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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Richardson
A building permit is required for any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure within Richardson.
Detached utility/residential accessory structures under 1,000 sq ft (tool sheds, playhouses, etc.)
Residential decks without roofs, less than 30 inches above grade
Non-structural residential alterations (interior cosmetic work)
Fences not exceeding 6 feet in height
Retaining walls under 4 feet in height
Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade
Commercial painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, and cabinetry (finishes only)
Playground equipment for single-family and two-family homes
Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches
Residential floor/ceiling coverings, painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, interior wall decorations (refreshing existing surfaces only)
Lamp replacements and portable equipment connections (electrical)
Portable heating and cooling appliances (HVAC)
Minor appliance replacements (gas/mechanical)
Leak repairs in existing plumbing systems
Clearing stoppages without rearranging fixtures (plumbing)
- Exempt Detached utility/residential accessory structures under 1,000 sq ft (tool sheds, playhouses, etc.)
- Exempt Residential decks without roofs, less than 30 inches above grade
- Exempt Non-structural residential alterations (interior cosmetic work)
- Exempt Fences not exceeding 6 feet in height
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet in height
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade
- Exempt Commercial painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, and cabinetry (finishes only)
- Exempt Playground equipment for single-family and two-family homes
- Exempt Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches
- Exempt Residential floor/ceiling coverings, painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, interior wall decorations (refreshing existing surfaces only)
- Exempt Lamp replacements and portable equipment connections (electrical)
- Exempt Portable heating and cooling appliances (HVAC)
- Exempt Minor appliance replacements (gas/mechanical)
- Exempt Leak repairs in existing plumbing systems
- Exempt Clearing stoppages without rearranging fixtures (plumbing)
Note: Accessory structures over 40 sq ft require building permit; structures 150 sq ft or less require site sketch; over 150 sq ft require scaled drawings. Zoning permit may still be required even if building permit not required. Consult richardsoninspectionservices.com for additional details.
Required documents
- Completed Residential Building Permit Application
- Two sets of construction documents drawn to scale
- Computer-generated energy code compliance report (2021 IECC)
- Plot plan/site plan with distances to property lines
- Three sets of floor plans with room usages and door/window schedules
- For engineered foundations: signed and sealed plans from Texas-licensed Professional Engineer plus compliance letter
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), all with regional and local amendments
- Permit validity
- Not published in reviewed sources; consult department or Code of Ordinances
- Owner-builder
- Owner/Builder permits available; homeowners may obtain permits for owner-occupied residences in certain circumstances
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must register with Building Inspection Department prior to permit issuance. Registration fee: $100. Registration certificates valid for one year. State-licensed trades (electricians, plumbers, HVAC) must hold applicable Texas state licenses. Contractor registration must be current before online account can be opened.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not published; contact Plans Examiner for current estimates; Express Permitting guarantees 3 business days
- 01 Determine permit type (residential or commercial) from permit type pages.
- 02 Ensure contractor is registered with City of Richardson (if applicable).
- 03 Prepare required documents per project type.
- 04 Submit application via email to permits@cor.gov, hand delivery, or mail.
- 05 For plan-required projects, email submission is preferred.
- 06 Await plan review; standard processing times not publicly published.
- 07 Express Permitting available: guarantees 3 business days for qualifying small projects.
- 08 Once approved, pay permit fees.
- 09 Post permit on site as required.
- 10 Schedule required inspections online or by phone.
Typical processing time: Not published; contact Plans Examiner for current estimates; Express Permitting guarantees 3 business days
Source: Building Inspection Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Richardson building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not confirmed
02
Plan check fee
Plan review fee in addition to base permit fee; specific percentage not confirmed (approximately 65% of building permit fee based on neighboring jurisdiction data, but verify with Richardson)
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based fee structure per IBC framework; specific tiered formula in Permit Fee Schedule (contact department for current schedule)
04
Trade permit fee
Applied to qualifying projects
05
Reinspection fee
First inspection and one reinspection included in permit fee; each subsequent inspection beyond one included reinspection: $100
VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express accepted for online purchases; confirm payment method for in-person/email submissions
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Online portal (online)
- Building Inspection Department (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests submitted before 8:00 a.m.: morning window (8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.); after 8:00 a.m. and before noon: afternoon window (1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday; twice-daily inspections
- Time windows
- Morning: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; Afternoon: 1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Typical sequence: Typical residential sequence: Foundation (before pour), Rough framing/rough plumbing/rough electrical/rough mechanical (before covering walls), Insulation (before drywall), Final inspection (all systems complete). Confirm required sequence with Building Inspection at permit issuance.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Richardson permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Richardson, TX? ▸
A building permit is required for any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure within Richardson.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Richardson, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in Richardson, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Not confirmed. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based fee structure per IBC framework; specific tiered formula in Permit Fee Schedule (contact department for current schedule). Plan check fee: Plan review fee in addition to base permit fee; specific percentage not confirmed (approximately 65% of building permit fee based on neighboring jurisdiction data, but verify with Richardson).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Richardson, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Richardson, TX, follow these steps: 1. Determine permit type (residential or commercial) from permit type pages. 2. Ensure contractor is registered with City of Richardson (if applicable). 3. Prepare required documents per project type. 4. Submit application via email to permits@cor.gov, hand delivery, or mail. 5. For plan-required projects, email submission is preferred. 6. Await plan review; standard processing times not publicly published. 7. Express Permitting available: guarantees 3 business days for qualifying small projects. 8. Once approved, pay permit fees. 9. Post permit on site as required. 10. Schedule required inspections online or by phone.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Richardson, TX? ▸
Building permit processing times in Richardson, TX typically run Not published; contact Plans Examiner for current estimates; Express Permitting guarantees 3 business days. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Richardson, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Richardson, TX. The following work is generally exempt: Detached utility/residential accessory structures under 1,000 sq ft (tool sheds, playhouses, etc.); Residential decks without roofs, less than 30 inches above grade; Non-structural residential alterations (interior cosmetic work); Fences not exceeding 6 feet in height; Retaining walls under 4 feet in height; Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade; Commercial painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, and cabinetry (finishes only); Playground equipment for single-family and two-family homes; Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches; Residential floor/ceiling coverings, painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, interior wall decorations (refreshing existing surfaces only); Lamp replacements and portable equipment connections (electrical); Portable heating and cooling appliances (HVAC); Minor appliance replacements (gas/mechanical); Leak repairs in existing plumbing systems; Clearing stoppages without rearranging fixtures (plumbing). Note: Accessory structures over 40 sq ft require building permit; structures 150 sq ft or less require site sketch; over 150 sq ft require scaled drawings. Zoning permit may still be required even if building permit not required. Consult richardsoninspectionservices.com for additional details. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Richardson, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Richardson, TX via: Online portal, Building Inspection Department. Requests submitted before 8:00 a.m.: morning window (8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.); after 8:00 a.m. and before noon: afternoon window (1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.).
last verified April 2026
source Building Inspection Department ↗
entry id permits/texas/dallas/richardson
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Inspection Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.