City Building Permits

Laredo, TX Building Permit Guide

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

Texas Webb County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Laredo.

Department: Building Development Services
Address: 1413 Houston St., Laredo, TX 78040
Phone: 956-794-1625
Email: bldgpermits@ci.laredo.tx.us
Website: https://www.cityoflaredo.com/departments/building-development-services

Online Permit Portal

Open Avolve PaperlessNow Portal

Platform: Avolve • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Identify the permit type: residential building, commercial construction, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, floodplain development, solar, right-of-way, business license, or certificate of occupancy.
Download the required permit application, checklist, and sample drawings from the Permit Applications & Requirements page.
Prepare construction documents and supporting materials according to city standards.
Submit the application by email to the appropriate city permitting address or through the Avolve portal with all required documents and fees.
City staff conducts plan review and issues comments or requests for revisions.
Applicant resubmits revised documents if required.
Permit is issued; applicant may begin work and schedule inspections.
Inspections are conducted and final approval is issued upon completion.

Typical processing time: Varies by project type and complexity; typical plan review is 10-15 business days.

Source: Building Development Services

General Requirements

Building permits are required for all new construction, renovation, and alteration projects within the City of Laredo.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Construction drawings and plans
Site plan
Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing plans if applicable
Proof of property ownership or authorization
Contractor TDLR license and liability insurance

Permit validity: Permits are valid for one year from issuance; extensions require city approval.
Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), International Fire Code (IFC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), and 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC).
Owner-builder: Owner-builders must comply with all applicable code and may require professional engineering review depending on project scope.
Contractor requirements: Contractors must hold a current Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) license and maintain current liability insurance throughout the project.

Fees

Payment note: Contact Building Development Services for current fee schedule and payment options.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building Development Services to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

956-794-1625 (phone)
bldgpermits@ci.laredo.tx.us (email)

Scheduling deadline: Inspection requests should be submitted one business day in advance when possible.
Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Time windows: Contact Building Development Services for available inspection time windows.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical inspection sequence includes: foundation, framing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-in, insulation, drywall, final building, and specialty trade inspections as required.

Remote video inspections may be available for certain inspection types; contact the city for eligibility.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), International Fire Code (IFC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), and 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC).
Verify contractor license: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) License Lookup
Zoning Enforcement
Right-of-Way Management
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 Building Development Services before applying.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Laredo can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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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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