Johnson City, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within Johnson City corporate limits.

Department

Development Services

Address

City Hall, 303 E. Pecan Dr., Johnson City, TX 78636

Phone

830-868-7111

Email

rschroder@johnsoncitytx.org

Website

https://www.johnsoncitytx.org/departments/permits/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is inside Johnson City corporate limits and identify the permit type from Development Services permit guidance.
2. Download the applicable residential or commercial building permit form and supporting checklist from the city's permits pages.
3. Assemble the required submittal package: for residential work, the city requires permit application, plot plan, energy compliance report, engineered foundation plans and letters, house plan set, engineered driveway approach plans where applicable, and drainage culvert plans. For commercial work, require the permit application plus full site-development and plan-set checklist.
4. Submit the complete package to city staff. Commercial checklist requires all required items submitted electronically together in one complete package before the city will accept the application for review.
5. Bureau Veritas performs plan review and may contact the applicant for questions or revisions during review.
6. Pay the building permit fee, plan review fee, and any utility or related fees assessed by the city.
7. Request inspections through city staff. The city coordinates Bureau Veritas inspections.
8. Obtain final inspection and, for commercial structures, a certificate of occupancy before occupancy. For single-family homes, a building final is sufficient instead of a certificate of occupancy.

Source: Development Services

General Requirements

Permits required for new construction, additions, remodels, finish-outs, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, signs, fences, accessory structures, irrigation, swimming pools, demolition, driveways, encroachments, floodplain permits, and related development approvals.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Plot plan
• Energy compliance report
• Engineered foundation plans and letters
• House plans (residential) or sealed plan set (commercial)
• Engineered driveway approach plans where applicable
• Drainage culvert plans
• Site development permit application (commercial)
• Floodplain permit if applicable
• Water and wastewater capacity request (commercial)
• Fire code review submittal (commercial)
• Other checklist items depending on project type

Permit validity

Permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 365 days. All permits require final inspection, and a final inspection and/or certificate of occupancy must be issued before any building is occupied.

Building code

2015 IRC, 2015 IBC, 2015 NEC, 2015 IPC, 2015 IMC, 2015 IECC, 2015 International Fuel and Gas Code, 2015 IFC, 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and 2015 International Property Maintenance Code.

Contractor requirements

Permit forms request contractor contact information and license numbers for general, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, design, and TPO energy participants.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential: $2.32 per square foot (1-200 sq ft); Commercial: $29.65 (valuation $1.00-$500.00)

Plan check fee

Residential plan review is 35% of the building permit fee. Commercial plan review is 65% of the building permit fee. Withdrawn or changed plans are also charged at 65% of the building permit fee.

Permit fee formula

Residential building permits are square-footage-based. Commercial building permits are valuation-based. Many accessory permit types use flat fees.

Reinspection fee

$177.93 per hour. Inspections outside normal business hours are $73.54 per hour.

Penalty (no permit)

Work performed without a permit is charged at double the standard permit fee.

Payment note

Credit-card processing is charged at actual cost. Other city charges may also include actual cost lines.

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

• 830-868-7111 ext. 8 (phone)
• rschroder@johnsoncitytx.org (email)

Typical inspection sequence: Common residential inspections: T-pole, plumbing rough, water service, yard sewer, form survey, foundation, electric rough, mechanical rough, gas rough piping/test, plumbing top out, framing, energy insulation, construction electric, gas final, electrical final, plumbing final, mechanical final, energy final, building final, and customer service inspection form. Common commercial inspections include those items plus pier or footing, retaining wall, sprinkler or double check, backflow, mechanical underground, gas wrap, drywall, flatwork, and other trade-specific stages.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2015 IRC, 2015 IBC, 2015 NEC, 2015 IPC, 2015 IMC, 2015 IECC, 2015 International Fuel and Gas Code, 2015 IFC, 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and 2015 International Property Maintenance Code.
• Verify contractor license: TDLR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permits and Development Services
• Permitting Forms
• Certificate of Occupancy FAQs
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Johnson City, TX?

Permits required for new construction, additions, remodels, finish-outs, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, signs, fences, accessory structures, irrigation, swimming pools, demolition, driveways, encroachments, floodplain permits, and related development approvals.

How much does a building permit cost in Johnson City, TX?

The minimum permit fee is Residential: $2.32 per square foot (1-200 sq ft); Commercial: $29.65 (valuation $1.00-$500.00). Fees are calculated as: Residential building permits are square-footage-based. Commercial building permits are valuation-based. Many accessory permit types use flat fees.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review is 35% of the building permit fee. Commercial plan review is 65% of the building permit fee. Withdrawn or changed plans are also charged at 65% of the building permit fee..

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

1. Confirm the parcel is inside Johnson City corporate limits and identify the permit type from Development Services permit guidance. 2. Download the applicable residential or commercial building permit form and supporting checklist from the city's permits pages. 3. Assemble the required submittal package: for residential work, the city requires permit application, plot plan, energy compliance report, engineered foundation plans and letters, house plan set, engineered driveway approach plans where applicable, and drainage culvert plans. For commercial work, require the permit application plus full site-development and plan-set checklist. 4. Submit the complete package to city staff. Commercial checklist requires all required items submitted electronically together in one complete package before the city will accept the application for review. 5. Bureau Veritas performs plan review and may contact the applicant for questions or revisions during review. 6. Pay the building permit fee, plan review fee, and any utility or related fees assessed by the city. 7. Request inspections through city staff. The city coordinates Bureau Veritas inspections. 8. Obtain final inspection and, for commercial structures, a certificate of occupancy before occupancy. For single-family homes, a building final is sufficient instead of a certificate of occupancy.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Johnson City, TX?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 830-868-7111 ext. 8, rschroder@johnsoncitytx.org.

Other cities in Blanco County