000 sq ft each trade line adds a per-square-foot increment over the tier floor.
- Plan review is a separate charge - an $896.50 base for new construction plus a $106.72 application processing fee. The permit fee and the plan-review fee are two different numbers, and together run $1,842.04 for the small-home example.
- Verified flat items include a $370.00 residential roof replacement inspection, a $73.70 demolition permit, and a $132.86 small-projects review that covers fences and pools.
- The 10% Austin Energy technology fee applies only to Austin Energy and solar (auxiliary power) line items, not to the core per-square-foot building permit fees. Texas has no statewide levy.
Austin Building Permit Fee Structure
For one and two-family dwellings, the permit fee is the sum of five trade lines, each with a base fee for the size tier plus a per-square-foot rate for footage over the tier floor. Plan review is charged separately, and common small jobs (roof, demolition, decks) are priced as their own line items. The tables below show the verified figures exactly as published in the FY 2025-26 schedule.
Per-trade base permit fees by size tier
| Conditioned sq ft tier | Building | Electrical | Mechanical | Plumbing | Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 1,000 (base) | $289.53 | $166.99 | $116.07 | $200.43 | $65.80 |
| 2,001-3,000 (base) | $347.12 | $209.38 | $123.88 | $231.96 | $65.80 |
| 5,001+ (base) | $478.50 | $268.76 | $166.17 | $306.26 | $65.80 |
Intermediate tiers (1,001-2,000, 3,001-4,000, 4,001-5,000) follow the same structure with their own base fees and per-square-foot increments. For the Building line, the increment over 1,000 sq ft is $0.0576 per sq ft. Above 1,000 sq ft the exact total depends on conditioned square footage, so confirm the precise figure with the Development Services Department.
Plan review (charged separately)
| Plan-review item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New construction plan review (base) | $896.50 |
| Application processing fee | $106.72 |
| Additions and remodels plan review (base) | $179.30 |
| Resubmittal or major plan revision | $532.52 |
| Minor plan revision | $84.15 |
The additions and remodels plan-review base rises with square footage. Plan review is billed on top of - not instead of - the five-line permit fee.
Verified flat and itemized fees
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential roof replacement inspection | $370.00 | Like-for-like reroof; structural or decking changes add review. See the Austin roof replacement guide. |
| Demolition permit (each) | $73.70 | Pre-demolition inspection $55.00; relocation processing $97.02 where applicable. |
| Small-projects plan review (fences, pools) | $132.86 | Austin does not publish a single flat deck/pool/fence permit total; this review plus inspection fees applies. |
| Boat dock (new construction) permit | $187.68 | Lakefront structures. |
| Solar (auxiliary power) electrical permit base | $111.66 | Includes the 10% Austin Energy technology fee; intake fee $32.47 separate. |
| Reinspection fee (per inspection) | $76.23 | Charged when a re-visit is required. |
These line items are printed as standalone amounts on the FY 2025-26 schedule. The 2.35% ($2.00 minimum) credit-card service fee applies at payment through the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal and is not part of any figure above.
Austin Permit Fee Components
An Austin residential permit total stacks a few separate components: the five summed per-square-foot trade lines, a separately charged plan-review fee, and - only on certain line items - the 10% Austin Energy technology fee. Water taps, zoning, and commercial review sit outside this stack entirely.
| Component | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee (five trade lines summed) | $838.82 for a dwelling ≤ 1,000 sq ft | Exact schedule figure |
| Plan review (new construction) | $896.50 base + $106.72 app processing | Separate - a different number from the permit fee |
| Austin Energy technology fee | 10% | Applies only to Austin Energy and solar (auxiliary power) line items |
| Credit-card service fee (AB+C portal) | 2.35% ($2.00 minimum) | Excluded - payment surcharge only |
| Austin Water tap / capital recovery fees | Separate schedules | Excluded - can far exceed the building permit on a new home |
| Zoning / commercial / subdivision review | Separate schedules | Excluded - not part of the residential building permit |
The only percentage add-on to a core Austin building permit is the 10% Austin Energy technology fee, and it touches only Austin Energy and solar (auxiliary power) lines - there is no percentage surcharge on the Building, Mechanical, or Plumbing trade lines, and Texas has no statewide building-permit levy.
Worked Examples
Every figure below is taken directly from the FY 2025-26 schedule; the totals are the sum of those verified inputs. Above 1,000 sq ft, each trade line adds a per-square-foot increment, so those totals depend on conditioned square footage and should be confirmed with DSD.
Example 1: New Dwelling, 1,000 sq ft or Less
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Building permit line | $289.53 |
| Electrical permit line | $166.99 |
| Mechanical permit line | $116.07 |
| Plumbing permit line | $200.43 |
| Energy permit line | $65.80 |
| Permit subtotal (exact) | $838.82 |
| Plan review (new construction base) | $896.50 |
| Application processing fee | $106.72 |
| Permit + plan review total | $1,842.04 |
Assumptions: A new one or two-family dwelling of 1,000 sq ft or less. The five trade lines sum to $838.82 - an exact schedule figure. Adding the $896.50 new-construction plan-review base and the $106.72 application processing fee brings permit plus plan review to $1,842.04. This total excludes Austin Water tap and capital recovery fees, zoning review, and any standalone trade work - all of which are billed separately and, on new construction, frequently exceed the permit itself. Source: City of Austin Development Services FY 2025-26 fee schedule (eff. Oct 1, 2025).
Example 2: Residential Roof Replacement
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement inspection | flat, like-for-like | $370.00 |
| All-in total (exact) | flat inspection fee | $370.00 |
Assumptions: A like-for-like residential roof replacement bills the $370.00 roof replacement inspection fee. Re-decking or structural changes can trigger additional review beyond this flat figure. See the Austin roof replacement permit guide for the full breakdown. Source: City of Austin Development Services FY 2025-26 fee schedule (eff. Oct 1, 2025).
Example 3: Residential Demolition
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition permit | flat, each | $73.70 |
| Pre-demolition inspection | flat | $55.00 |
| All-in total (exact) | $73.70 + $55.00 | $128.70 |
Assumptions: A residential demolition draws the $73.70 demolition permit plus the $55.00 pre-demolition inspection, for $128.70 all-in. Where a structure is being relocated rather than demolished, a $97.02 relocation processing fee applies instead. Source: City of Austin Development Services FY 2025-26 fee schedule (eff. Oct 1, 2025).
Example 4: Residential Solar (Auxiliary Power)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Solar (auxiliary power) electrical permit base | includes 10% AE tech fee | $111.66 |
| Intake fee | flat | $32.47 |
| All-in total (exact) | $111.66 + $32.47 | $144.13 |
Assumptions: A residential rooftop solar (auxiliary power) install draws the $111.66 electrical permit base - which already includes the 10% Austin Energy technology fee - plus the separate $32.47 intake fee, for $144.13 all-in. This is one of the few residential items the Austin Energy technology fee touches. Source: City of Austin Development Services FY 2025-26 fee schedule (eff. Oct 1, 2025).
Read before you budget from these examples
- Plan review is separate: the $838.82 permit is an exact schedule figure, but a new home also incurs the $896.50 plan-review base plus the $106.72 application processing fee - $1,842.04 combined before any utility, zoning, or trade fees.
- Above 1,000 sq ft is not flat: each of the five trade lines adds a per-square-foot increment over the tier floor (the Building line adds $0.0576/sq ft), so larger homes cost more than the base and depend on conditioned square footage.
- The 10% Austin Energy technology fee is narrow: it applies only to Austin Energy and solar (auxiliary power) line items, not to the core Building, Mechanical, or Plumbing permit lines. Texas has no statewide levy.
- No fabricated deck/pool figure: Austin does not publish a single flat deck, pool, or fence permit total - those run through a $132.86 small-projects plan review plus standalone inspection fees, so we do not print a made-up flat number.
- Excluded fees can dwarf the permit: Austin Water tap and capital recovery fees, zoning review, and commercial or subdivision review are separate schedules and not in any total above.
Practitioner Insight
Austin's residential permit is unusual for its five-line structure: Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Energy are each priced and then summed, so a new dwelling of 1,000 sq ft or less lands at exactly $838.82 before plan review. The number people miss is that plan review is a separate charge - an $896.50 base plus a $106.72 application processing fee - which more than doubles the up-front cost to $1,842.04 for that same small home. Anyone comparing Austin to nearby metros should look at Round Rock and Dallas, or the side-by-side Austin vs Round Rock and Austin vs Dallas breakdowns.
The two places Austin's schedule trips up budgets are the 10% Austin Energy technology fee and the flat-fee gaps. The technology fee sounds broad but is narrow: it touches only Austin Energy and solar (auxiliary power) line items, not the core Building, Mechanical, or Plumbing permit. And Austin publishes no single flat deck, pool, or fence permit - those run through a $132.86 small-projects plan review plus standalone inspection fees, so a clean all-in number does not exist for them. For a like-for-like reroof ($370.00) or a demolition ($73.70 plus a $55.00 pre-demolition inspection), the figures are exact. Anyone budgeting a full build should price the excluded charges early: Austin Water tap and capital recovery fees, zoning review, and site or subdivision review are separate schedules and can exceed the building permit itself.
Permit Requirements - Common Residential Projects in Austin
| Project Type | Permit Required? | Fee Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New one/two-family dwelling | Yes | 5 trade lines summed | ≤ 1,000 SF = $838.82 permit; plan review separate |
| Addition or remodel | Yes | Trade lines + $179.30 review base | Separate additions/remodels plan-review tier |
| Roof replacement (like-for-like) | Yes | $370.00 inspection | Structural or decking changes add review |
| Demolition (residential) | Yes | $73.70 + $55.00 pre-demo | $128.70 all-in; relocation processing $97.02 where applicable |
| Deck, pool, or fence | Yes | $132.86 small-projects review | No single flat permit total; inspection fees add |
| Boat dock (new construction) | Yes | $187.68 | Lakefront structures |
| Solar (auxiliary power) | Yes | $111.66 base + $32.47 intake | Base includes the 10% Austin Energy technology fee |
| Standalone trade work (electrical / mechanical / plumbing) | Yes | Priced separately | Not part of a new-dwelling permit; billed on its own |
Permit trigger thresholds and how conditioned square footage is counted are set by the Austin Development Services Department. When uncertain whether a permit is required, contact DSD before starting work.
Austin Development Services Department
Development Services Department (DSD)
Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, TX 78752
Phone: 512-978-4000 (or Austin 3-1-1)
Portal: Austin Build + Connect (AB+C)
FY 2025-26 Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit Fees
Effective October 1, 2025 · updated November 13, 2025
When This Estimate May Not Apply
Your dwelling exceeds 1,000 sq ft
Each trade line then adds a per-square-foot increment over the tier floor (the Building line adds $0.0576/sq ft), and the exact total depends on conditioned square footage. The $838.82 figure is the base-tier permit only.
Your project is commercial, multifamily, or mixed-use
Those use a separate Austin fee schedule outside the scope of this page, which covers one and two-family dwellings only.
You are building a new home - site fees are separate and large
Austin Water tap and capital recovery fees, zoning review, and tree and environmental review are all billed separately, are NOT in any total here, and can far exceed the building permit.
Your plans need resubmittal, or you pay by card
A resubmittal or major plan revision is $532.52 and a reinspection is $76.23 per occurrence, on top of the permit fees. A 2.35% ($2.00 minimum) credit-card service fee applies at payment through the AB+C portal.
The city revises the schedule after October 1, 2025
Fees are from the FY 2025-26 schedule (updated November 13, 2025, effective October 1, 2025) and can change in a later fiscal year. Confirm the current schedule before filing.
Source note: The official PDF contains two printed internal inconsistencies that we report as-is rather than silently correct: (1) the new-construction plan-review tier for 5,001+ sq ft prints a "$0.018 per sq ft" increment where the lower tiers print "$0.18"; and (2) page 1 shows "$118 per additional structure" in narrative text versus "$130.68" in the adjacent fee column. Confirm these specific lines with DSD if they apply to your project. All figures come from the City of Austin FY 2025-26 Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit Fees schedule (footer "Updated 11/13/2025 - Effective 10/01/2025"), verified June 10, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
-
City of Austin Development Services Department - Fees Austin, TX - FY 2025-26 Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit Fees; footer "Updated 11/13/2025 - Effective 10/01/2025." Primary source for every trade-line fee, plan-review fee, flat fee, and technology-fee note on this page. Verified June 10, 2026 Verified
See how Austin's five-line structure compares to nearby Texas metros, or estimate fees in covered jurisdictions.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your Austin permit cost, two related numbers round out your total budget picture:
Property tax impact after your project closes
A permitted addition or new build increases your assessed value in Travis County. See how Texas jurisdictions calculate the ongoing property tax impact at CountyTaxTools.com.
Water tap, zoning, and site fees for larger projects
Austin Water tap and capital recovery fees, zoning plan review, and subdivision or site-plan review are all separate from the building permit. Research zoning and site costs at ZoneFee.com.