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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Lone Star
Permits are required for new buildings or structures, repair/alteration/addition to an existing structure, demolition, moving a structure into/out of/within the city, installation/modification/replacement of electrical systems, installation/modification of plumbing systems, pouring or constructing a building slab or foundation, construction/installation of fencing, and construction/installation of a swimming pool.
Minor cosmetic improvements such as painting, cabinets, countertops, floor coverings, or fixtures not affecting structural integrity
Repair or replacement of existing residential fences
Appliance installation that does not require additional electrical, gas, or plumbing services
Retaining walls less than 4 feet tall
Playground equipment at a single-family dwelling
Storage sheds without electricity and water
Installation of prefab carports
Alterations or repairs costing less than $1,000.00
- Exempt Minor cosmetic improvements such as painting, cabinets, countertops, floor coverings, or fixtures not affecting structural integrity
- Exempt Repair or replacement of existing residential fences
- Exempt Appliance installation that does not require additional electrical, gas, or plumbing services
- Exempt Retaining walls less than 4 feet tall
- Exempt Playground equipment at a single-family dwelling
- Exempt Storage sheds without electricity and water
- Exempt Installation of prefab carports
- Exempt Alterations or repairs costing less than $1,000.00
Required documents
- Completed permit application from City Secretary
- Building code
- International Building Code 2018 edition with appendix chapters G and J, International Plumbing Code 2018 edition with regional amendments, and National Electrical Code 2017 edition with annex chapters and regional amendments.
- Owner-builder
- No separate owner-builder rule or affidavit was found.
- Contractor requirements
- Electrical work under permit may be inspected through an approved third-party agency when the permit has been obtained by an electrician licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine whether the work is regulated by Ordinance 2025-63A, which covers new construction, repairs, alterations, demolition, moving structures, electrical work, plumbing work, concrete slabs or foundations, fencing, and swimming pools.
- 02 Obtain a permit from the City Secretary before work begins. No work shall begin until the permit has been approved.
- 03 Pay permit fees at the time the permit is issued.
- 04 Post the permit on the job site. The ordinance requires the permit to be affixed to the structure or a post in a conspicuous place, between 5 feet and 8 feet from the ground.
- 05 Complete inspections as required. The posted fee schedule shows separate slab, electrical, plumbing, and customer service inspection fees.
- 06 For electrical work, the city may require inspections from an approved third-party inspection agency when a permit has been obtained by a Texas-licensed electrician.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Lone Star building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25.00 (fencing permit)
02
Permit fee formula
Flat fees by permit type
03
Penalty (no permit)
Violations are punishable as misdemeanors with fines not to exceed the maximum penalty allowed by law.
Fees are paid when the permit is issued. No online permit-payment system was identified.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
Typical sequence: Fee schedule confirms a concrete slab inspection, electrical inspection at rough-in and final. Ordinance 287 allows the city to require approved third-party electrical inspections.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Lone Star permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Lone Star, TX? ▸
Permits are required for new buildings or structures, repair/alteration/addition to an existing structure, demolition, moving a structure into/out of/within the city, installation/modification/replacement of electrical systems, installation/modification of plumbing systems, pouring or constructing a building slab or foundation, construction/installation of fencing, and construction/installation of a swimming pool.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Lone Star, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in Lone Star, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $25.00 (fencing permit). Fees are calculated as: Flat fees by permit type.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Lone Star, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Lone Star, TX, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the work is regulated by Ordinance 2025-63A, which covers new construction, repairs, alterations, demolition, moving structures, electrical work, plumbing work, concrete slabs or foundations, fencing, and swimming pools. 2. Obtain a permit from the City Secretary before work begins. No work shall begin until the permit has been approved. 3. Pay permit fees at the time the permit is issued. 4. Post the permit on the job site. The ordinance requires the permit to be affixed to the structure or a post in a conspicuous place, between 5 feet and 8 feet from the ground. 5. Complete inspections as required. The posted fee schedule shows separate slab, electrical, plumbing, and customer service inspection fees. 6. For electrical work, the city may require inspections from an approved third-party inspection agency when a permit has been obtained by a Texas-licensed electrician.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Lone Star, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Lone Star, TX. The following work is generally exempt: Minor cosmetic improvements such as painting, cabinets, countertops, floor coverings, or fixtures not affecting structural integrity; Repair or replacement of existing residential fences; Appliance installation that does not require additional electrical, gas, or plumbing services; Retaining walls less than 4 feet tall; Playground equipment at a single-family dwelling; Storage sheds without electricity and water; Installation of prefab carports; Alterations or repairs costing less than $1,000.00. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026
source City Secretary / Building Inspection Department ↗
entry id permits/texas/morris/lone-star-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City Secretary / Building Inspection Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.