On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Amarillo
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, must apply for and obtain the required permit first.
One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet
Many minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs
Most residential fences 8 feet or less (except pool/spa barriers)
Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge
Roofing repairs of one square (100 square feet) or less
Driveways within private lot lines excluding approaches
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Shallow prefabricated pools
Playground equipment
Some window awnings
Certain detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet and 30 inches above grade
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet
- Exempt Many minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs
- Exempt Most residential fences 8 feet or less (except pool/spa barriers)
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Roofing repairs of one square (100 square feet) or less
- Exempt Driveways within private lot lines excluding approaches
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Shallow prefabricated pools
- Exempt Playground equipment
- Exempt Some window awnings
- Exempt Certain detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet and 30 inches above grade
Note: Permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates code or other laws. Call Building Safety with exemption questions.
Required documents
- Varies by permit type. Construction documents and project-specific forms are required. First-time or residential/master-plan submittals require complete code-compliant plans in PDF format plus supporting documents such as energy-code compliance materials and engineering when applicable.
- Building code
- Current code list adopted October 2023, effective January 2024: 2021 International Fire Code, 2021 International Building Code, 2015 International Energy Conservation Code, 2021 International Existing Building Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 ISPSC, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Residential Code. Current state-adopted electrical code is the 2023 NEC.
- Permit validity
- Permit applications with plans are considered abandoned 180 days after submittal if no permit has been issued. Permit time limits vary by type: 180 days for building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, reroofing, and swimming pool permits; 90 days for manufactured home installation and sign permits; 60 days for landscape irrigation, moving, water purification/filtration, and wrecking permits.
- Owner-builder
- A homeowner can apply for a permit for the residence if that address is listed as the homeowner's homestead exemption with the Potter/Randall Appraisal District.
- Contractor requirements
- Amarillo issues contractor licensing electronically through MGO Connect and publishes license-category requirements, including city license requirements and, for some categories, surety bond and liability insurance requirements.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Master-plan residential program: 3-5 business days after plan approval. Universal turnaround for all permit types not published.
- 01 Create or log in to an MGO Connect account.
- 02 Apply for the appropriate permit or contractor license through MGO and upload the required documents.
- 03 For contractor licensing, Amarillo Building Safety reviews the uploaded documentation, invoices the fees, and issues the license after payment.
- 04 For homeowner permits, the homeowner may apply if the residence is listed as the homeowner's homestead exemption with the Potter/Randall Appraisal District.
- 05 After permit issuance, schedule inspections. Standard inspections are scheduled for the next business day; after-hours inspections may be available for occupied-residence utility service situations for an additional fee.
Typical processing time: Master-plan residential program: 3-5 business days after plan approval. Universal turnaround for all permit types not published.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Amarillo building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Permit pricing varies by type of work. Contact Building Safety for current pricing.
02
Reinspection fee
Additional fee applies after the first reinspection if repairs are still incomplete.
03
Penalty (no permit)
Late work-started-without-permit: $289 for first occurrence; $576 plus triple the required permit fee for second or subsequent occurrence within 24 months. (Note: Exempt-work page lists $250 plus permit fee for first occurrence and $500 plus three times permit fee for subsequent; verify current enforced amount directly with Building Safety.) Additional fee applies for after-hours inspections.
Contractor licenses are invoiced after review and issued after payment through the electronic process. Permit fee details vary by permit type and current schedule.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- MGO Connect (online)
- Building Safety or MGO phone support (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Standard inspections are scheduled for the next business day.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: Project-specific. Residential guidance requires approved plans on-site and identifies required inspections such as masonry inspection before veneer installation. Manufactured-home guidance references plumbing, electrical, mechanical, flatwork, and final inspections before final approval and certificate of occupancy issuance.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Amarillo permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Amarillo, TX? ▸
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, must apply for and obtain the required permit first.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Amarillo, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in Amarillo, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Permit pricing varies by type of work. Contact Building Safety for current pricing..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Amarillo, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Amarillo, TX, follow these steps: 1. Create or log in to an MGO Connect account. 2. Apply for the appropriate permit or contractor license through MGO and upload the required documents. 3. For contractor licensing, Amarillo Building Safety reviews the uploaded documentation, invoices the fees, and issues the license after payment. 4. For homeowner permits, the homeowner may apply if the residence is listed as the homeowner's homestead exemption with the Potter/Randall Appraisal District. 5. After permit issuance, schedule inspections. Standard inspections are scheduled for the next business day; after-hours inspections may be available for occupied-residence utility service situations for an additional fee.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Amarillo, TX? ▸
Building permit processing times in Amarillo, TX typically run Master-plan residential program: 3-5 business days after plan approval. Universal turnaround for all permit types not published.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Amarillo, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Amarillo, TX. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet; Many minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs; Most residential fences 8 feet or less (except pool/spa barriers); Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge; Roofing repairs of one square (100 square feet) or less; Driveways within private lot lines excluding approaches; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Shallow prefabricated pools; Playground equipment; Some window awnings; Certain detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet and 30 inches above grade. Note: Permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates code or other laws. Call Building Safety with exemption questions. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Amarillo, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Amarillo, TX via: MGO Connect, Building Safety or MGO phone support. Standard inspections are scheduled for the next business day..
last verified April 2026
source Building Safety, City of Amarillo ↗
entry id permits/texas/potter/amarillo
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Safety, City of Amarillo before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.