On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Smithville
Smithville's published permit sheet says permits are required for new homes, home additions, fences, decks, patios, carports, deck/patio covers, storage buildings, external garages, pools, and similar commercial and industrial construction.
Internal renovations
Roofing
Internal and external painting
HVAC system installation
- Exempt Internal renovations
- Exempt Roofing
- Exempt Internal and external painting
- Exempt HVAC system installation
Note: External painting in the Historic Commercial District requires a Certificate of Appropriateness. These exemptions are significantly more permissive than most jurisdictions; confirm status with City Hall.
Required documents
- To-scale drawing, preferably based on a plat or survey
- Exact plans showing proposed improvements and property details
- Contact information
- Setback/location information, dimensions, square footage
- North arrow
- Utility connection description where needed
- Completed building application form
- Building code
- The city adopted the 2006 International Building Code, 2006 International Residential Code, 2006 International Plumbing Code, and 2006 International Mechanical Code. The electrical code division uses older local provisions. Note: These are significantly outdated (2006 cycle). Applicants should confirm current enforcement practice directly with the city if a newer update has occurred but is not yet reflected in the posted code and forms.
- Permit validity
- The reviewed public sources did not clearly state a current permit-expiration period. Confirm with City Hall before relying on an assumption.
- Owner-builder
- Smithville's permit sheet states an individual may do foundation, roofing, and carpentry work themselves whether or not the property is their homestead. On a homestead, it may be possible to do most electrical and plumbing work without hiring a licensed plumber or electrician, but to do so the owner must have a signed and notarized affidavit on file at City Hall. A licensed plumber is always required for gas-related work.
- Contractor requirements
- If the property is not the owner's homestead, Smithville says the owner must hire a licensed plumber and/or electrician for electrical and plumbing projects. Gas work always requires a licensed plumber.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Up to 10 complete workdays for building plan review, according to the city's permit info sheet last revised October 4, 2022.
- 01 Contact City Hall at 317 Main Street or (512) 237-3282 to discuss the project and obtain the rules and ordinances that apply.
- 02 Prepare a to-scale drawing, preferably on a plat or survey, showing the proposed improvement, property lines, setbacks, dimensions, square footage, other structures on site, north arrow, and utility connection information where applicable.
- 03 Submit the plans and contact information to the city. Smithville says failure to provide clear and legible information can cause delays.
- 04 Wait for plan approval by the Building Official. Smithville's published info sheet says building plan review can take up to 10 complete workdays, counted from the day after submission.
- 05 Determine who will perform the work and whether licensed plumbing or electrical professionals are required. Smithville's published guidance distinguishes between homestead and non-homestead work and says a licensed plumber is always required for gas work.
- 06 Request inspections through City Hall as construction progresses, giving 24 hours notice at each inspection stage.
- 07 Where utility hookups are needed, coordinate with the Utility Department and pay any required deposit or tap fee.
Typical processing time: Up to 10 complete workdays for building plan review, according to the city's permit info sheet last revised October 4, 2022.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50 minimum permit fee for signs, building demo, pool, and fence permits.
02
Plan check fee
Residential plan review is 30% of permit; commercial plan review is 0.5% of total construction.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Building permit fees at $0.45 per square foot. Residential plan review at 30% of permit. Commercial plan review at 0.5% of total construction. Separate flat fees for pools, remodels, electrical, plumbing, and related permits.
04
Trade permit fee
Separate flat fees for electrical, plumbing, and related permits listed in 2025 fee schedule.
05
Reinspection fee
$75 reinspection fee. The building code itself states a person who fails to pull a required permit is charged the permit fee plus a penalty of two times that amount, making the total three times the normal permit amount.
06
Penalty (no permit)
Penalty for not pulling a permit: 3 times the permit fee (permit fee + 2x penalty).
No dedicated online building-permit payment instructions identified on reviewed pages.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (512) 237-3282 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- 24 hours notice required
Typical sequence: Foundation and framing inspection; rough-in plumbing and electrical inspection; final inspection.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Smithville permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Smithville, TX? ▸
Smithville's published permit sheet says permits are required for new homes, home additions, fences, decks, patios, carports, deck/patio covers, storage buildings, external garages, pools, and similar commercial and industrial construction.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Smithville, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in Smithville, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50 minimum permit fee for signs, building demo, pool, and fence permits.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Building permit fees at $0.45 per square foot. Residential plan review at 30% of permit. Commercial plan review at 0.5% of total construction. Separate flat fees for pools, remodels, electrical, plumbing, and related permits.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review is 30% of permit; commercial plan review is 0.5% of total construction..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Smithville, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Smithville, TX, follow these steps: 1. Contact City Hall at 317 Main Street or (512) 237-3282 to discuss the project and obtain the rules and ordinances that apply. 2. Prepare a to-scale drawing, preferably on a plat or survey, showing the proposed improvement, property lines, setbacks, dimensions, square footage, other structures on site, north arrow, and utility connection information where applicable. 3. Submit the plans and contact information to the city. Smithville says failure to provide clear and legible information can cause delays. 4. Wait for plan approval by the Building Official. Smithville's published info sheet says building plan review can take up to 10 complete workdays, counted from the day after submission. 5. Determine who will perform the work and whether licensed plumbing or electrical professionals are required. Smithville's published guidance distinguishes between homestead and non-homestead work and says a licensed plumber is always required for gas work. 6. Request inspections through City Hall as construction progresses, giving 24 hours notice at each inspection stage. 7. Where utility hookups are needed, coordinate with the Utility Department and pay any required deposit or tap fee.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Smithville, TX? ▸
Building permit processing times in Smithville, TX typically run Up to 10 complete workdays for building plan review, according to the city's permit info sheet last revised October 4, 2022.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Smithville, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Smithville, TX. The following work is generally exempt: Internal renovations; Roofing; Internal and external painting; HVAC system installation. Note: External painting in the Historic Commercial District requires a Certificate of Appropriateness. These exemptions are significantly more permissive than most jurisdictions; confirm status with City Hall. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Smithville, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Smithville, TX via: (512) 237-3282. 24 hours notice required.
last verified April 2026
source City of Smithville City Hall / Building Inspector ↗
entry id permits/texas/bastrop/smithville
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Smithville City Hall / Building Inspector before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.