Nixon, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Properties within Nixon city limits in Gonzales County. Nixon extends into both Gonzales County and Wilson County. For properties near the county line, parcel-level county verification matters.

Department

Code Compliance Department

Address

100 W. 3rd Street, Nixon, TX 78140

Phone

830-263-3699

Email

codecompliance@nixon.texas.gov

Website

https://nixon.texas.gov/code-compliance-dept

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Email all permit requests to codecompliance@nixon.texas.gov. All permit requests must be emailed.
2. Complete the construction permit application in full. The form states that all information is required and incomplete applications will not be processed.
3. Submit the required plans. For residential new houses: one complete digital set including site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, cross section plan, electrical plan, roof and floor framing, elevations, and RES-check or third-party energy materials. For commercial new buildings: one digital set including site, civil, landscape, and drainage plans.
4. Submit by the required lead time. Residential building permits must be submitted 10 business days before the requested start date; commercial building permits 15 business days before the requested start date.
5. Wait for approval through the Code Compliance Department and Bureau Veritas where required. Construction may not begin until completed approval through both.
6. Pay the applicable permit fees under the city's 2025 fee schedule and any Bureau Veritas schedule items.
7. Do not start work before approval. Permit fees will be doubled and a citation issued if work begins before permit approval.

Typical processing time: 10 business days lead time for residential; 15 business days for commercial before requested start date

Source: Code Compliance Department

General Requirements

Nixon has a clearly documented general construction permit program. Permits are required for building permits, detached accessory building permits, trade permits, asphalt and concrete work, foundation work, fence permits, pools, solar panels, demolition, signs, HUD manufactured home permits, burn permits, and other permit categories.

Required Documents

• Company and contact information
• Contractor address
• Job address
• Property owner
• Job type
• Estimated cost
• Square footage
• Job description
• Trade contractor license information
• Required plan sets (vary by project type)

Permit validity

Permits are good for 180 days after issuance.

Building code

2021 International Code Council International Electric Code, International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and International Existing Building Code with amendments.

Owner-builder

Separate Nixon owner-builder handout not located. Public materials focus on contractor and trade-license submittals.

Contractor requirements

Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits cannot be issued to an unlicensed person. The licensed electrician, plumber, or HVAC contractor must pull those permits.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$30.00 to $150.00 (varies by permit type)

Plan check fee

Varies by project type. Site plan and plan review required for certain categories.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Some city fees are flat, while many building, accessory structure, trade, foundation, fence, pool, solar, and other permit categories defer to the Bureau Veritas schedule.

Trade permit fee

Varies by trade; many categories listed as 'See BV Schedule'

Penalty (no permit)

Permit fees doubled and citation issued if work begins before permit approval

Payment note

Public permit materials do not identify a separate online permit payment portal. Applicants should confirm payment handling with Code Compliance.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Code Compliance Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours

Normal business hours

Typical inspection sequence: Public materials do not publish a separate inspection-request page. Inspections appear to be coordinated through Code Compliance and Bureau Veritas as required.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 International Code Council International Electric Code, International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and International Existing Building Code with amendments.
• Code Compliance Department
• City Contact Information
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Nixon Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Nixon, TX?

Nixon has a clearly documented general construction permit program. Permits are required for building permits, detached accessory building permits, trade permits, asphalt and concrete work, foundation work, fence permits, pools, solar panels, demolition, signs, HUD manufactured home permits, burn permits, and other permit categories.

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

The minimum permit fee is $30.00 to $150.00 (varies by permit type). Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Some city fees are flat, while many building, accessory structure, trade, foundation, fence, pool, solar, and other permit categories defer to the Bureau Veritas schedule.. Plan check fee: Varies by project type. Site plan and plan review required for certain categories..

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

1. Email all permit requests to codecompliance@nixon.texas.gov. All permit requests must be emailed. 2. Complete the construction permit application in full. The form states that all information is required and incomplete applications will not be processed. 3. Submit the required plans. For residential new houses: one complete digital set including site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, cross section plan, electrical plan, roof and floor framing, elevations, and RES-check or third-party energy materials. For commercial new buildings: one digital set including site, civil, landscape, and drainage plans. 4. Submit by the required lead time. Residential building permits must be submitted 10 business days before the requested start date; commercial building permits 15 business days before the requested start date. 5. Wait for approval through the Code Compliance Department and Bureau Veritas where required. Construction may not begin until completed approval through both. 6. Pay the applicable permit fees under the city's 2025 fee schedule and any Bureau Veritas schedule items. 7. Do not start work before approval. Permit fees will be doubled and a citation issued if work begins before permit approval.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Nixon, TX?

Typical processing time is 10 business days lead time for residential; 15 business days for commercial before requested start date.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Repair or replace existing windows, doors, and similar items: No charge listed in the fee schedule. Note: No broader public exempt-work list found. Nixon publishes a fee schedule, not a comprehensive exemption list.

Other cities in Gonzales County