City Building Permits

Nacogdoches, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Nacogdoches County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Nacogdoches.

Department
Inspections / Code Compliance
Address
202 East Pilar Street, Nacogdoches, TX 75961
Phone
(936) 559-2551
Website
https://www.nactx.us/885/Forms-and-Applications

Online Permit Portal

Open MGO Connect

Platform: MGO Connect • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Review the official Forms and Applications page and download the applicable building packet, application, and plan-submittal instructions.
  2. Prepare the application, legal description, address information, plot plan, and building plans. Two complete sets of plans are required.
  3. Ensure the contractor holds a valid Nacogdoches contractor license. The city requires a $5,000.00 license and permit bond and a $25.00 city license fee.
  4. Submit through the city's online permitting system (MGO Connect) or directly to the inspections office at City Hall.
  5. Complete plan review. Allow 10 business days for plans to be reviewed and permit issued.
  6. Pay the permit fee and any applicable plan review fees.
  7. Post the permit and inspection board on site, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval and certificate of occupancy before occupancy.

Typical processing time: 10 business days for plan review and permit issuance; up to 5 days for new structure depending on workload and completeness.

Source: Inspections / Code Compliance

General Requirements

All construction in Nacogdoches must conform to adopted city codes. Building permits are required for new construction, fences and decks, signs, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work, excavation, demolition, moving houses and storage buildings, storage tanks, drainage plan review, site plan review, and new water and sewer.

Required Documents

  • Building permit application
  • Legal description
  • Address information
  • Plot plan
  • Two complete sets of plans (site, foundation, framing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, energy, and elevation information)
  • Trade-license information as applicable
  • Project-specific supporting documents such as drainage, utility, energy, asbestos-survey, or architect/engineer information where required
Permit validity
A permit expires if work is not started within 180 days or if work stops for 180 days. It may be extended one time if requested in writing before expiration.
Building code
2024 International Building Code, 2024 International Residential Code, 2024 International Plumbing Code, 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, 2024 International Mechanical Code, 2024 International Existing Building Code, 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, 2024 International Fire Code, and 2023 National Electrical Code, with local amendments per Ordinance No. 2049-07-25.
Owner-builder
Homestead exemption applies; refer to city documentation for owner-builder requirements.
Contractor requirements
Contractors must hold a valid Nacogdoches contractor license before permit issuance, provide a $5,000.00 license and permit bond, and pay a $25.00 city license fee. State licenses are also required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$25.00
Plan check fee
50% of the permit fee for commercial jobs
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based. Posted building permit fee table runs by project valuation, then switches to formulas over $180,000 and over $500,000.
Penalty (no permit)
2x permit fee if work starts before a permit is issued
Payment note
After-hours or weekend inspections have additional inspection fees (specific amount not stated in public documents)

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Oil derricks
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
  • Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons and the height-to-diameter or width ratio is not greater than 2:1
  • Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. All other unamended code exemptions remain unchanged.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • (936) 559-2551 (phone)
  • Engineering at (936) 559-2521 for driveway access inspections (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Inspections requested before 3:00 PM are performed that day; requests after 3:00 PM may be performed the following day.
Inspection hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for a new home: setbacks, plumbing rough-in, footings and foundation, driveway, sewer and water lines, rough electrical and mechanical and plumbing top-out, framing, insulation, and final inspection, followed by certificate of occupancy.

Additional Resources

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nacogdoches Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Nacogdoches, TX?
All construction in Nacogdoches must conform to adopted city codes. Building permits are required for new construction, fences and decks, signs, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work, excavation, demolition, moving houses and storage buildings, storage tanks, drainage plan review, site plan review, and new water and sewer.
How much does a building permit cost in Nacogdoches, TX?
The minimum permit fee is $25.00. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. Posted building permit fee table runs by project valuation, then switches to formulas over $180,000 and over $500,000.. Plan check fee: 50% of the permit fee for commercial jobs.
How do I apply for a building permit in Nacogdoches, TX?
1. Review the official Forms and Applications page and download the applicable building packet, application, and plan-submittal instructions. 2. Prepare the application, legal description, address information, plot plan, and building plans. Two complete sets of plans are required. 3. Ensure the contractor holds a valid Nacogdoches contractor license. The city requires a $5,000.00 license and permit bond and a $25.00 city license fee. 4. Submit through the city's online permitting system (MGO Connect) or directly to the inspections office at City Hall. 5. Complete plan review. Allow 10 business days for plans to be reviewed and permit issued. 6. Pay the permit fee and any applicable plan review fees. 7. Post the permit and inspection board on site, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval and certificate of occupancy before occupancy.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Nacogdoches, TX?
Typical processing time is 10 business days for plan review and permit issuance; up to 5 days for new structure depending on workload and completeness..
What work is exempt from building permits in Nacogdoches, TX?
The following work is generally exempt: Oil derricks; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids; Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons and the height-to-diameter or width ratio is not greater than 2:1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. All other unamended code exemptions remain unchanged.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Nacogdoches, TX?
Inspections can be scheduled via: (936) 559-2551, Engineering at (936) 559-2521 for driveway access inspections. Inspections requested before 3:00 PM are performed that day; requests after 3:00 PM may be performed the following day..

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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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