City Building Permits

Bowie, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Montague County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Bowie operates a full municipal permit and inspection program for residential and non-residential work inside city limits.

Department
Building Permits and Inspections
Address
307 N. Mason St., Bowie, TX 76230
Phone
940-872-1114 ext. 131

Online Permit Portal

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

Application Process

  1. Identify the permit type from the city permit application page and complete the applicable application or registration form.
  2. Submit permit documents and fees to the city. Complete submittal documents are needed to expedite review.
  3. If plan review is required, Bureau Veritas performs residential and commercial plan review and contacts the applicant if revisions are needed.
  4. Pay permit and any plan review fees.
  5. Schedule inspections with the city or Bureau Veritas, depending on the inspection type.
  6. Complete required inspections and obtain final approval and certificate of occupancy when applicable.

Typical processing time: No general permit issuance timeline posted. Next-business-day inspections are available if city inspection requests are submitted by 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and Bureau Veritas inspection requests by 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Source: Building Permits and Inspections

General Requirements

Bowie requires permits for residential building, non-residential building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, moving, demolition, fire protection, and curb/street cut work.

Required Documents

  • Completed permit application or registration form
  • Permit documents as specified for the permit type
  • Applicable fees
Permit validity
No public general building permit expiration rule was located.
Building code
2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Existing Building Code, 2018 International Fire Code, 2018 International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code, 2018 International Plumbing Code, 2018 International Residential Code, 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, and 2017 National Electric Code
Contractor requirements
Bowie requires contractor registration. Annual building contractor license fee is $35.00 and requires either a contractor bond with a $20,000 minimum or a $300,000 minimum general liability policy.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Residential accessory structure permit $35.00; fence permit $20.00; non-residential valuation fee schedule starts at $25.00 for $1,000 and less
Plan check fee
Equal to the building permit fee when plan review is required
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Residential permits are mostly flat fees. Non-residential building permits use a valuation schedule.
Trade permit fee
Flat fees for moving, demolition, certificate of occupancy, curb/street cut, and fire protection permits
Reinspection fee
$25.00 each
Penalty (no permit)
Work started before permit issuance is charged at double permit fees
Payment note
Permit documents and fees are submitted to the city; no dedicated online permit-payment workflow was clearly described

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building Permits and Inspections to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • City: 940-872-1114 ext. 131 (phone)
  • Bureau Veritas: 817-335-8111 or 877-837-8775 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
City inspection requests must be submitted by 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday for next-business-day inspections. Bureau Veritas requests must be submitted by 4:00 PM Monday through Friday for next-business-day inspections.

Typical inspection sequence: Submittal, plan review if required, permit issuance, trade and building inspections, and final approval or certificate of occupancy as applicable

Additional Resources

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bowie Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Bowie, TX?
Bowie requires permits for residential building, non-residential building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, moving, demolition, fire protection, and curb/street cut work.
How much does a building permit cost in Bowie, TX?
The minimum permit fee is Residential accessory structure permit $35.00; fence permit $20.00; non-residential valuation fee schedule starts at $25.00 for $1,000 and less. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential permits are mostly flat fees. Non-residential building permits use a valuation schedule.. Plan check fee: Equal to the building permit fee when plan review is required.
How do I apply for a building permit in Bowie, TX?
1. Identify the permit type from the city permit application page and complete the applicable application or registration form. 2. Submit permit documents and fees to the city. Complete submittal documents are needed to expedite review. 3. If plan review is required, Bureau Veritas performs residential and commercial plan review and contacts the applicant if revisions are needed. 4. Pay permit and any plan review fees. 5. Schedule inspections with the city or Bureau Veritas, depending on the inspection type. 6. Complete required inspections and obtain final approval and certificate of occupancy when applicable.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Bowie, TX?
Typical processing time is No general permit issuance timeline posted. Next-business-day inspections are available if city inspection requests are submitted by 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and Bureau Veritas inspection requests by 4:00 PM Monday through Friday..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Bowie, TX?
Inspections can be scheduled via: City: 940-872-1114 ext. 131, Bureau Veritas: 817-335-8111 or 877-837-8775. City inspection requests must be submitted by 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday for next-business-day inspections. Bureau Veritas requests must be submitted by 4:00 PM Monday through Friday for next-business-day inspections..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Bowie can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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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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