Sundown, TX — 2026 Building Permit Guide

§ 01

Permit authority

Building Official / Building Inspector

Phone

(806) 229-3131

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of Sundown.

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Sundown

Building permits must be obtained from the building inspector before beginning any new construction or additions within city limits. No construction may be undertaken without a building permit. Buildings moved into the city require a permit request and must conform to the building, electrical, and plumbing codes. Electrical work requires a permit before installing, erecting, or altering wiring, fixtures, or other electrical apparatus. Gas permits are required before installing a gas conversion burner, floor furnace, central heating plant, vented recessed heater, water heater, boiler, consumer gas piping, or converting existing piping to natural gas. Work in a designated flood hazard area is governed by Article 3.1000 flood hazard reduction.

Scope of work

Permit?

01

Gas permits are not required for setting or connecting other gas appliances

Exempt

02

Gas permits are not required for repair of leaks in house piping

Exempt

Exempt Gas permits are not required for setting or connecting other gas appliances
Exempt Gas permits are not required for repair of leaks in house piping

Note: No broader public exempt-work list was found.

Required documents

Building-permit application materials as requested by the building inspector
For zoning/building review, a plat drawn to scale showing lot dimensions and the size, shape, and location of the proposed building
For buildings moved into the city, a site plan and at least two color photographs of the building or manufactured home
Additional plans and specifications where required

Building code: 2003 International Fire Code, 2003 International Building Code, 2003 International Mechanical Code (except Chapter 1). Ordinance 448 amended building codes and adopted the plumbing code, fuel gas code, and residential code.
Permit validity: Any building permit is valid for 12 months after issuance. A new application is required if construction has not commenced within that period.
Owner-builder: No public Sundown owner-builder rule was found.
Contractor requirements: The fee schedule includes master and journeyman electrician licensing fees, special one-job electrical licensing fees, and an electrician bond requirement. Business-building plans of $25,000 or more must be prepared by a registered architect.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: No public processing-time estimate found.

01

Verify the parcel is inside Sundown city limits.
02

Determine which permit applies. Building permits must be obtained from the building inspector before beginning any new construction or additions within city limits. Separate permitting rules exist for electrical, plumbing, gas-piping, moved buildings, and work in the public way.
03

Submit required application materials to the building inspector or city clerk, depending on the permit type.
04

For buildings moved into the city, provide a site plan and at least two color photographs of the building or manufactured home.
05

For zoning compliance, submit an application with a plat drawn to scale showing actual lot dimensions and the size, shape, and location of the proposed building.
06

Pay the applicable permit fee from Appendix A, Article A2.000.
07

Complete required inspections. Separate inspection sections apply for electrical and gas work.

Typical processing time: No public processing-time estimate found.

Source: Building Official / Building Inspector ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective Current

Fee type

Amount

01

Minimum permit fee

$1.00 (use-of-public-ways permit minimum)

02

Plan check fee

No separate public plan-review fee was identified.

03

Permit fee formula

Building permit fee: $0.20 per square foot; Electrical permit fee: $0.20 per square foot; Plumbing permit fee: $0.20 per square foot; Gas-piping inspection fees: $1.50 for one to four outlets, plus $0.50 for each outlet above five; Building moving permit fee: $50 (under 400 sq ft) or $100 (over 400 sq ft), plus $5 per extra day of street/alley obstruction beyond one day

04

Trade permit fee

Electrician licensing fees apply per code.

05

Reinspection fee

Gas-piping return inspection after correction of defects: $1.00 each return inspection.

No public online permit-payment workflow was found.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Current) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, and Gas Inspector (in-person)

Typical sequence: General building permit before work starts. Trade inspections as applicable under electrical, plumbing, and gas articles. For gas work, rough and final piping inspection at one location. Zoning compliance and final use or occupancy should be confirmed with the city.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Sundown permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Sundown, TX? ▸

Building permits must be obtained from the building inspector before beginning any new construction or additions within city limits. No construction may be undertaken without a building permit. Buildings moved into the city require a permit request and must conform to the building, electrical, and plumbing codes. Electrical work requires a permit before installing, erecting, or altering wiring, fixtures, or other electrical apparatus. Gas permits are required before installing a gas conversion burner, floor furnace, central heating plant, vented recessed heater, water heater, boiler, consumer gas piping, or converting existing piping to natural gas. Work in a designated flood hazard area is governed by Article 3.1000 flood hazard reduction.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Sundown, TX? ▸

Building permit fees in Sundown, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $1.00 (use-of-public-ways permit minimum). Fees are calculated as: Building permit fee: $0.20 per square foot; Electrical permit fee: $0.20 per square foot; Plumbing permit fee: $0.20 per square foot; Gas-piping inspection fees: $1.50 for one to four outlets, plus $0.50 for each outlet above five; Building moving permit fee: $50 (under 400 sq ft) or $100 (over 400 sq ft), plus $5 per extra day of street/alley obstruction beyond one day. Plan check fee: No separate public plan-review fee was identified..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Sundown, TX? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Sundown, TX, follow these steps: 1. Verify the parcel is inside Sundown city limits. 2. Determine which permit applies. Building permits must be obtained from the building inspector before beginning any new construction or additions within city limits. Separate permitting rules exist for electrical, plumbing, gas-piping, moved buildings, and work in the public way. 3. Submit required application materials to the building inspector or city clerk, depending on the permit type. 4. For buildings moved into the city, provide a site plan and at least two color photographs of the building or manufactured home. 5. For zoning compliance, submit an application with a plat drawn to scale showing actual lot dimensions and the size, shape, and location of the proposed building. 6. Pay the applicable permit fee from Appendix A, Article A2.000. 7. Complete required inspections. Separate inspection sections apply for electrical and gas work.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Sundown, TX? ▸

Building permit processing times in Sundown, TX typically run No public processing-time estimate found.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Sundown, TX? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Sundown, TX. The following work is generally exempt: Gas permits are not required for setting or connecting other gas appliances; Gas permits are not required for repair of leaks in house piping. Note: No broader public exempt-work list was found. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Sundown, TX? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Sundown, TX via: Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, and Gas Inspector.

City of Sundown

Other jurisdictions in Hockley County.