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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Aransas Pass
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.
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)
- Exempt Cabinets
- Exempt Carpeting
- Exempt Painting
- Exempt Trim work
- Exempt Wallpapering
- Exempt Replacing fixtures on existing wiring or plumbing
- Exempt Small detached accessory structures (see residential exempt list)
- Exempt Certain fences (see residential exempt list)
- Exempt Certain retaining walls (see residential exempt list)
- Exempt Limited finish work (see residential exempt list)
- Exempt Minor electrical repairs (see residential exempt list)
- Exempt Certain portable mechanical equipment (see residential exempt list)
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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.
- Permit validity
- No public permit-expiration rule was identified in the reviewed Aransas Pass materials.
- 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.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general turnaround time was identified in the reviewed Aransas Pass materials.
- 01 Confirm the parcel is inside Aransas Pass city limits and specifically in the Aransas County portion if county-specific routing matters.
- 02 Register as a contractor in OpenGov if you will be pulling permits. The city states only registered contractors can pull permits.
- 03 Submit the permit or certificate of occupancy application in OpenGov. The department states the permit system is now completely digital.
- 04 Upload plans and supporting documents and respond to staff comments through OpenGov.
- 05 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.
- 06 Post the green placard at the job site and schedule inspections through OpenGov or by calling ahead.
- 07 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Aransas Pass building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$35 administrative fee on each issued permit (no universal minimum stated)
02
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.
03
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.
04
Trade permit fee
$0.10 per square foot per trade
05
Reinspection fee
$25 for all trades
06
Penalty (no permit)
Permit fees are doubled for work started without a permit; plus a $300 administrative fee if work is already complete.
The city states permits are not issued until fees are paid. Separate online-payment processing notes were not identified.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Aransas Pass permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Aransas Pass, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in Aransas Pass, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Aransas Pass, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Aransas Pass, TX, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Aransas Pass, TX? ▸
Building permit processing times in Aransas Pass, TX typically run No general turnaround time was identified in the reviewed Aransas Pass materials.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Aransas Pass, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Aransas Pass, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Aransas Pass, TX 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..
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.