City Building Permits
Kilgore, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Kilgore, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Kilgore extends into Gregg and Rusk Counties. This section covers only the Rusk County portion of the city, and parcel-level jurisdiction should be verified.
- Department
- Building Services
- Address
- 815 N Kilgore Street, Kilgore, TX 75662
- Phone
- 903-984-5081; permit office 903-988-4119
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Kilgore Permit Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Register as a contractor if applicable.
- Submit through the Kilgore Permit Portal or email the PDF permit package to permits@cityofkilgore.com.
- Use the city permit page for the correct application, checklist, and procedure sheet.
- After department review and approval, the permit technician contacts the applicant for payment and then issues the permit.
- Schedule inspections with the permit office by email or phone and allow 24 to 48 hours.
Typical processing time: Allow 24 to 48 hours for inspections.
Source: Building Services
General Requirements
Kilgore publishes permit applications and procedures for commercial building, residential building, accessory structures, demolition, driveway approaches, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, roofing, swimming pools, solar, generators, and site development.
Required Documents
- Permit application forms by type
- Checklists
- Procedures
- Sample plan materials
- Building code
- 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IPC, IEBC, IFC, ISPSC, 2015 IECC, and 2023 NEC (adopted by Ordinances 1910 and 1918)
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must register with the city. The contractor-information page requires a contractor application, certificate of insurance with at least $300,000 liability coverage or a $15,000 surety bond, and trade licenses if applicable.
Fees
- Plan check fee
- See posted Master Fee Schedule
- Reinspection fee
- See posted Master Fee Schedule
- Payment note
- The city contacts the applicant for payment after review and approval, then issues the permit.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Building Services to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- permits@cityofkilgore.com (email)
- 903-988-4119 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Permit submittal, department review, permit issuance after payment, then required inspections using the city's checklists and flowcharts.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IPC, IEBC, IFC, ISPSC, 2015 IECC, and 2023 NEC (adopted by Ordinances 1910 and 1918)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Permits
- Contractor Information
- Current Building Code
- Master Fee Schedule
- License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Building Services before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kilgore Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Kilgore, TX?
- Kilgore publishes permit applications and procedures for commercial building, residential building, accessory structures, demolition, driveway approaches, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, roofing, swimming pools, solar, generators, and site development.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Kilgore, TX?
- 1. Register as a contractor if applicable. 2. Submit through the Kilgore Permit Portal or email the PDF permit package to permits@cityofkilgore.com. 3. Use the city permit page for the correct application, checklist, and procedure sheet. 4. After department review and approval, the permit technician contacts the applicant for payment and then issues the permit. 5. Schedule inspections with the permit office by email or phone and allow 24 to 48 hours.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Kilgore, TX?
- Typical processing time is Allow 24 to 48 hours for inspections..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Kilgore, TX?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: permits@cityofkilgore.com, 903-988-4119.
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