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§ TX Smith County
City building permits

City of Whitehouse

How to apply for a building permit in City of Whitehouse, Texas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Permit / Building Inspection; Development Office

Street address
101 A Bascom Road, Whitehouse, TX 75791
Coverage
All properties within the incorporated City of Whitehouse.
Online portal
Whitehouse Permit Center
Whitehouse Permit Center
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Whitehouse

A building permit is required for new construction, additions, and alterations for new or existing structures other than cosmetic or non-structural changes.

Building code
ICC 2012 editions: IBC, IRC, IFC, IECC, IMC, IPMC, IEBC, IPC, and the 2011 NEC
Contractor requirements
Each subcontractor must pull and pay for its own permit.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 5 working days for residential; 10 working days for commercial

  1. 01
    Apply through the Whitehouse Permit Center.
  2. 02
    Use the city's Developers Guide, Residential Building Guide, and inspection-order guide to assemble the submittal.
  3. 03
    After submitting a complete application, the Development Office reviews residential applications with a stated goal of 5 working days and commercial applications with a stated goal of 10 working days.
  4. 04
    Pay permit, plan review, and any tap fees at permit issuance.

Typical processing time: 5 working days for residential; 10 working days for commercial

Source: Permit / Building Inspection; Development Office ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Whitehouse building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Fees are determined by the type of work; building, plan-review, and tap fees are due when the permit is issued.
02
Reinspection fee
May be charged if work is not ready or fails inspection

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: plumbing rough-in, foundation/footings, framing/4-pack, insulation, commercial sheetrock if applicable, then final.

Source: Permit / Building Inspection; Development Office ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Whitehouse permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Whitehouse, TX?
A building permit is required for new construction, additions, and alterations for new or existing structures other than cosmetic or non-structural changes.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Whitehouse, TX?
Building permit fees in Whitehouse, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Fees are determined by the type of work; building, plan-review, and tap fees are due when the permit is issued..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Whitehouse, TX?
To apply for a building permit in Whitehouse, TX, follow these steps: 1. Apply through the Whitehouse Permit Center. 2. Use the city's Developers Guide, Residential Building Guide, and inspection-order guide to assemble the submittal. 3. After submitting a complete application, the Development Office reviews residential applications with a stated goal of 5 working days and commercial applications with a stated goal of 10 working days. 4. Pay permit, plan review, and any tap fees at permit issuance.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Whitehouse, TX?
Building permit processing times in Whitehouse, TX typically run 5 working days for residential; 10 working days for commercial. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
last verified April 2026 source Permit / Building Inspection; Development Office ↗ entry id permits/texas/smith/whitehouse

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Permit / Building Inspection; Development Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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