Information may be inaccurate or out of date. Always confirm permit requirements with the official city, county or state website before you start work. Read our disclaimer

Building Permits in Austin, Texas

Part of Travis County.

We checked Austin's own official pages for 8 types of projects (shed, fence, deck, roof, pool, tree removal, solar panels, demolition). Permits are issued by City of Austin building department. Every rule below links to the page it was taken from, so you can confirm it before you start work. Last verified September 29, 2026.

Verified permit information is available for 3 project types in Austin.

Verified Permit Categories

Austin rules in detail

Shed

Size limit (sq ft)
200 source: austintexas.gov
Height limit (ft)
15 source: austintexas.gov

Fence

Conditions
Required if your fence is located in a flood hazard area or over 8 feet high. source: austintexas.gov
Permit required
Depends source: austintexas.gov
Height limit (ft)
7 source: austintexas.gov

Deck

Size limit (sq ft)
200 source: austintexas.gov
Exempt from a permit
A deck that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, is no more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling or townhouse, does not provide egress from the dwelling, and is not located within a flood hazard area. source: austintexas.gov

Roof

Exempt from a permit
Asphalt shingles that replace existing asphalt shingles, unless the property is located in the Wildland-Urban Interface area and 50% or more of the roofing is being replaced. Replacement of any roof covering that does not adversely affect the roof structure, unless the property is located in the Wildland-Urban Interface area and 50% or more of the roofing is being replaced. source: austintexas.gov

Pool

Exempt from a permit
A swimming pool that is prefabricated and less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep. Anything not covered under Section 801.1 of the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code will be exempt. source: austintexas.gov

Tree Removal

Permit required
Depends source: austintexas.gov
Conditions
Required to cut down or impact a regulated tree on one and two-dwelling unit residential property. source: austintexas.gov

Solar Panels

Conditions
Required for solar systems that are interconnected to Austin Energy's distribution system and in their service area. source: austintexas.gov

Demolition

Conditions
Required for all total demolitions and qualifying partial demolitions that remove more than half of exterior walls. source: austintexas.gov

Not yet verified

These permit categories do not yet have enough verified information to publish a linked permit page.

  • Deck
  • Roof
  • Pool
  • Patio
  • Pergola
  • Garage
  • Carport
  • Solar Panels
  • HVAC
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Driveway
  • ADU
  • Home Addition
  • Demolition
  • Windows
  • Water Heater

Where to apply

City of Austin building department · official website · apply online

Permit guides