City Building Permits

Horseshoe Bay, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Texas Llano County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Horseshoe Bay spans Llano and Burnet counties. This jurisdiction covers only the portion in Llano County. The city's permit program is administered by one city Development Services Department. Parcel-level verification is still important for county-specific OSSF or floodplain issues.

Department
Development Services Department
Address
1 Community Drive, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657
Phone
(830) 598-9959
Website
https://www.horseshoe-bay-tx.gov/948/Permits

Online Permit Portal

Open Building Permit Application

Platform: Email Submission • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Confirm the parcel is inside Horseshoe Bay city limits and determine whether the work is new construction, remodel, accessory work, grade/fill, flatwork, reroofing, pool/spa, sign, or another permit category.
  2. Complete the city's Building Permit Application and gather the required digital plan set and checklist items.
  3. Submit the permit package by email to permits@horseshoe-bay-tx.gov. The city requires PDF attachments; images embedded in email are not acceptable.
  4. Pay review and permit fees under the city fee schedule. The city requires a successful local ordinance review before permit submission for model code review in many cases.
  5. Respond to any review comments or resubmittal requests. The fee schedule charges half of the original review fee for each subsequent review caused by incomplete or failed review or revisions before permit issuance.
  6. After permit issuance, post the permit and schedule inspections through the city website.
  7. Complete required inspections and obtain the certificate of occupancy before placing personal items in or inhabiting the residence.

Source: Development Services Department

General Requirements

City code requires permits for residential and commercial construction and improvements including new construction, multifamily and non-residential work, remodels, additions, accessory structures, decks, boat docks, pools and spas, solar panels, fire protection components, grade and fill, flatwork, demolition, signs, subcontractor-only trade work, reroofing, irrigation, blasting, and other listed development items.

Required Documents

  • Digital plans stamped and signed by a registered design professional
  • Foundation information
  • Wind brace and shear wall details
  • Framing and truss information
  • Energy compliance details
  • Site and zoning information
  • Subcontractor confirmations
  • Form survey before plumbing rough inspection
Permit validity
The reviewed public sources do not state the default permit expiration rule, but the fee schedule publishes substantial extension fees: $1,000 for a first extension and $2,500 for a second extension.
Building code
2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 edition of NFPA 101 for commercial life safety, 2023 National Electrical Code, and 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, with local amendments. Note: March 2023 permit application PDF references older 2015 and 2014 editions; applicants should confirm current intake checklist against updated code of ordinances.
Owner-builder
The permit application allows a homeowner to participate in the permit package, but it also states that only contractors registered with the city under Section 3.03.010(9)(A) can apply for a building permit.
Contractor requirements
Registered city contractors are required for permit application. Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical contractors must hold licenses in good standing with the applicable state authority and active city registration.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$75
Plan check fee
Included as separate review fee in most categories: $250 review for new single-family residential, $150 for decks and boat docks, $125 for one- or two-family remodels
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Single-family and casita permits are square-foot based: $250 review fee plus $0.75 per square foot permit fee. Multifamily and non-residential permits are review fee plus 1 percent of approved construction cost estimate. Many smaller permit categories are flat fee. Examples: $75 review and permit for non-habitable residential accessory structures, $75 for minor MEP repairs, $100 for solar panels, $125 for residential flatwork.
Reinspection fee
Initial reinspection $100. Subsequent reinspection or construction activity violation inspections $150. Work started without permit subject to doubled fees. Plan revision review fee $25.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-03).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work for an existing structure
  • Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches and needing no additional support
  • Minor electrical repairs and maintenance, including lamp replacement
  • Portable heating, cooling, or drying appliances and replacement of minor parts not altering approved equipment or making it unsafe
  • Stopping leaks in drains, water, waste, or vent pipes (unless concealed piping must be removed and replaced)
  • Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, and removing and reinstalling water closets (if work does not replace or rearrange valves, pipes, or fixtures)
  • Emergency equipment replacement or repair (if application submitted within 3 business days after work)
  • Ordinary repairs to structures not cutting away structural or egress elements and not altering utility or mechanical systems affecting health or safety
  • Replacement of compressors, air handlers, or other normal household HVAC devices
  • Installation of satellite television or internet-related antennas

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
Inspection requests received before 3:30 p.m. are available for next-day inspection

Typical inspection sequence: The city requires permit issuance first, then staged inspections during construction. The permit packet specifically notes survey approval before plumbing rough inspection and requires certificate of occupancy before use or habitation.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Development Services Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Horseshoe Bay Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Horseshoe Bay, TX?
City code requires permits for residential and commercial construction and improvements including new construction, multifamily and non-residential work, remodels, additions, accessory structures, decks, boat docks, pools and spas, solar panels, fire protection components, grade and fill, flatwork, demolition, signs, subcontractor-only trade work, reroofing, irrigation, blasting, and other listed development items.
How much does a building permit cost in Horseshoe Bay, TX?
The minimum permit fee is $75. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Single-family and casita permits are square-foot based: $250 review fee plus $0.75 per square foot permit fee. Multifamily and non-residential permits are review fee plus 1 percent of approved construction cost estimate. Many smaller permit categories are flat fee. Examples: $75 review and permit for non-habitable residential accessory structures, $75 for minor MEP repairs, $100 for solar panels, $125 for residential flatwork.. Plan check fee: Included as separate review fee in most categories: $250 review for new single-family residential, $150 for decks and boat docks, $125 for one- or two-family remodels.
How do I apply for a building permit in Horseshoe Bay, TX?
1. Confirm the parcel is inside Horseshoe Bay city limits and determine whether the work is new construction, remodel, accessory work, grade/fill, flatwork, reroofing, pool/spa, sign, or another permit category. 2. Complete the city's Building Permit Application and gather the required digital plan set and checklist items. 3. Submit the permit package by email to permits@horseshoe-bay-tx.gov. The city requires PDF attachments; images embedded in email are not acceptable. 4. Pay review and permit fees under the city fee schedule. The city requires a successful local ordinance review before permit submission for model code review in many cases. 5. Respond to any review comments or resubmittal requests. The fee schedule charges half of the original review fee for each subsequent review caused by incomplete or failed review or revisions before permit issuance. 6. After permit issuance, post the permit and schedule inspections through the city website. 7. Complete required inspections and obtain the certificate of occupancy before placing personal items in or inhabiting the residence.
What work is exempt from building permits in Horseshoe Bay, TX?
The following work is generally exempt: Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work for an existing structure; Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches and needing no additional support; Minor electrical repairs and maintenance, including lamp replacement; Portable heating, cooling, or drying appliances and replacement of minor parts not altering approved equipment or making it unsafe; Stopping leaks in drains, water, waste, or vent pipes (unless concealed piping must be removed and replaced); Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, and removing and reinstalling water closets (if work does not replace or rearrange valves, pipes, or fixtures); Emergency equipment replacement or repair (if application submitted within 3 business days after work); Ordinary repairs to structures not cutting away structural or egress elements and not altering utility or mechanical systems affecting health or safety; Replacement of compressors, air handlers, or other normal household HVAC devices; Installation of satellite television or internet-related antennas.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Horseshoe Bay, TX?
Inspections can be scheduled via: City Building Inspections page. Inspection requests received before 3:30 p.m. are available for next-day inspection.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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