How much does a building permit cost in Palestine, TX?

The minimum permit fee is $50 (driveway and fence permits); $75 residential demolition; $80 certificate of occupancy; $105 each for mechanical, electrical, or plumbing trade permits. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. New residential building permits are square-foot based; many miscellaneous permits are flat-fee; commercial plan review and inspection fees are valuation based.. Plan check fee: Residential new or master plan review: $210 per unit or address. Commercial plan review: valuation based..

How do I apply for a building permit in Palestine, TX?

1. Complete the Construction Permit Application. 2. Assemble the required digital plan set. For residential new houses: site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, cross-section plan, electrical plan, roof and floor framing, elevation, and residential energy compliance or third-party documentation. For commercial new buildings: site, civil, landscape, and drainage plans. 3. Email the permit request package to permits@palestine-tx.org. Incomplete submittals will not be processed. 4. Development Services reviews the plans and assesses fees under the current fee schedule. 5. After permit issuance, request inspections by email or phone. Requests submitted by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Palestine, TX?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Email inspection requests, Phone inspection requests. Requests submitted by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day.

City Building Permits

Palestine, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Palestine, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Texas Anderson County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Within Palestine city limits. Zoning ordinance regulates a one-mile ETJ for zoning-related purposes. Building-permit authority for ordinary vertical construction should be confirmed on a parcel basis near city limits and ETJ edges.

Department: Development Services
Address: 504 N Queen Street, Palestine, TX 75801
Phone: 903-731-8400; inspection line: 903-731-8435
Email: permits@palestine-tx.org
Website: https://www.cityofpalestinetx.com/179/Development-Services

Application Process

Complete the Construction Permit Application.
Assemble the required digital plan set. For residential new houses: site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, cross-section plan, electrical plan, roof and floor framing, elevation, and residential energy compliance or third-party documentation. For commercial new buildings: site, civil, landscape, and drainage plans.
Email the permit request package to permits@palestine-tx.org. Incomplete submittals will not be processed.
Development Services reviews the plans and assesses fees under the current fee schedule.
After permit issuance, request inspections by email or phone. Requests submitted by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day.

Source: Development Services

General Requirements

Development Services states permitting covers building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, remodel, new construction, demolition, and signage. Approvals are required before construction, installation, or major site work. The code-enforcement page expressly references reporting work being done without a required building permit.

Required Documents

Complete permit application
Applicable digital plans and supporting drawings
Trade contractors and license numbers as listed on the application
For residential: site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, cross-section plan, electrical plan, roof and floor framing, elevation, and residential energy compliance or third-party documentation
For commercial: site, civil, landscape, and drainage plans

Building code: 2018 IBC, 2018 IFC, 2018 IEBC, 2018 IECC, 2018 IRC, 2018 IMC, 2018 IPMC, 2018 IPC, 2018 IFGC, and 2023 NEC. The Code Adoption page also lists 2021 codes as proposed, and 2025 hearing notices show the city was considering code updates. Applicants should confirm whether any post-website update has taken effect.
Contractor requirements: Contractor registration is required for all work in the city, with a $125 annual fee waived for TDLR-licensed trades. Trade permit work requires applicable trade contractor information and license numbers on the permit application.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $50 (driveway and fence permits); $75 residential demolition; $80 certificate of occupancy; $105 each for mechanical, electrical, or plumbing trade permits
Plan check fee: Residential new or master plan review: $210 per unit or address. Commercial plan review: valuation based.
Permit fee formula: Mixed. New residential building permits are square-foot based; many miscellaneous permits are flat-fee; commercial plan review and inspection fees are valuation based.
Trade permit fee: Separate from building-permit fees; contractor registration fee is $125 annually, waived for TDLR-licensed trades
Penalty (no permit): Permit fees may be doubled if work begins before a required permit is issued
Payment note: Verify all fees with Development Services. Trade permit fees and contractor registration are separate from building-permit fees.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Development Services to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Email inspection requests (email)
Phone inspection requests (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Requests submitted by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day

Typical inspection sequence: Order of Inspections sheet lists: plumbing rough-in, temporary power pole, slab inspection, then framing-stage trade inspections before framing inspection.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2018 IBC, 2018 IFC, 2018 IEBC, 2018 IECC, 2018 IRC, 2018 IMC, 2018 IPMC, 2018 IPC, 2018 IFGC, and 2023 NEC. The Code Adoption page also lists 2021 codes as proposed, and 2025 hearing notices show the city was considering code updates. Applicants should confirm whether any post-website update has taken effect.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Development Services
Code Adoption
Planning and Zoning
Zoning Ordinance PDF
License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Development Services before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palestine Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Palestine, TX?: Development Services states permitting covers building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, remodel, new construction, demolition, and signage. Approvals are required before construction, installation, or major site work. The code-enforcement page expressly references reporting work being done without a required building permit.
How much does a building permit cost in Palestine, TX?: The minimum permit fee is $50 (driveway and fence permits); $75 residential demolition; $80 certificate of occupancy; $105 each for mechanical, electrical, or plumbing trade permits. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. New residential building permits are square-foot based; many miscellaneous permits are flat-fee; commercial plan review and inspection fees are valuation based.. Plan check fee: Residential new or master plan review: $210 per unit or address. Commercial plan review: valuation based..
How do I apply for a building permit in Palestine, TX?: 1. Complete the Construction Permit Application. 2. Assemble the required digital plan set. For residential new houses: site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, cross-section plan, electrical plan, roof and floor framing, elevation, and residential energy compliance or third-party documentation. For commercial new buildings: site, civil, landscape, and drainage plans. 3. Email the permit request package to permits@palestine-tx.org. Incomplete submittals will not be processed. 4. Development Services reviews the plans and assesses fees under the current fee schedule. 5. After permit issuance, request inspections by email or phone. Requests submitted by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Palestine, TX?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Email inspection requests, Phone inspection requests. Requests submitted by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Palestine can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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