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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Austwell
Austwell publishes active permit forms for building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, manufactured homes, moving buildings or industrialized houses, demolition, culverts, water or sewer taps, and homeowner repairs. All electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work requires a permit regardless of whether a building permit is also required.
Roof-covering repairs under 100 square feet when no structural work is needed
Gutter repairs
Door replacement when no framing is involved
Wheelchair-ramp or hand-railing repairs
Fascia replacement or repair
Repairs to steps
Concrete flatwork that ends at the property line (culverts still require permits and drawings)
Protective measures before a storm
Leveling and repairs to an existing slab-on-grade foundation unless wall anchorage is being altered or repaired
Fence repair
Painting, carpet, and sheetrock repair
Plumbing work limited to toilets, sinks, water heaters with no additional piping, and repairs to water service or outside water lines in the meter box
HVAC work limited to replacement of filters and grills
Electrical work limited to replacement of switches, receptacles, breakers, fuses, light fixtures, and lamps when there is no wiring change
- Exempt Roof-covering repairs under 100 square feet when no structural work is needed
- Exempt Gutter repairs
- Exempt Door replacement when no framing is involved
- Exempt Wheelchair-ramp or hand-railing repairs
- Exempt Fascia replacement or repair
- Exempt Repairs to steps
- Exempt Concrete flatwork that ends at the property line (culverts still require permits and drawings)
- Exempt Protective measures before a storm
- Exempt Leveling and repairs to an existing slab-on-grade foundation unless wall anchorage is being altered or repaired
- Exempt Fence repair
- Exempt Painting, carpet, and sheetrock repair
- Exempt Plumbing work limited to toilets, sinks, water heaters with no additional piping, and repairs to water service or outside water lines in the meter box
- Exempt HVAC work limited to replacement of filters and grills
- Exempt Electrical work limited to replacement of switches, receptacles, breakers, fuses, light fixtures, and lamps when there is no wiring change
Note: Confirm edge cases with the Building Official before proceeding.
Required documents
- Statement of Intent
- Detailed work description
- Available drawings
- Windstorm engineered drawings for new buildings
- Building permit application
- Contractor registration
- Contractor and master licenses for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC as applicable
- Driver's license
- Proof of insurance
- Trade permit applications for the work involved
- Permit validity
- A permit becomes void if work does not commence within 60 days of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 60 days. Written extension requests accepted no more than 2 days before deadline for a possible 7-day extension.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may do the work if they obtain appropriate permits and the Building Official determines they are capable of completing work to code. If approved, homeowner is held to same inspection criteria and may not hire general contractors or subcontractors for that approved work.
- Contractor requirements
- Each contractor must register with the city. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC contractors must provide contractor and master licenses, driver's licenses, and proof of insurance. General contractors pay a registration application fee; other contractors do not.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 10 workdays for a new-build Statement of Intent response with a full plan; 72 hours for minor projects; 48 hours for inspection response
- 01 Submit a Statement of Intent describing the proposed work; new buildings must include windstorm engineered drawings.
- 02 The Building Official reviews the Statement of Intent and determines permit requirements, types, and expected inspections.
- 03 The City Secretary calculates fees using the Determination of Permit worksheet and informs the applicant.
- 04 Applicant completes the building permit application and each contractor registers and submits trade-specific permits.
- 05 The city issues permits before work starts. Work performed without a granted permit is charged at double the normal fee.
- 06 Applicant requests inspections and provides the city 48 hours to inspect.
- 07 The city requires a copy of the TDI building inspection before the final city inspection.
- 08 After final inspection and compliance, the city issues the Certificate of Occupancy.
Typical processing time: 10 workdays for a new-build Statement of Intent response with a full plan; 72 hours for minor projects; 48 hours for inspection response
§ 04
Fee schedule
Austwell building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25
02
Permit fee formula
Tiered flat building-permit base by square-foot bracket: $25 for up to 600 sq ft, $100 for 601-1599 sq ft, $200 for 1600-2599 sq ft, $300 for 2600-3599 sq ft, $400 for 3600+ sq ft. Separate flat trade-permit charges: $25 electrical, $25 HVAC, $25 plumbing, $25 demolition, $25 culvert. All inspections $95 each.
03
Trade permit fee
$25 per trade permit
04
Reinspection fee
$95 per inspection
05
Penalty (no permit)
2x normal permit fee for work completed without a granted permit
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- City Hall (in-person)
- 361-349-1399 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Provide the city 48 hours to inspect
- Inspection hours
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM (closed Tuesday and Thursday)
Typical sequence: Temporary power if needed; pre-pour foundation rough for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and building; rough inspection when framed but before completion; final inspection for each trade; TDI inspection before final city inspection; Certificate of Occupancy
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Austwell permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Austwell, TX? ▸
Austwell publishes active permit forms for building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, manufactured homes, moving buildings or industrialized houses, demolition, culverts, water or sewer taps, and homeowner repairs. All electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work requires a permit regardless of whether a building permit is also required.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Austwell, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in Austwell, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $25. Fees are calculated as: Tiered flat building-permit base by square-foot bracket: $25 for up to 600 sq ft, $100 for 601-1599 sq ft, $200 for 1600-2599 sq ft, $300 for 2600-3599 sq ft, $400 for 3600+ sq ft. Separate flat trade-permit charges: $25 electrical, $25 HVAC, $25 plumbing, $25 demolition, $25 culvert. All inspections $95 each..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Austwell, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Austwell, TX, follow these steps: 1. Submit a Statement of Intent describing the proposed work; new buildings must include windstorm engineered drawings. 2. The Building Official reviews the Statement of Intent and determines permit requirements, types, and expected inspections. 3. The City Secretary calculates fees using the Determination of Permit worksheet and informs the applicant. 4. Applicant completes the building permit application and each contractor registers and submits trade-specific permits. 5. The city issues permits before work starts. Work performed without a granted permit is charged at double the normal fee. 6. Applicant requests inspections and provides the city 48 hours to inspect. 7. The city requires a copy of the TDI building inspection before the final city inspection. 8. After final inspection and compliance, the city issues the Certificate of Occupancy.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Austwell, TX? ▸
Building permit processing times in Austwell, TX typically run 10 workdays for a new-build Statement of Intent response with a full plan; 72 hours for minor projects; 48 hours for inspection response. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Austwell, TX? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Austwell, TX. The following work is generally exempt: Roof-covering repairs under 100 square feet when no structural work is needed; Gutter repairs; Door replacement when no framing is involved; Wheelchair-ramp or hand-railing repairs; Fascia replacement or repair; Repairs to steps; Concrete flatwork that ends at the property line (culverts still require permits and drawings); Protective measures before a storm; Leveling and repairs to an existing slab-on-grade foundation unless wall anchorage is being altered or repaired; Fence repair; Painting, carpet, and sheetrock repair; Plumbing work limited to toilets, sinks, water heaters with no additional piping, and repairs to water service or outside water lines in the meter box; HVAC work limited to replacement of filters and grills; Electrical work limited to replacement of switches, receptacles, breakers, fuses, light fixtures, and lamps when there is no wiring change. Note: Confirm edge cases with the Building Official before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Austwell, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Austwell, TX via: City Hall, 361-349-1399. Provide the city 48 hours to inspect.
last verified April 2026
source City of Austwell / Building Official ↗
entry id permits/texas/refugio/austwell
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Austwell / Building Official before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.