On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Shepherd
A building permit is required for new residential construction, residential remodel/addition, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, pools, fences, accessory buildings, commercial work, and manufactured homes within the City of Shepherd. Commercial occupancy requires a certificate of occupancy before the building is occupied.
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plans
- Energy code compliance documentation
- Foundation plans (residential)
- House plans (residential)
- Driveway/drainage plans as applicable (residential)
- Parking lot layout (commercial)
- Grading plans (commercial)
- Multiple plan sets (commercial)
- Fire lane/fire suppression/fire alarm materials (commercial)
- Building code
- The permit plan checklists expressly reference the IRC, IBC, and energy code compliance. The exact edition year should be confirmed from Ordinance #308 and related city records.
- Permit validity
- A permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after work begins.
- Owner-builder
- The permit forms allow the applicant/owner or authorized agent to sign. No separate public owner-builder policy was found.
- Contractor requirements
- City contractor registration is required for listed trades including electrical, master/journeyman electrician, master sign electrician, HVAC, irrigator, backflow, master/journeyman plumber, and other contractor categories. Registration requires copies of the driver's license and state license.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine whether the project is residential, commercial, or manufactured-home work and download the matching city packet from the permits page.
- 02 Register any applicable trade contractor with the city by submitting a copy of the driver's license and state license.
- 03 Prepare the permit submittal package. For commercial projects, submit readable electronic PDF plans plus site plans, grading, energy compliance, plan sets, and fire lane/fire suppression/fire alarm materials as applicable.
- 04 Submit documents and fees to the city. Residential and commercial plan review is performed by Bureau Veritas.
- 05 Respond to any plan review comments or revisions requested by Bureau Veritas.
- 06 After permit issuance, request inspections from Bureau Veritas. Requests received by 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday are performed the next business day.
- 07 Complete required inspections and obtain a certificate of occupancy for commercial projects before the building is occupied.
Source: City of Shepherd ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Shepherd building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$125 for one inspection (MEP); $440 (manufactured-home building permit)
02
Plan check fee
Included in the posted residential fee schedule under the Review column. Example: under 1,000 square feet, plan review is $250
03
Permit fee formula
Residential building permit and plan review fees are based on total covered area per the R-3 fee schedule. Residential MEP permits use a $50 base fee plus $75 per inspection up to 5,000 square feet. Manufactured-home form lists flat line items for building permit, road bore if needed, water tap, sewer tap, and deposit/connect fee. Commercial form includes line items for building permit fee, plan review fee, water tap fee, sewer tap fee, meter deposit fee, and admin fee.
The city has an online payments page, but the public permit materials reviewed do not show a self-service permit application portal
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Bureau Veritas inspection request by phone (phone)
- Bureau Veritas inspection request by email (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests received by 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday are performed the next business day
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday
Typical sequence: Residential: foundation, rough framing, rough energy, and building final are included in the permit fee. Additional common stages include plumbing rough, electrical rough, mechanical rough, insulation, flatwork, finals, and building final. Commercial: building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing stages plus final inspections.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Shepherd permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Shepherd, TX? ▸
A building permit is required for new residential construction, residential remodel/addition, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, pools, fences, accessory buildings, commercial work, and manufactured homes within the City of Shepherd. Commercial occupancy requires a certificate of occupancy before the building is occupied.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Shepherd, TX? ▸
Building permit fees in Shepherd, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $125 for one inspection (MEP); $440 (manufactured-home building permit). Fees are calculated as: Residential building permit and plan review fees are based on total covered area per the R-3 fee schedule. Residential MEP permits use a $50 base fee plus $75 per inspection up to 5,000 square feet. Manufactured-home form lists flat line items for building permit, road bore if needed, water tap, sewer tap, and deposit/connect fee. Commercial form includes line items for building permit fee, plan review fee, water tap fee, sewer tap fee, meter deposit fee, and admin fee.. Plan check fee: Included in the posted residential fee schedule under the Review column. Example: under 1,000 square feet, plan review is $250.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Shepherd, TX? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Shepherd, TX, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project is residential, commercial, or manufactured-home work and download the matching city packet from the permits page. 2. Register any applicable trade contractor with the city by submitting a copy of the driver's license and state license. 3. Prepare the permit submittal package. For commercial projects, submit readable electronic PDF plans plus site plans, grading, energy compliance, plan sets, and fire lane/fire suppression/fire alarm materials as applicable. 4. Submit documents and fees to the city. Residential and commercial plan review is performed by Bureau Veritas. 5. Respond to any plan review comments or revisions requested by Bureau Veritas. 6. After permit issuance, request inspections from Bureau Veritas. Requests received by 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday are performed the next business day. 7. Complete required inspections and obtain a certificate of occupancy for commercial projects before the building is occupied.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Shepherd, TX? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Shepherd, TX via: Bureau Veritas inspection request by phone, Bureau Veritas inspection request by email. Requests received by 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday are performed the next business day.
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Shepherd before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.