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§ TX Erath County
City building permits

City of Hico

How to apply for a building permit in City of Hico, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Avg processing
Not publicly stated
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City Hall; Permits and Inspections

Street address
120 W 1st Street, Hico, TX 76457
Coverage
Applies within Hico city limits in Erath County. Hico is partly in Erath County and partly outside it; parcel-level verification is advisable before relying on city jurisdiction.
Online portal
City website
City website resources page
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Hico

Hico publicly states that work by A/C technicians, plumbers, and electricians must be performed by licensed and insured contractors unless a homeowner occupying the homestead uses the published owner-occupant exception. Even then, the work must still be permitted and inspected.

Note: No public exempt-work list was found on Hico's website during this review. Confirm with City Hall before assuming work is exempt.

Required documents
  • Notarized affidavit of ownership and occupancy (for homestead-owner work on HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems)
Building code
No public current code-adoption page or ordinance text was located during this review
Permit validity
Not publicly stated
Owner-builder
The city recognizes state-law provisions allowing a homeowner occupying a homestead to work on HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems in that homestead without the usual trade license, but the owner must file a notarized affidavit of ownership and occupancy and still obtain permits and inspections.
Contractor requirements
A/C technicians, plumbers, and electricians employed in those trades must be licensed, and contractors in those fields must be licensed and insured.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not publicly stated

  1. 01
    Contact City Hall through the Permits and Inspections page to determine the needed permit/registration.
  2. 02
    If the project involves HVAC, plumbing, or electrical work, confirm whether the work will be done by a licensed contractor or by a qualifying homeowner on a homestead under the city's published owner-occupant exception.
  3. 03
    If claiming the homeowner homestead exception for HVAC, plumbing, or electrical work, file a notarized affidavit of ownership and occupancy with the city.
  4. 04
    Submit the permit/registration through City Hall. The public page confirms the work must still be permitted and inspected.
  5. 05
    Pay the permit/registration charges at City Hall or through the city's online payment system.
  6. 06
    Complete inspections before closing out the work.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated

Source: City Hall; Permits and Inspections ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Hico building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Not publicly confirmed

The city accepts cash, checks, and major credit cards. A $3.00 per $100.00 user fee applies to credit card payments. The city also links the EZ Net Pay online payment system.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (254) 796-4620 (phone)

Typical sequence: The city states covered work must be permitted and inspected, but it does not publish a step-by-step inspection sequence on the reviewed pages

Source: City Hall; Permits and Inspections ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Hico permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Hico, TX? ▸
Hico publicly states that work by A/C technicians, plumbers, and electricians must be performed by licensed and insured contractors unless a homeowner occupying the homestead uses the published owner-occupant exception. Even then, the work must still be permitted and inspected.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Hico, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in Hico, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly confirmed.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Hico, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Hico, TX, follow these steps: 1. Contact City Hall through the Permits and Inspections page to determine the needed permit/registration. 2. If the project involves HVAC, plumbing, or electrical work, confirm whether the work will be done by a licensed contractor or by a qualifying homeowner on a homestead under the city's published owner-occupant exception. 3. If claiming the homeowner homestead exception for HVAC, plumbing, or electrical work, file a notarized affidavit of ownership and occupancy with the city. 4. Submit the permit/registration through City Hall. The public page confirms the work must still be permitted and inspected. 5. Pay the permit/registration charges at City Hall or through the city's online payment system. 6. Complete inspections before closing out the work.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Hico, TX? ▸
Building permit processing times in Hico, TX typically run Not publicly stated. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Hico, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Hico, TX via: (254) 796-4620.
last verified April 2026 source City Hall; Permits and Inspections ↗ entry id permits/texas/erath/hico

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City Hall; Permits and Inspections before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

§   Adjacent

Other jurisdictions in Erath County.

Same county, different permit office. Click for that jurisdiction's full guide.

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