On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Horseshoe Bay
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.
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
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work for an existing structure
- Exempt Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches and needing no additional support
- Exempt Minor electrical repairs and maintenance, including lamp replacement
- Exempt Portable heating, cooling, or drying appliances and replacement of minor parts not altering approved equipment or making it unsafe
- Exempt Stopping leaks in drains, water, waste, or vent pipes (unless concealed piping must be removed and replaced)
- Exempt 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)
- Exempt Emergency equipment replacement or repair (if application submitted within 3 business days after work)
- Exempt Ordinary repairs to structures not cutting away structural or egress elements and not altering utility or mechanical systems affecting health or safety
- Exempt Replacement of compressors, air handlers, or other normal household HVAC devices
- Exempt Installation of satellite television or internet-related antennas
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 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.
- 02 Complete the city's Building Permit Application and gather the required digital plan set and checklist items.
- 03 Submit the permit package by email to permits@horseshoe-bay-tx.gov. The city requires PDF attachments; images embedded in email are not acceptable.
- 04 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.
- 05 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.
- 06 After permit issuance, post the permit and schedule inspections through the city website.
- 07 Complete required inspections and obtain the certificate of occupancy before placing personal items in or inhabiting the residence.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2026-03
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$75
02
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
03
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.
04
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2026-03) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- City Building Inspections page (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspection requests received before 3:30 p.m. are available for next-day inspection
Typical 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Horseshoe Bay permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Horseshoe Bay, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in Horseshoe Bay, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Horseshoe Bay, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Horseshoe Bay, TX, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Horseshoe Bay, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Horseshoe Bay, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Horseshoe Bay, TX via: City Building Inspections page. Inspection requests received before 3:30 p.m. are available for next-day inspection.
last verified April 2026
source Development Services Department ↗
entry id permits/texas/llano/horseshoe-bay
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Development Services Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.