City Building Permits
Alice, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Alice, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the incorporated City of Alice.
- Department
- Building Inspection, Community Development Department
- Address
- 500 E. Main St., Alice, TX 78332
- Phone
- (361) 668-7275
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Vertex Plans • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is inside Alice city limits and gather the project information required by the city application, including owner, contractor, address, work description, square footage, and Jim Wells County Appraisal District number.
- Submit the applicable permit application through the city process. The published residential form routes review through zoning, public works, fire prevention, engineering, building inspection, electrical inspection, health, community services, and the appraisal district as applicable.
- Pay the applicable permit and plan review fees.
- After permit issuance, request inspections through the city's Vertex Plans inspection portal or the published inspection request link.
- Call Dig Tess before excavation as directed on the city permit form.
- Obtain final approvals and, when required, a certificate of occupancy before occupancy or business opening.
Source: Building Inspection, Community Development Department
General Requirements
The city publishes building permit forms for new construction, remodels, additions, roofs, demolitions, flatwork, swimming pools, accessory buildings, change of occupancy, signs, and floodplain-related review.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Owner/applicant and contractor information
- Construction address
- Legal description or subdivision information
- Description of work
- Square footage
- Valuation and fees
- Jim Wells County Appraisal District number
- Signatures
- Permit validity
- A building permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within six months or if construction or work is suspended or abandoned for six months after work has commenced.
- Building code
- 2012 International Codes and 2011 National Electric Code
- Owner-builder
- The residential form includes a line for 'Printed Name of Homeowner (If owner is builder).'
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold a current City of Alice Contractors/Builders Registration (annual fee $125.00). Separate registration fees apply for mechanical contractors and house moving contractors. Owners should confirm whether a contractor is registered with the City of Alice.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $76.92
- Plan check fee
- Residential $0.08 per square foot; Commercial 25% of permit fee
- Permit fee formula
- Residential construction $0.30 per square foot; Commercial construction by square-foot brackets plus 25% plan review charge; Specific permits vary (roof, accessory buildings, additions, remodels, pools, signs, certificates of occupancy are flat or hybrid flat-plus-unit fees)
- Trade permit fee
- Residential $76.92 minimum; Commercial $125.00 minimum
- Reinspection fee
- Residential $76.92; Commercial $125.00
- Penalty (no permit)
- Double fees for building without a permit or stop work order
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2023-2024).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Building Inspection, Community Development Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Vertex Plans portal (online)
- (361) 668-7275 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Per city business hours
Typical inspection sequence: The city publishes inspection checklists and routes permit review through multiple city departments. Exact stage-by-stage sequences vary by permit type, but public materials show inspection activity after permit issuance and before final approval or certificate of occupancy.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2012 International Codes and 2011 National Electric Code
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- City of Alice Code of Ordinances
- Homeowner Notice - Educational
- License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Building Inspection, Community Development Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alice Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Alice, TX?
- The city publishes building permit forms for new construction, remodels, additions, roofs, demolitions, flatwork, swimming pools, accessory buildings, change of occupancy, signs, and floodplain-related review.
- How much does a building permit cost in Alice, TX?
- The minimum permit fee is $76.92. Fees are calculated as: Residential construction $0.30 per square foot; Commercial construction by square-foot brackets plus 25% plan review charge; Specific permits vary (roof, accessory buildings, additions, remodels, pools, signs, certificates of occupancy are flat or hybrid flat-plus-unit fees). Plan check fee: Residential $0.08 per square foot; Commercial 25% of permit fee.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Alice, TX?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is inside Alice city limits and gather the project information required by the city application, including owner, contractor, address, work description, square footage, and Jim Wells County Appraisal District number. 2. Submit the applicable permit application through the city process. The published residential form routes review through zoning, public works, fire prevention, engineering, building inspection, electrical inspection, health, community services, and the appraisal district as applicable. 3. Pay the applicable permit and plan review fees. 4. After permit issuance, request inspections through the city's Vertex Plans inspection portal or the published inspection request link. 5. Call Dig Tess before excavation as directed on the city permit form. 6. Obtain final approvals and, when required, a certificate of occupancy before occupancy or business opening.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Alice, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Vertex Plans portal, (361) 668-7275.
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