City of Livingston

Building permits are required for all construction within the corporate limits. The city separately publishes permit information for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. The fee schedule also covers residential new construction, residential alterations and additions, accessory structures, fences, pools, manufactured homes, generators, trade permits, and commercial and multi-family construction.

Building code

International Building Code (2018), International Residential Code (2018), National Electrical Code (2020), National Electrical Safety Code (2020), International Plumbing Code (2018), International Mechanical Code (2018), International Fire Code (2018), International Fuel Gas Code (2009), International Property Maintenance Code (2018), International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2018)

Owner-builder

For manufactured homes: only one residence per legally described lot and requires proof of ownership or rental agreement.

Contractor requirements

State law licensed contractors are required for plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning work. Electrical contractors must provide state contractor and master electrician licenses plus current insurance. Plumbing work must be done by a master or journeyman plumber with valid state license; only the master plumber can pull plumbing permits. Mechanical contractors must be state licensed and provide current insurance.

1. 01
   Review the applicable city codes, fee schedule, and permit forms on the Building Codes & Permits page.
2. 02
   Prepare the application and supporting materials. For new commercial work, the city requires three plan sets, one of which may be electronic, plus supporting documents and any water or sewer tap application if needed.
3. 03
   File the application in person with the Community Development Coordinator at Livingston City Hall, 200 W Church Street.
4. 04
   Respond to city review comments and any additional requirements. For new commercial building permits, the city says written comments and notice of additional requirements will be provided within 10 business days.
5. 05
   Obtain trade permits as needed for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, and similar work, and do not begin work until permits are approved and issued.
6. 06
   Call in required inspections during construction. No second-stage work may proceed until prior-stage inspections are approved.
7. 07
   Complete final inspections and obtain the certificate of occupancy where required.

Typical processing time: New commercial building permits: written comments and notice of additional requirements within 10 business days.

Source: Community Development ↗

All fees billed upon issuance of permit. 20% administrative-services add-on applies to outsourced plan review and inspection.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective September 1, 2025) before budgeting.

• (936) 327-4311 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Contractors and tradesmen must call in their own inspections and be present for the inspection.

Typical sequence: Ground plumbing, Foundation, Paving (if applicable), Frame, Plumbing top out, Electrical rough, A/C and heating rough, Insulation, Water and sewer outside structure, Plumbing final including gas test, Electrical final, A/C and heating final, Grading, Fire final (where applicable), Building final

Source: Community Development ↗