Amarillo, TX Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within Amarillo city limits, including the Potter County portion of Amarillo. The city's address-request guidance also references the one-mile ETJ for addressing, but the building permit program itself serves projects done within the Amarillo city limits.

Department

Building Safety, City of Amarillo

Address

Simms Municipal Building, 808 S Buchanan St., Suite 104, Amarillo, TX 79101

Phone

(806) 378-3041

Email

building@amarillo.gov

Website

https://www.amarillo.gov/building-safety/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create or log in to an MGO Connect account.
2. Apply for the appropriate permit or contractor license through MGO and upload the required documents.
3. For contractor licensing, Amarillo Building Safety reviews the uploaded documentation, invoices the fees, and issues the license after payment.
4. For homeowner permits, the homeowner may apply if the residence is listed as the homeowner's homestead exemption with the Potter/Randall Appraisal District.
5. After permit issuance, schedule inspections. Standard inspections are scheduled for the next business day; after-hours inspections may be available for occupied-residence utility service situations for an additional fee.

Typical processing time: Master-plan residential program: 3-5 business days after plan approval. Universal turnaround for all permit types not published.

Source: Building Safety, City of Amarillo

General Requirements

Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, must apply for and obtain the required permit first.

Required Documents

• Varies by permit type. Construction documents and project-specific forms are required. First-time or residential/master-plan submittals require complete code-compliant plans in PDF format plus supporting documents such as energy-code compliance materials and engineering when applicable.

Permit validity

Permit applications with plans are considered abandoned 180 days after submittal if no permit has been issued. Permit time limits vary by type: 180 days for building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, reroofing, and swimming pool permits; 90 days for manufactured home installation and sign permits; 60 days for landscape irrigation, moving, water purification/filtration, and wrecking permits.

Building code

Current code list adopted October 2023, effective January 2024: 2021 International Fire Code, 2021 International Building Code, 2015 International Energy Conservation Code, 2021 International Existing Building Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 ISPSC, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Residential Code. Current state-adopted electrical code is the 2023 NEC.

Owner-builder

A homeowner can apply for a permit for the residence if that address is listed as the homeowner's homestead exemption with the Potter/Randall Appraisal District.

Contractor requirements

Amarillo issues contractor licensing electronically through MGO Connect and publishes license-category requirements, including city license requirements and, for some categories, surety bond and liability insurance requirements.

Fees

Permit fee formula

Permit pricing varies by type of work. Contact Building Safety for current pricing.

Reinspection fee

Additional fee applies after the first reinspection if repairs are still incomplete.

Penalty (no permit)

Late work-started-without-permit: $289 for first occurrence; $576 plus triple the required permit fee for second or subsequent occurrence within 24 months. (Note: Exempt-work page lists $250 plus permit fee for first occurrence and $500 plus three times permit fee for subsequent; verify current enforced amount directly with Building Safety.) Additional fee applies for after-hours inspections.

Payment note

Contractor licenses are invoiced after review and issued after payment through the electronic process. Permit fee details vary by permit type and current schedule.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet
• Many minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs
• Most residential fences 8 feet or less (except pool/spa barriers)
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge
• Roofing repairs of one square (100 square feet) or less
• Driveways within private lot lines excluding approaches
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Shallow prefabricated pools
• Playground equipment
• Some window awnings
• Certain detached decks not exceeding 200 square feet and 30 inches above grade

Important: Permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates code or other laws. Call Building Safety with exemption questions.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• MGO Connect (online)
• Building Safety or MGO phone support (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Standard inspections are scheduled for the next business day.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Project-specific. Residential guidance requires approved plans on-site and identifies required inspections such as masonry inspection before veneer installation. Manufactured-home guidance references plumbing, electrical, mechanical, flatwork, and final inspections before final approval and certificate of occupancy issuance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Current code list adopted October 2023, effective January 2024: 2021 International Fire Code, 2021 International Building Code, 2015 International Energy Conservation Code, 2021 International Existing Building Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 ISPSC, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Residential Code. Current state-adopted electrical code is the 2023 NEC.
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Building Safety Main Page
• Certificate of Occupancy
• City Code of Ordinances
• License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Potter County