Clarendon, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Clarendon. Clarendon's building-regulations ordinance expressly requires permits before a building or structure is constructed, erected, altered, demolished, moved, or placed within the city, and before site clearance, excavation, grading, or landfill work begins.

Department

City of Clarendon Code Compliance / Code Enforcement

Address

313 S. Sully Street, Clarendon, TX 79226

Phone

(806) 874-3438

Email

b.barboza@cityofclarendontx.com

Website

https://cityofclarendontx.com/code-compliance

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is inside Clarendon city limits and contact City Hall or Code Compliance before beginning work.
2. Determine the permit type with the city. Clarendon's ordinance requires appropriate permits before construction, alteration, demolition, movement, placement, site clearance, excavation, grading, or landfill work starts.
3. Submit the city form or application materials required for that permit type. Public ordinance text specifically confirms city forms for sign permits and a plat-backed application for water-well permits.
4. If the lot is in a subdivision, ensure final plat approval status is resolved before expecting permit issuance; the subdivision ordinance bars building permits on lots in unapproved subdivisions.
5. Pay the applicable city fee if one applies. Public fee amounts were found for sign permits and water-well permits, but not for a general building-fee schedule.
6. Complete any required city inspections or corrections. Public ordinances specifically mention inspections for moved-in houses, water wells, minor repairs reviewed by the code compliance officer, and unsafe or substandard structures.
7. Obtain city approval or permit issuance before commencing the regulated work.

Source: City of Clarendon Code Compliance / Code Enforcement

General Requirements

Section 3.01.001 states no building or structure or part thereof may be constructed, erected, altered, demolished, moved, or placed within the city unless all appropriate permits have first been issued. The same section states no site clearance, excavation, grading, or landfill on public or private land may begin unless all applicable permits have first been issued. Sign permits are required before erecting, replacing, altering, relocating, or repairing covered signs. Water-well permits are required before drilling a water well within city limits. The subdivision ordinance states no building permit may be issued for any lot or tract in a subdivision until the final plat has been approved.

Required Documents

• Water-well permit: application plus plat showing legal description, street address, property boundaries, well location, and proposed depth
• Sign permit: application on city forms with applicant, owner, installer, location, sign position, and any other information the city requires

Permit validity

Sign permits expire if the authorized work has not started within 60 days after issuance. No public general building-permit expiration rule was found.

Building code

The utilities chapter states the city has adopted the Uniform Plumbing Code and the International Plumbing Code as required by state statute and says buildings should be constructed in a fashion corresponding with International Code Council specifications. The substandard-buildings article states repairs required under that article are subject to all applicable sections of the building code as adopted by city council. A current public ordinance page clearly naming a full adopted IBC or IRC edition for general construction was not located.

Owner-builder

Section 3.01.001(d) states it is the responsibility of the homeowner or property owner to obtain the permit and confirm the contractor's insurances, warranties, licenses, and bond.

Contractor requirements

Section 3.01.001(d) places responsibility on the homeowner or property owner to confirm the contractor's insurances, warranties, licenses, and bond. No separate public Clarendon contractor-registration ordinance or contractor-license fee schedule was found in the sources reviewed.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$10.00 for sign permits; $50.00 for water-well applications

Permit fee formula

Sign permits: flat $10.00. Sign repair permits: flat $10.00. Water-well permits: flat nonrefundable administrative fee of $50.00. No public formula for a general building permit was found.

Penalty (no permit)

Work started before a required sign permit doubles the fee. Commencing work before a required permit is unlawful.

Payment note

No public online permit-payment workflow was found. Payment appears to be handled directly through city staff.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Signs up to 8 square feet advertising sale, rental, or lease of the premises
• Nameplates up to 1 square foot
• Temporary political signs for up to 6 weeks, with post-election removal rules
• Certain public, charitable, religious, city-promotional, temporary construction, occupational, memorial, governmental, directional, and specified window signs as listed in section 3.04.055
• Minor improvements and ordinary repairs without a permit when they conform to applicable building laws and codes, subject to the code compliance officer's right to inspect and determine whether a permit is necessary

Important: No public general exempt-work list for Clarendon building permits was found. The above sign exemptions are specific to sign permits.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours

City office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Water-well inspections are authorized during normal business hours.

Typical inspection sequence: Publicly documented sequence varies by permit type. General work: obtain permits before beginning construction or site work. Water wells: application, permit issuance, then city inspection access during normal business hours. Moved-in houses: plumbing and electrical work must remain visible for inspection before being covered. Minor improvements and ordinary repairs may be inspected by the code compliance officer to determine whether a permit is necessary.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The utilities chapter states the city has adopted the Uniform Plumbing Code and the International Plumbing Code as required by state statute and says buildings should be constructed in a fashion corresponding with International Code Council specifications. The substandard-buildings article states repairs required under that article are subject to all applicable sections of the building code as adopted by city council. A current public ordinance page clearly naming a full adopted IBC or IRC edition for general construction was not located.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• City Contact Page
• Code Compliance Page
• Code Enforcement Page
• Code of Ordinances
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarendon Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Clarendon, TX?

Section 3.01.001 states no building or structure or part thereof may be constructed, erected, altered, demolished, moved, or placed within the city unless all appropriate permits have first been issued. The same section states no site clearance, excavation, grading, or landfill on public or private land may begin unless all applicable permits have first been issued. Sign permits are required before erecting, replacing, altering, relocating, or repairing covered signs. Water-well permits are required before drilling a water well within city limits. The subdivision ordinance states no building permit may be issued for any lot or tract in a subdivision until the final plat has been approved.

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

The minimum permit fee is $10.00 for sign permits; $50.00 for water-well applications. Fees are calculated as: Sign permits: flat $10.00. Sign repair permits: flat $10.00. Water-well permits: flat nonrefundable administrative fee of $50.00. No public formula for a general building permit was found..

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

1. Confirm the parcel is inside Clarendon city limits and contact City Hall or Code Compliance before beginning work. 2. Determine the permit type with the city. Clarendon's ordinance requires appropriate permits before construction, alteration, demolition, movement, placement, site clearance, excavation, grading, or landfill work starts. 3. Submit the city form or application materials required for that permit type. Public ordinance text specifically confirms city forms for sign permits and a plat-backed application for water-well permits. 4. If the lot is in a subdivision, ensure final plat approval status is resolved before expecting permit issuance; the subdivision ordinance bars building permits on lots in unapproved subdivisions. 5. Pay the applicable city fee if one applies. Public fee amounts were found for sign permits and water-well permits, but not for a general building-fee schedule. 6. Complete any required city inspections or corrections. Public ordinances specifically mention inspections for moved-in houses, water wells, minor repairs reviewed by the code compliance officer, and unsafe or substandard structures. 7. Obtain city approval or permit issuance before commencing the regulated work.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Signs up to 8 square feet advertising sale, rental, or lease of the premises; Nameplates up to 1 square foot; Temporary political signs for up to 6 weeks, with post-election removal rules; Certain public, charitable, religious, city-promotional, temporary construction, occupational, memorial, governmental, directional, and specified window signs as listed in section 3.04.055; Minor improvements and ordinary repairs without a permit when they conform to applicable building laws and codes, subject to the code compliance officer's right to inspect and determine whether a permit is necessary. Note: No public general exempt-work list for Clarendon building permits was found. The above sign exemptions are specific to sign permits.

Other cities in Donley County