City Building Permits

Whitehouse, TX Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Smith County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Whitehouse.

Department: Permit / Building Inspection; Development Office
Address: 101 A Bascom Road, Whitehouse, TX 75791
Phone: 903-510-7500
Website: https://whitehousetx.org/164/Permits-Building-Inspection

Online Permit Portal

Open Whitehouse Permit Center

Platform: Whitehouse Permit Center • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Apply through the Whitehouse Permit Center.
Use the city's Developers Guide, Residential Building Guide, and inspection-order guide to assemble the submittal.
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.
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

General Requirements

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.

Fees

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

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Permit / Building Inspection; Development Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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

Additional Resources

Building code: ICC 2012 editions: IBC, IRC, IFC, IECC, IMC, IPMC, IEBC, IPC, and the 2011 NEC
Verify contractor license: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Permits and Building Inspection
Developers Guide
Documents and Guides
License lookup guide: Texas Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Texas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Texas hub: Texas Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Permit / Building Inspection; Development Office before applying.

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Navigating permits in Whitehouse can be complicated.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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