City of Goliad

A permit is required for any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, as well as structural work, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire sprinklers, irrigation, pools and spas, new fences, signs, temporary structures, accessory buildings 120 square feet or larger, decks, gas tanks, curb cuts, street cuts, fire hydrants, floodplain construction or modifications, flatwork, patio covers, roofing, siding, soffit, fascia, window replacement, solar panels, moving, blasting, burning, tents, food and beverage uses, and home occupations.

• Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height-to-diameter or height-to-width ratio does not exceed 2 to 1.
• Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.
• Exempt Temporary motion-picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery.
• Exempt Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems.
• Exempt Swings and other temporary playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings.
• Exempt One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses on the same lot as a one- or two-family dwelling when the floor area is 120 square feet or less and the structure can be moved if necessary (except in flood hazard areas).
• Exempt Replacement fences on one- or two-family property when the replacement is in the same location, same height, and same materials as the fence being replaced and otherwise complies with the city development code (except in flood hazard areas).
• Exempt Electrical normal maintenance such as replacement of lamps, sockets, fuses, drop cords, snap switches, and similar minor repairs.
• Exempt Connection of portable electrical equipment to suitable existing permanently installed receptacles.
• Exempt Replacement of a motor of the same horsepower and rating with properly installed supply by a licensed electrician.
• Exempt Portable heating appliances and replacement of minor gas-equipment parts that do not alter approval or make the equipment unsafe.
• Exempt Portable ventilation equipment, portable cooling units, and portable evaporative coolers.
• Exempt Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.
• Exempt Plumbing leak stopping, stoppage clearing, and fixture removal and reinstallation when the work does not require replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.

Building code

City sources conflict: the FAQ page states the City Council adopted the 2006 International Building Codes, while the commercial permit packet states adoption of the 2012 International Building Code, 2012 International Residential Code, 2012 International Fire Code, 2012 International Plumbing Code, 2012 International Mechanical Code, 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, 2012 International Fuel and Gas Code, and 2012 National Electrical Code. Applicants should confirm the currently enforced code editions with City Hall before submittal.

Permit validity

No public city code section or permit packet page reviewed gave a general permit-expiration period. The fee schedule does include a permit-renewal charge for expired permits with no changes.

Owner-builder

The city allows an owner or authorized agent to apply. The Building Inspection page warns owners not to pull permits for contractors because the permit record will then show the owner as the person who performed the work.

Contractor requirements

The city advises using licensed trade contractors, specifically listing electricians, plumbers, air conditioning contractors, and irrigation contractors as licensed trades. Commercial permit packets state all contractors performing work within the city's jurisdiction must be registered with the city and provide proof of commercial general liability insurance for property-damage or bodily-injury claims.

Source: Building Inspection ↗

1. 01
   Obtain the residential or commercial permit packet from the Building Inspection page.
2. 02
   Complete the permit application and assemble the required plans, engineering documents, and supporting materials.
3. 03
   Submit the permit documents and fees to City Hall. Incomplete applications are placed on hold until missing information is provided.
4. 04
   The city or its contracted reviewer, Bureau Veritas, checks the packet for completeness, zoning and setback compliance, code issues, and energy-code compliance.
5. 05
   If revisions are needed, the applicant is contacted and must resubmit corrected documents before review can continue.
6. 06
   After approval, the permit packet is returned to the city and city staff issue the permit after fees are collected.
7. 07
   Work may begin only after permit issuance. Starting work before permit approval doubles the fee.

Typical processing time: No public turnaround time was posted for permit issuance. For inspections, requests must be received by 5:00 PM for next-day inspection.

Source: Building Inspection ↗

Forms of payment for building permits are cash, check, or money order only. The fee schedule lists a municipal debit or credit card processing fee of 2.5% of the transaction amount or $2.25 (whichever is greater), but this may not apply to building permits. Confirm accepted payment methods with City Hall before payment.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective May 1, 2025) before budgeting.

• Fax inspection request to Bureau Veritas (fax)
• Call Bureau Veritas at 817-335-8111 or toll-free 877-837-8775 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests must be received by 5:00 PM for next-day inspection.

Inspection hours

No public hourly inspection window was posted.

Typical sequence: Typical inspections include plumbing rough, water service, yard sewer, form board survey, gas wrap, foundation, electric rough, mechanical rough, gas rough piping test, plumbing top-out, framing, windstorm, energy insulation, construction electric, gas final, electrical final, mechanical final, plumbing final, energy final, building final, customer service inspection form, T-pole, and flatwork.

Source: Building Inspection ↗