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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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