Somerville, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within the City of Somerville. Burleson County's permit page directs city residents to Somerville for floodplain information rather than the county.

Department

Building and Manufactured Home Permits, City of Somerville

Address

150 8th Street, Somerville, TX 77879

Phone

979-596-1122

Email

permittingcos@somervilletx.gov

Website

https://somervilletx.gov/services/permits.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Contact the city permit office or download the applicable permit form from the city permit page.
2. Prepare the permit package. The building permit application requires a dimensional site plan, all property lines, easements and setbacks, all existing and proposed structures including paving, existing and proposed floor plans if altering, scope of work, and attached inspector requirements.
3. Submit the application to the city permit office. The city lists Melissa Williams as the contact and states applications can also be picked up at City Hall.
4. Allow at least ten business days for plan review. The building permit form states that resubmittals are subject to the same timeframe.
5. Pay the applicable base permit fee, plan review fee, permit fee, and any trade permit fees. The city states no paid fees will be refunded or transferred.
6. Post the permit at the jobsite, complete all required trade and building inspections, and schedule inspections through SafeBuilt at least 24 hours in advance.
7. Obtain final approval before occupancy. The city fee schedule and permit forms indicate that separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fuel gas permits may also be required.

Typical processing time: Minimum 10 business days for plan review and resubmittals, according to the building permit application. SafeBuilt inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and are only available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Source: Building and Manufactured Home Permits, City of Somerville

General Requirements

The city fee schedule states permits are required for new construction, including placement of manufactured homes and certain accessory buildings, alterations or additions to existing buildings or structures, demolitions, and relocation of buildings. The city states permits are not required for ordinary repairs or minor work as defined in the adopted codes.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Dimensional site plan
• Property lines, easements, setbacks, and existing and proposed structures
• Existing and proposed floor plan if altering
• Scope of work and inspector requirements
• Trade permit applications where applicable

Permit validity

The building permit application states the permit becomes null and void if work does not commence within 180 days, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement.

Building code

The city's 2023 fee schedule states Somerville's building codes are the 2018 editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Property Maintenance Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and International Existing Building Code, plus the 2017 National Electrical Code.

Owner-builder

No separate public owner-builder summary was found in the reviewed materials.

Contractor requirements

The fee schedule states any person, firm, or corporation performing electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or fire protection services must hold the appropriate unexpired Texas license and meet state and city insurance requirements. All contractors must provide proof of insurance to the city in the amount of at least $300,000.00.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25.00

Plan check fee

$75.00 residential plan check fee. Commercial plan review fees are valuation-based, starting at $50.00 for valuations from $1.00 to $10,000.00 and increasing from there.

Permit fee formula

Somerville uses a mixed fee model. Residential fees are flat or square-foot based depending on project type, with a separate base fee and inspection fee. Commercial work uses both project-type fees and valuation-based plan review fees. The fee schedule says all building permit fees consist of a basic fee, inspection fees, and a calculated amount tied to project size or complexity.

Trade permit fee

Separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fuel gas permits may be required

Reinspection fee

Re-inspection fee is $50.00, second inspection $75.00, third inspection $100.00.

Penalty (no permit)

Work started before permit issuance may be charged double the total fee and all work must cease until the permit is issued.

Payment note

The city accepts after-hours payments through a 24/7 drop box outside City Hall and asks applicants to include name, project address, and permit number with payments. The building permit application states paid fees will not be refunded or transferred.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2023).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building and Manufactured Home Permits, City of Somerville to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• SafeBuilt (Third-party Inspection Service) (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance through the city or the city's stated inspection service workflow.

Inspection hours

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only. No inspections available on City Hall holidays.

Typical inspection sequence: The city publicly confirms required inspections through SafeBuilt and separate trade permits for electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, or air conditioning. A full city-published inspection sequence was not found in the reviewed materials.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The city's 2023 fee schedule states Somerville's building codes are the 2018 editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Property Maintenance Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and International Existing Building Code, plus the 2017 National Electrical Code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permits Page
• Ordinances
• Development Standards
• Planning and Zoning Agendas
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Somerville Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Somerville, TX?

The city fee schedule states permits are required for new construction, including placement of manufactured homes and certain accessory buildings, alterations or additions to existing buildings or structures, demolitions, and relocation of buildings. The city states permits are not required for ordinary repairs or minor work as defined in the adopted codes.

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

The minimum permit fee is $25.00. Fees are calculated as: Somerville uses a mixed fee model. Residential fees are flat or square-foot based depending on project type, with a separate base fee and inspection fee. Commercial work uses both project-type fees and valuation-based plan review fees. The fee schedule says all building permit fees consist of a basic fee, inspection fees, and a calculated amount tied to project size or complexity.. Plan check fee: $75.00 residential plan check fee. Commercial plan review fees are valuation-based, starting at $50.00 for valuations from $1.00 to $10,000.00 and increasing from there..

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

1. Contact the city permit office or download the applicable permit form from the city permit page. 2. Prepare the permit package. The building permit application requires a dimensional site plan, all property lines, easements and setbacks, all existing and proposed structures including paving, existing and proposed floor plans if altering, scope of work, and attached inspector requirements. 3. Submit the application to the city permit office. The city lists Melissa Williams as the contact and states applications can also be picked up at City Hall. 4. Allow at least ten business days for plan review. The building permit form states that resubmittals are subject to the same timeframe. 5. Pay the applicable base permit fee, plan review fee, permit fee, and any trade permit fees. The city states no paid fees will be refunded or transferred. 6. Post the permit at the jobsite, complete all required trade and building inspections, and schedule inspections through SafeBuilt at least 24 hours in advance. 7. Obtain final approval before occupancy. The city fee schedule and permit forms indicate that separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fuel gas permits may also be required.

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

Typical processing time is Minimum 10 business days for plan review and resubmittals, according to the building permit application. SafeBuilt inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and are only available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs or minor work as defined in the adopted codes. Note: No broader standalone public exempt-work list was found beyond the city's statement tying exemptions to ordinary repairs or minor work under the adopted codes.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: SafeBuilt (Third-party Inspection Service). Inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance through the city or the city's stated inspection service workflow..

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