Bay City, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Bay City.

Department

Planning & Development Services Division

Address

1217 Avenue J, Bay City, TX 77414

Phone

979-323-1173

Email

permits@cityofbaycity.org

Website

https://www.baycitytx.gov/248/Planning-Development-Services-Division

Application Process

1. Register the contractor before the first permit pull if a contractor is involved. Bay City requires all contractors to register before first use.
2. Complete the simplified building permit application. Bay City uses one form for all trades, but separate applications must still be completed for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits.
3. Submit plans and specifications when required. Plans must be submitted with an application for plan examination and the appropriate fee before a permit can be issued, except for roofing, siding, windows, and minor alterations or repairs as determined by the building official.
4. For new residential or new commercial work, use the city packet to assemble the supporting documents. The residential packet calls for a site plan, energy report, foundation plans, house plans, driveway and culvert plans where applicable, and utility tap requests before permit issuance.
5. Email the PDF application, plans, certificates of insurance, licenses, and related documents to permits@cityofbaycity.org, or coordinate directly with the department.
6. Pay the permit and plan review fees under the adopted fee schedule.
7. Request inspections by email to permits@cityofbaycity.org by 3:30 p.m. for next-day inspection, then complete the listed rough, utility, framing, energy, and final inspections.

Typical processing time: Not publicly specified

Source: Planning & Development Services Division

General Requirements

Bay City's permit application covers residential and non-residential new buildings, repairs and replacements, accessory buildings, reroofs, additions, demolitions, pools, miscellaneous work, certificates of occupancy, alterations, foundation-only work, and decks. Plans are required for all building projects except roofing, siding, windows, and minor work approved by the building official.

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Owner, architect/engineer, and contractor information
• Project valuation
• Plans and specifications where required
• New residential or commercial packet materials
• Certificates of insurance and licenses
• Utility tap requests where applicable

Permit validity

Not publicly specified

Building code

2021 International Building Code and 2023 National Electrical Code

Owner-builder

The permit process is intended for builders, contractors, business owners, and homeowners.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must register before the first permit they pull. Copies of licenses and certificates of insurance are submitted with the PDF application package.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50.00

Plan check fee

Included in residential new construction building permit fee; separate plan review only fees are $200.00 per plan or address for a new or previously reviewed dwelling plan or master plan, and $150.00 for an additional review after permit issuance when plans are altered

Permit fee formula

Mixed: residential new construction is square-foot based; commercial and multifamily plan review and permit fees are valuation-based; many miscellaneous permits are flat fees or per-trade fees

Trade permit fee

$100.00 per trade for miscellaneous building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel gas permits

Reinspection fee

$150.00 per inspection

Penalty (no permit)

200% of original permit fee for work before permit issuance

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Roofing (permit not required but may be tracked)
• Siding (permit not required but may be tracked)
• Windows (permit not required but may be tracked)
• Minor alterations or repairs as determined by the building official

Important: Roofing, siding, windows, and minor work are listed as exceptions to the plan-submittal requirement. Confirm edge cases with the Planning & Development Services Division before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• permits@cityofbaycity.org (email)

Scheduling deadline

Requests must be received by 3:30 p.m. for next-day inspection.

Inspection hours

Normal business hours

Typical inspection sequence: Residential packet lists plumbing rough, water service, yard sewer, form survey, electrical underground, foundation, electric rough, plumbing top-out, gas rough piping test, mechanical rough, framing, insulation or energy, meter releases, electrical final, mechanical final, plumbing final, gas final, energy final, and building final.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 International Building Code and 2023 National Electrical Code
• Floodplain Maps
• Airport Zoning
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Bay City Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Bay City, TX?

Bay City's permit application covers residential and non-residential new buildings, repairs and replacements, accessory buildings, reroofs, additions, demolitions, pools, miscellaneous work, certificates of occupancy, alterations, foundation-only work, and decks. Plans are required for all building projects except roofing, siding, windows, and minor work approved by the building official.

How much does a building permit cost in Bay City, TX?

The minimum permit fee is $50.00. Fees are calculated as: Mixed: residential new construction is square-foot based; commercial and multifamily plan review and permit fees are valuation-based; many miscellaneous permits are flat fees or per-trade fees. Plan check fee: Included in residential new construction building permit fee; separate plan review only fees are $200.00 per plan or address for a new or previously reviewed dwelling plan or master plan, and $150.00 for an additional review after permit issuance when plans are altered.

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

1. Register the contractor before the first permit pull if a contractor is involved. Bay City requires all contractors to register before first use. 2. Complete the simplified building permit application. Bay City uses one form for all trades, but separate applications must still be completed for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits. 3. Submit plans and specifications when required. Plans must be submitted with an application for plan examination and the appropriate fee before a permit can be issued, except for roofing, siding, windows, and minor alterations or repairs as determined by the building official. 4. For new residential or new commercial work, use the city packet to assemble the supporting documents. The residential packet calls for a site plan, energy report, foundation plans, house plans, driveway and culvert plans where applicable, and utility tap requests before permit issuance. 5. Email the PDF application, plans, certificates of insurance, licenses, and related documents to permits@cityofbaycity.org, or coordinate directly with the department. 6. Pay the permit and plan review fees under the adopted fee schedule. 7. Request inspections by email to permits@cityofbaycity.org by 3:30 p.m. for next-day inspection, then complete the listed rough, utility, framing, energy, and final inspections.

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

Typical processing time is Not publicly specified.

What work is exempt from building permits in Bay City, TX?

The following work is generally exempt: Roofing (permit not required but may be tracked); Siding (permit not required but may be tracked); Windows (permit not required but may be tracked); Minor alterations or repairs as determined by the building official. Note: Roofing, siding, windows, and minor work are listed as exceptions to the plan-submittal requirement. Confirm edge cases with the Planning & Development Services Division before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Bay City, TX?

Inspections can be scheduled via: permits@cityofbaycity.org. Requests must be received by 3:30 p.m. for next-day inspection..

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