City Building Permits
Garland, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Garland, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Texas Dallas County Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
All properties within the City of Garland.
- Department
- Building Inspection Department / Development and Permitting Center
- Address
- 800 Main Street, 1st Floor, Garland, TX 75040
- Phone
- 972-205-2000
- permits@garlandtx.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: City-hosted custom portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Determine permit type (residential or commercial).
- For commercial: contact Plans Examiner to discuss requirements.
- For commercial: obtain civil plan approval from Engineering Department.
- Register all contractors with Building Inspection Department.
- Prepare complete application package with required documents.
- Submit application online via portal or USB with paper copy to Development and Permitting Center.
- Pay 25% processing fee at submittal.
- Await plan review and permit issuance.
- Pay remaining permit fees upon approval.
- Post permit on-site and commence work.
- Schedule and pass required inspections.
Typical processing time: Not published; contact Plans Examiner at 972-205-2300 for current estimates
Source: Building Inspection Department / Development and Permitting Center
General Requirements
A building permit is required for any new construction, addition, repair, alteration, demolition, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, fencing, swimming pools, carports, patio covers, retaining walls, foundation repair, signs, driveways/sidewalks, and alarm systems within Garland (per Chapter 30 of Garland City Code).
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- For commercial: approved site plan from Engineering
- For commercial: cover sheet with Code Analysis
- Structural plans
- Building exterior elevations with material specifications
- Mechanical plans
- Electrical plans
- Plumbing plans
- Energy calculation sheets (COM Check or IC3 preferred for commercial)
- All documents submitted on USB in PDF format plus paper copy of application
- Permit validity
- 730 calendar days (2 years) after issuance if no inspection performed, or 730 days after last inspection showing progress
- Building code
- 2015 International Building Code (IBC), 2015 International Residential Code (IRC), 2015 International Fire Code (IFC), 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2015 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2015 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), and 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC)
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may pull permits for their primary residence if they own the home, live in it, and it is homesteaded through the Dallas Central Appraisal District. Must obtain Homeowner's Affidavit in lieu of contractor registration.
- Contractor requirements
- All MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) contractors and irrigators must hold valid Texas state licenses. All contractors and subcontractors must be registered with the City of Building Inspection Department before permit issuance.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $140 (remodel/interior completion/shell building/canopy minimum)
- Plan check fee
- 25% processing fee at time of submittal (non-refundable, separate from base permit fee)
- Permit fee formula
- $4.50 per $1,000 of construction valuation; minimum $1,000 for new construction/additions
- Trade permit fee
- Applied to each applicable trade
- Reinspection fee
- Designated in Master Fee and Rate Schedule, Article VII, Section 10.85
- Penalty (no permit)
- Permit fees may be doubled for work commenced before permit issuance
- Payment note
- 25% processing fee due at submittal; remaining permit fees due upon approval and before permit issuance
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Building Inspection Department / Development and Permitting Center to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 24-hour inspection request line (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests submitted before midnight scheduled for next business day
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday; city makes every effort for same-business-day inspections
- Time windows
- Foundation inspections scheduled a.m./p.m. format
Typical inspection sequence: Typical residential/commercial sequence: Foundation (before pour), Framing (before insulation/drywall), MEP rough-in (mechanical, electrical, plumbing before closing walls), Insulation, Final inspection (green-tag), Certificate of Occupancy inspection (commercial/non-residential)
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2015 International Building Code (IBC), 2015 International Residential Code (IRC), 2015 International Fire Code (IFC), 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2015 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2015 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), and 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC)
- Verify contractor license: Contractor Registration Application
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Interactive Zoning Map
- Garland Development Code
- Types of Building and Construction Permits
- Forms and Applications
- 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 Building Inspection Department / Development and Permitting Center before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garland Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Garland, TX?
- A building permit is required for any new construction, addition, repair, alteration, demolition, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, fencing, swimming pools, carports, patio covers, retaining walls, foundation repair, signs, driveways/sidewalks, and alarm systems within Garland (per Chapter 30 of Garland City Code).
- How much does a building permit cost in Garland, TX?
- The minimum permit fee is $140 (remodel/interior completion/shell building/canopy minimum). Fees are calculated as: $4.50 per $1,000 of construction valuation; minimum $1,000 for new construction/additions. Plan check fee: 25% processing fee at time of submittal (non-refundable, separate from base permit fee).
- How do I apply for a building permit in Garland, TX?
- 1. Determine permit type (residential or commercial). 2. For commercial: contact Plans Examiner to discuss requirements. 3. For commercial: obtain civil plan approval from Engineering Department. 4. Register all contractors with Building Inspection Department. 5. Prepare complete application package with required documents. 6. Submit application online via portal or USB with paper copy to Development and Permitting Center. 7. Pay 25% processing fee at submittal. 8. Await plan review and permit issuance. 9. Pay remaining permit fees upon approval. 10. Post permit on-site and commence work. 11. Schedule and pass required inspections.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Garland, TX?
- Typical processing time is Not published; contact Plans Examiner at 972-205-2300 for current estimates.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Garland, TX?
- The following work is generally exempt: Routine maintenance and minor repairs not altering structure, systems, or use; Fence installation/replacement on non-corner lots without rear-yard pool, without height/location/material changes; Cosmetic interior work (painting, flooring, cabinet replacement) without structural or electrical/plumbing/mechanical changes; Garage sales (appear not to require standard building permit). Note: Garland does not publish formal no-permit-required list. Department instructs to call 972-205-2300 or email buildinginspections@garlandtx.gov before starting any project if doubtful. The Garland Development Code (effective May 19, 2015) changed zoning allowances; check with Building Inspections before purchasing materials.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Garland, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 24-hour inspection request line. Requests submitted before midnight scheduled for next business day.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Garland can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works 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.
Other cities in Dallas County
View all Dallas County jurisdictions →