Aransas Pass, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Aransas Pass extends beyond Aransas County. This section covers only property inside the Aransas County portion of Aransas Pass. Parcel-level city and county verification is important before relying on city permit rules.

Department

Building Department

Address

601 N Avenue A, Aransas Pass, TX 78336

Phone

(361) 758-3111, Option 3

Email

building@aptx.gov

Website

https://www.aptx.gov/210/Building-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is inside Aransas Pass city limits and specifically in the Aransas County portion if county-specific routing matters.
2. Register as a contractor in OpenGov if you will be pulling permits. The city states only registered contractors can pull permits.
3. Submit the permit or certificate of occupancy application in OpenGov. The department states the permit system is now completely digital.
4. Upload plans and supporting documents and respond to staff comments through OpenGov.
5. Pay permit fees after approval. The city states permits are not valid or issued until the application and plans are approved and the permit fees are paid.
6. Post the green placard at the job site and schedule inspections through OpenGov or by calling ahead.
7. Obtain final inspections and certificate of occupancy where applicable before occupancy or business operation.

Typical processing time: No general turnaround time was identified in the reviewed Aransas Pass materials.

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

Aransas Pass states permits are required when building, remodeling, or enlarging a building, and also for other improvements to property. The city also requires certificates of occupancy before opening a new business or after change of ownership, tenant, name, use, location, or expansion into an adjacent suite.

Required Documents

• General permit application with project class, trade, site address, square footage, job valuation, owner and contractor information, contractor license number, building type, and description of work
• Manufactured-home checklist: building permit application, HUD-age verification, site plan where applicable, TDHCA notice of installation, and separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits

Permit validity

No public permit-expiration rule was identified in the reviewed Aransas Pass materials.

Building code

2018 International Building Code; 2018 International Mechanical Code; 2018 International Plumbing Code; 2018 International Existing Building Code; 2018 International Residential Code; 2017 National Electrical Code; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code.

Owner-builder

No public owner-builder rule was identified in the reviewed Aransas Pass materials.

Contractor requirements

Only registered contractors can pull permits. Contractor registration in OpenGov is required, with a $100 contractor registration fee. State licenses are required where Texas law requires them.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$35 administrative fee on each issued permit (no universal minimum stated)

Plan check fee

Residential plan review at $50 and commercial plan review at $100 or one-third of the commercial building permit fee depending on project type.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. The 2023 permit application shows a $35 administrative fee and $0.06 per gross square foot for new construction. The 2023 fee-schedule ordinance draft shows residential new construction at $0.65 per square foot, trade permits at $0.10 per square foot per trade, additions at $0.45 per square foot, remodels at $40 per required inspection, and commercial/accessory permit fees based on valuation.

Trade permit fee

$0.10 per square foot per trade

Reinspection fee

$25 for all trades

Penalty (no permit)

Permit fees are doubled for work started without a permit; plus a $300 administrative fee if work is already complete.

Payment note

The city states permits are not issued until fees are paid. Separate online-payment processing notes were not identified.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Cabinets
• Carpeting
• Painting
• Trim work
• Wallpapering
• Replacing fixtures on existing wiring or plumbing
• Small detached accessory structures (see residential exempt list)
• Certain fences (see residential exempt list)
• Certain retaining walls (see residential exempt list)
• Limited finish work (see residential exempt list)
• Minor electrical repairs (see residential exempt list)
• Certain portable mechanical equipment (see residential exempt list)
• Limited plumbing leak and stoppage repairs (see residential exempt list)

Important: Additional exempt-work items are published in the city's residential and commercial 'Projects Not Requiring Permits' PDF lists. Confirm with the Building Department before assuming work is exempt.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• OpenGov portal (online)
• Phone call-in (24 hours advance notice required) (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections must be called in 24 hours in advance by 4:00 p.m.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Permit intake stops at 4:30 p.m. on business days.

Typical inspection sequence: Not published as a single universal sequence in the reviewed materials. Inspections are performed on issued permits upon request, with project-specific sequence depending on scope.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 International Building Code; 2018 International Mechanical Code; 2018 International Plumbing Code; 2018 International Existing Building Code; 2018 International Residential Code; 2017 National Electrical Code; 2018 International Energy Conservation Code.
• Verify contractor license: Texas TDLR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• General Permit Application
• Contractor Registration Application
• Residential Exempt-Work List PDF
• Commercial Exempt-Work List PDF
• Planning Department
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Aransas Pass Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Aransas Pass, TX?

Aransas Pass states permits are required when building, remodeling, or enlarging a building, and also for other improvements to property. The city also requires certificates of occupancy before opening a new business or after change of ownership, tenant, name, use, location, or expansion into an adjacent suite.

How much does a building permit cost in Aransas Pass, TX?

The minimum permit fee is $35 administrative fee on each issued permit (no universal minimum stated). Fees are calculated as: Mixed. The 2023 permit application shows a $35 administrative fee and $0.06 per gross square foot for new construction. The 2023 fee-schedule ordinance draft shows residential new construction at $0.65 per square foot, trade permits at $0.10 per square foot per trade, additions at $0.45 per square foot, remodels at $40 per required inspection, and commercial/accessory permit fees based on valuation.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review at $50 and commercial plan review at $100 or one-third of the commercial building permit fee depending on project type..

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

1. Confirm the parcel is inside Aransas Pass city limits and specifically in the Aransas County portion if county-specific routing matters. 2. Register as a contractor in OpenGov if you will be pulling permits. The city states only registered contractors can pull permits. 3. Submit the permit or certificate of occupancy application in OpenGov. The department states the permit system is now completely digital. 4. Upload plans and supporting documents and respond to staff comments through OpenGov. 5. Pay permit fees after approval. The city states permits are not valid or issued until the application and plans are approved and the permit fees are paid. 6. Post the green placard at the job site and schedule inspections through OpenGov or by calling ahead. 7. Obtain final inspections and certificate of occupancy where applicable before occupancy or business operation.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Aransas Pass, TX?

Typical processing time is No general turnaround time was identified in the reviewed Aransas Pass materials..

What work is exempt from building permits in Aransas Pass, TX?

The following work is generally exempt: Cabinets; Carpeting; Painting; Trim work; Wallpapering; Replacing fixtures on existing wiring or plumbing; Small detached accessory structures (see residential exempt list); Certain fences (see residential exempt list); Certain retaining walls (see residential exempt list); Limited finish work (see residential exempt list); Minor electrical repairs (see residential exempt list); Certain portable mechanical equipment (see residential exempt list); Limited plumbing leak and stoppage repairs (see residential exempt list). Note: Additional exempt-work items are published in the city's residential and commercial 'Projects Not Requiring Permits' PDF lists. Confirm with the Building Department before assuming work is exempt.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Aransas Pass, TX?

Inspections can be scheduled via: OpenGov portal, Phone call-in (24 hours advance notice required). Inspections must be called in 24 hours in advance by 4:00 p.m..

Other cities in Aransas County