El Campo, TX - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The city describes its development guide as applying in El Campo city limits and ETJ, but the permit pages speak in terms of development and permitting within the City of El Campo. Parcel-level verification is appropriate in ETJ locations because platting, site review, and floodplain review can extend beyond straightforward city-limits building-permit questions.

Department

Inspections & Planning Department

Address

315 E. Jackson St., El Campo, TX 77437

Phone

979-541-5020

Email

permits@cityofelcampo.org

Website

https://www.cityofelcampo.org/departments/planning/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether a pre-development meeting is needed. El Campo strongly suggests pre-development meetings for due diligence, and states that new projects involving more than one trade must have a pre-development meeting.
2. If the project also requires platting, rezoning, a special use permit, or a variance, obtain those approvals first through the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustments, and/or City Council before permit submittal.
3. Assemble the permit application and required supporting documents. The city provides a building permit form, info sheet, new-construction checklist, plan review form, and contractor registration form in the Development Services document center.
4. Submit the complete application package to the Permit Clerk in person at City Hall or online through the iWorQ permit portal. The city says incomplete or inaccurate applications delay issuance.
5. Pay plan review fees at submittal when plan review is required. The development guide states plan review fees are due when the building permit application is submitted.
6. Complete contractor registration if a contractor is involved. The development guide states all contractors are required to register with the city and provide a certificate of liability insurance listing the City of El Campo as certificate holder.
7. After all required documentation is received, the Building Official reviews the application for code compliance and issues the permit when approved.
8. Request inspections before 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the requested inspection date, then complete all required inspections before occupancy. The city states no work should be covered until inspected and approved.

Source: Inspections & Planning Department

General Requirements

El Campo states that projects require a permit when building safety may be affected, and its published permit materials specifically list fences, reroofs, porches, decks, stairs, landings, room additions, accessory buildings, siding, doors, windows, signs, retaining walls, demolition, driveways, walkways, sidewalks, and swimming pools. New construction, renovation, repair, demolition, and mobile home placement are also on the city form.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Applicant and owner information
• Project valuation and square footage
• Zoning and flood zone information
• Application fee
• Preliminary site sketch for remodels
• Concept plan and site plan materials for additions
• New-construction checklist items for new structures
• Plans and engineering where applicable
• TDLR project number for covered commercial work
• Floodplain materials where applicable
• Additional documents requested by the city

Building code

The city enforces state and city codes and ordinances. Exact currently adopted building-code editions not clearly identified on public permit pages.

Contractor requirements

El Campo requires contractor registration. The contractor registration form says state-licensed contractors still must register with the city, but they do not pay the local contractor registration fee. The city requires a certificate of insurance of at least $100,000 naming the City of El Campo as certificate holder.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$40.00 for residential permits; $75.00 for demolition; $100.00 for manufactured home placement

Plan check fee

Standard residential and commercial staff plan review is 50% of the building permit fee. Express plan review is 75% of the building permit fee. Third-party engineer review is pass-through actual cost with $500.00 minimum deposit for standard or $1,000.00 minimum for express.

Permit fee formula

Residential new construction is $40.00 plus $0.40 per square foot for the first 6,000 square feet, then $0.20 per square foot. Commercial construction permits are based on project valuation. Several miscellaneous permits use flat-plus-area formulas or flat fees.

Penalty (no permit)

Failure to obtain proper permits may result in penalties.

Payment note

Plan review fees are due at submittal. Building permit fees must be paid before permit issuance. Remaining engineer review fees must be paid before permit release.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Inspections & Planning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 979-541-5020 (phone)
• iWorQ permit portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be submitted before 5:00 p.m. the day before the requested date.

Inspection hours

7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday

Typical inspection sequence: Layout, forms/foundation, framing, windstorm, sheathing, insulation, brick ties, drywall, roofing, and final building inspections; temporary service, underground, rough-in, meter loop/permanent service, and final electrical inspections; rough-in and final mechanical inspections; rough-in, top-out, sewer line, water line, shower pan, gas test, water heater, vacuum breaker, and final plumbing inspections; plus placement inspection for manufactured homes and a separate pool inspection sequence.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The city enforces state and city codes and ordinances. Exact currently adopted building-code editions not clearly identified on public permit pages.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Development Services
• GIS Map Viewer
• Contractor License Application
• Development Guide
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

El Campo Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in El Campo, TX?

El Campo states that projects require a permit when building safety may be affected, and its published permit materials specifically list fences, reroofs, porches, decks, stairs, landings, room additions, accessory buildings, siding, doors, windows, signs, retaining walls, demolition, driveways, walkways, sidewalks, and swimming pools. New construction, renovation, repair, demolition, and mobile home placement are also on the city form.

How much does a building permit cost in El Campo, TX?

The minimum permit fee is $40.00 for residential permits; $75.00 for demolition; $100.00 for manufactured home placement. Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction is $40.00 plus $0.40 per square foot for the first 6,000 square feet, then $0.20 per square foot. Commercial construction permits are based on project valuation. Several miscellaneous permits use flat-plus-area formulas or flat fees.. Plan check fee: Standard residential and commercial staff plan review is 50% of the building permit fee. Express plan review is 75% of the building permit fee. Third-party engineer review is pass-through actual cost with $500.00 minimum deposit for standard or $1,000.00 minimum for express..

How do I apply for a building permit in El Campo, TX?

1. Determine whether a pre-development meeting is needed. El Campo strongly suggests pre-development meetings for due diligence, and states that new projects involving more than one trade must have a pre-development meeting. 2. If the project also requires platting, rezoning, a special use permit, or a variance, obtain those approvals first through the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustments, and/or City Council before permit submittal. 3. Assemble the permit application and required supporting documents. The city provides a building permit form, info sheet, new-construction checklist, plan review form, and contractor registration form in the Development Services document center. 4. Submit the complete application package to the Permit Clerk in person at City Hall or online through the iWorQ permit portal. The city says incomplete or inaccurate applications delay issuance. 5. Pay plan review fees at submittal when plan review is required. The development guide states plan review fees are due when the building permit application is submitted. 6. Complete contractor registration if a contractor is involved. The development guide states all contractors are required to register with the city and provide a certificate of liability insurance listing the City of El Campo as certificate holder. 7. After all required documentation is received, the Building Official reviews the application for code compliance and issues the permit when approved. 8. Request inspections before 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the requested inspection date, then complete all required inspections before occupancy. The city states no work should be covered until inspected and approved.

How do I schedule a building inspection in El Campo, TX?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 979-541-5020, iWorQ permit portal. Inspection requests must be submitted before 5:00 p.m. the day before the requested date..

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