Brenham, TX — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Development Services Department - Building

Street address

200 W. Vulcan, 2nd Floor, Brenham, TX 77833

Phone

979-337-7220

shill@cityofbrenham.org

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of Brenham city limits. Verify parcel location if a tract is near the city boundary or in ETJ.

Online portal

Accela Citizen Access

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Brenham

A building permit is required before any construction starts. Permit-required work includes signage, new homes or structures, foundations, decks, storage or accessory buildings, additions, interior and exterior remodeling, carports, garage enclosures, renovations, manufactured homes, prefabricated structures, temporary buildings, demolitions, driveways, commercial parking, sidewalks, water heater replacements, insulation, swimming pools, retaining walls, sprinkler irrigation systems, mechanical or HVAC systems, electrical systems, and plumbing systems.

Scope of work

Permit?

Painting

Exempt

Wallpapering

Exempt

Carpeting

Exempt

Flooring

Exempt

Cabinets

Exempt

Countertops

Exempt

Exempt Painting
Exempt Wallpapering
Exempt Carpeting
Exempt Flooring
Exempt Cabinets
Exempt Countertops

Required documents

Permit application
Set of plans
Project-specific checklist materials
Full-size drawings for utility work
One complete electronic plan set for commercial review
Utility tap sizing on drawings when utilities are involved

Building code: 2021 IBC, 2021 IPMC, 2020 NEC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IRC, and 2021 IEBC, with local amendments in Chapter 6 of the code of ordinances.
Permit validity: No public Brenham permit-expiration rule was clearly posted in the reviewed sources.
Owner-builder: No Brenham owner-builder handout was found in the sources reviewed.
Contractor requirements: Commercial and residential general contractors and subcontractors must provide general liability insurance with the City of Brenham as certificate holder. Contractors licensed by the state must provide a copy of the current license and driver's license. A master may authorize a journeyman to work under that license.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Ten business days for plan review unless special circumstances or delays occur.

01

Confirm the project requires a permit by reviewing the city building page and permit-required list.
02

Prepare the application and plans. The city requires permit applications plus a set of plans for projects within the city.
03

Submit through the online permit portal or with Development Services. The city publishes commercial and residential plan review checklists.
04

If the project needs utility service, complete the utility deposit and utility tap applications with the related city departments.
05

Wait for plan review. The city processes plan review within ten business days unless special circumstances or delays extend review.
06

Pay permit fees after approval and pull the permit. No work may be performed until a permit has been issued and fees received.
07

Schedule inspections at least one business day in advance through the online permit portal, by email, or by phone.
08

Pass all required inspections, including final inspection, before occupancy or project closeout.

Typical processing time: Ten business days for plan review unless special circumstances or delays occur.

Source: Development Services Department - Building ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective 2025

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$25 base permit fee for all permits; $100 minimum for commercial permits

Permit fee formula

Commercial permits are valuation-based. Residential fees are mostly flat or square-foot based. New residential construction is $0.65 per square foot; additions and remodels are $500; residential trade permits are $100 total; pools are $350.

Trade permit fee

$100

Reinspection fee

$100

Penalty (no permit)

Double the total permitting fee for work started before permit issuance

Permit fees are paid after city review and approval and before permit issuance. Utility deposits and tap fees are paid through the related city departments when applicable.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2025) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Online permit portal (online)
Development Services email (email)
979-337-7220 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Inspections must be scheduled one business day in advance.
Inspection hours: No public inspection-hour window was found in the reviewed materials.

Typical sequence: Typical residential sequence: temporary pole, plumbing rough-in or underground, sewer yard line and water service line, slab and flatwork, combined FMEP cover inspection, electric underground if applicable, insulation, electric service or meter loop, and combined finals.

Source: Development Services Department - Building ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Brenham permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Brenham, TX? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Brenham, TX? ▸

Building permit fees in Brenham, TX are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $25 base permit fee for all permits; $100 minimum for commercial permits. Fees are calculated as: Commercial permits are valuation-based. Residential fees are mostly flat or square-foot based. New residential construction is $0.65 per square foot; additions and remodels are $500; residential trade permits are $100 total; pools are $350..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Brenham, TX? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Brenham, TX, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the project requires a permit by reviewing the city building page and permit-required list. 2. Prepare the application and plans. The city requires permit applications plus a set of plans for projects within the city. 3. Submit through the online permit portal or with Development Services. The city publishes commercial and residential plan review checklists. 4. If the project needs utility service, complete the utility deposit and utility tap applications with the related city departments. 5. Wait for plan review. The city processes plan review within ten business days unless special circumstances or delays extend review. 6. Pay permit fees after approval and pull the permit. No work may be performed until a permit has been issued and fees received. 7. Schedule inspections at least one business day in advance through the online permit portal, by email, or by phone. 8. Pass all required inspections, including final inspection, before occupancy or project closeout.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Brenham, TX? ▸

Building permit processing times in Brenham, TX typically run Ten business days for plan review unless special circumstances or delays occur.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Brenham, TX? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Brenham, TX. The following work is generally exempt: Painting; Wallpapering; Carpeting; Flooring; Cabinets; Countertops. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Brenham, TX? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Brenham, TX via: Online permit portal, Development Services email, 979-337-7220. Inspections must be scheduled one business day in advance..

last verified April 2026 source Development Services Department - Building ↗ entry id permits/texas/washington/brenham

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Development Services Department - Building before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Brenham

Other jurisdictions in Washington County.