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

The minimum permit fee is $35.00 permit issuance fee. For commercial building permits, valuation under $1,000.00 without inspection is listed as no fee; with inspection, the schedule lists $30.00 plus permit issuance fee.. Fees are calculated as: New single-family and duplex residential construction is $0.70 per square foot, rounded up, plus the $35.00 permit issuance fee. Commercial building permits are valuation-based.. Plan check fee: Permit and inspection fees are embedded in the master fee schedule by permit type.

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

1. Download the correct application from the Sealy Document Center or Permit and License Applications page. 2. Submit the application for construction or repair with the appropriate supporting documents and plan review materials to the Planning Department at 405 Main Street. 3. City staff coordinates permit processing, while Bureau Veritas handles most residential and commercial inspections and CURT Services handles fire reviews and inspections. 4. Pay permit, contractor registration, and any applicable review fees. 5. Complete the required inspections through the city's coordinated inspection process. 6. Obtain certificate of occupancy or other final approval where required.

What work is exempt from building permits in Sealy, TX?

The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary minor construction, alteration, or repairs may be made without a permit upon approval of the building official, provided no inspection is required and the total valuation stays within the ordinance's minor-work standard. Note: No single public exempt-work list was found on the building page.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Planning Department.

City Building Permits

Sealy, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Austin County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Applies within the City of Sealy city limits. Verify parcel location if a tract is near the city boundary or ETJ.

Department: Planning and Community Development Department, Building - Health - Code Enforcement
Address: 405 Main Street, Sealy, TX 77474
Phone: 979-885-1669
Website: https://www.ci.sealy.tx.us/departments/planning_and_community_development/building_and_inspection.php

Online Permit Portal

Open City of Sealy Building and Inspection

Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Download the correct application from the Sealy Document Center or Permit and License Applications page.
Submit the application for construction or repair with the appropriate supporting documents and plan review materials to the Planning Department at 405 Main Street.
City staff coordinates permit processing, while Bureau Veritas handles most residential and commercial inspections and CURT Services handles fire reviews and inspections.
Pay permit, contractor registration, and any applicable review fees.
Complete the required inspections through the city's coordinated inspection process.
Obtain certificate of occupancy or other final approval where required.

Source: Planning and Community Development Department, Building - Health - Code Enforcement

General Requirements

Building permits include residential, commercial, accessory structures, signs, roofs, fences over 7 feet in height, MEP work, fire systems, pools and spas, commercial safety inspections, variance requests, multifamily licensing, and manufactured home placement and safety inspections. The ordinance set also requires permits for regulated electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical work.

Required Documents

Permit application
Appropriate documents and plan review checklist materials
Residential and commercial plan review checklists
Permit-specific forms for building, mechanical, plumbing, sign, roof, swimming pool, and manufactured home work

Building code: 2018 IBC, 2018 IEBC, 2018 IRC, 2018 IMC, 2018 IPC, 2018 UPC, 2018 IPMC, 2018 IECC, 2018 IFC, 2018 IFGC, 2018 ISPSC, and 2017 NEC, with local amendments.
Owner-builder: Homeowners working on their own homestead and performing the work themselves are exempt from needing to be licensed by the city.
Contractor requirements: Sealy ordinance requires licensed maintenance and construction/trades personnel where state or local law regulates licensing; where state law or local ordinance does not regulate licensing, the contractor and/or trade personnel must provide the city a permit and license bond in the amount of $10,000. The city also charges a yearly contractor registration fee.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $35.00 permit issuance fee. For commercial building permits, valuation under $1,000.00 without inspection is listed as no fee; with inspection, the schedule lists $30.00 plus permit issuance fee.
Plan check fee: Permit and inspection fees are embedded in the master fee schedule by permit type
Permit fee formula: New single-family and duplex residential construction is $0.70 per square foot, rounded up, plus the $35.00 permit issuance fee. Commercial building permits are valuation-based.
Trade permit fee: Separate trade permits have their own fee formulas
Reinspection fee: Contractor registration is $100.00 yearly. Reinspection fees are $75.00 for the first, second, and third reinspection under many permit categories. Fees are doubled if work begins before a valid permit is issued.
Penalty (no permit): Fees are doubled if work begins before a valid permit is issued
Payment note: Master fee schedule is approved by ordinance. Reinspection fees must be paid before reinspection.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Ordinary minor construction, alteration, or repairs may be made without a permit upon approval of the building official, provided no inspection is required and the total valuation stays within the ordinance's minor-work standard

Important: No single public exempt-work list was found on the building page.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Planning Department (in-person)

Typical inspection sequence: Permitting and inspections are coordinated through the Planning Department; third-party inspections are primarily performed by Bureau Veritas, with fire inspections by CURT Services. Application, plan review, permit issuance, staged trade and building inspections, then certificate of occupancy or final approval as applicable.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2018 IBC, 2018 IEBC, 2018 IRC, 2018 IMC, 2018 IPC, 2018 UPC, 2018 IPMC, 2018 IECC, 2018 IFC, 2018 IFGC, 2018 ISPSC, and 2017 NEC, with local amendments.
Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Permit Forms
Building Code Ordinance
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 Planning and Community Development Department, Building - Health - Code Enforcement before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sealy Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Sealy, TX?: Building permits include residential, commercial, accessory structures, signs, roofs, fences over 7 feet in height, MEP work, fire systems, pools and spas, commercial safety inspections, variance requests, multifamily licensing, and manufactured home placement and safety inspections. The ordinance set also requires permits for regulated electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical work.
How much does a building permit cost in Sealy, TX?: The minimum permit fee is $35.00 permit issuance fee. For commercial building permits, valuation under $1,000.00 without inspection is listed as no fee; with inspection, the schedule lists $30.00 plus permit issuance fee.. Fees are calculated as: New single-family and duplex residential construction is $0.70 per square foot, rounded up, plus the $35.00 permit issuance fee. Commercial building permits are valuation-based.. Plan check fee: Permit and inspection fees are embedded in the master fee schedule by permit type.
How do I apply for a building permit in Sealy, TX?: 1. Download the correct application from the Sealy Document Center or Permit and License Applications page. 2. Submit the application for construction or repair with the appropriate supporting documents and plan review materials to the Planning Department at 405 Main Street. 3. City staff coordinates permit processing, while Bureau Veritas handles most residential and commercial inspections and CURT Services handles fire reviews and inspections. 4. Pay permit, contractor registration, and any applicable review fees. 5. Complete the required inspections through the city's coordinated inspection process. 6. Obtain certificate of occupancy or other final approval where required.
What work is exempt from building permits in Sealy, TX?: The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary minor construction, alteration, or repairs may be made without a permit upon approval of the building official, provided no inspection is required and the total valuation stays within the ordinance's minor-work standard. Note: No single public exempt-work list was found on the building page.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Sealy, TX?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Planning Department.

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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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