You are required to obtain City of Austin permits before starting any demolition or relocation project.
Verify with the Development Services Department that new construction will be permitted at the site before filing a Demolition application.

Demolitions

Depending on the extent of your work, you may be required to obtain one or more of the following permits:

• building
• electrical
• mechanical (heating/air conditioning)
• plumbing
• concrete (sidewalks and driveways in the public right-of-way)
• development.

Residential structures over 40 years old require review by the Historic Preservation Office in the Planning and Zoning Department, and possibly the Historic Landmark Commission.

Commercial structure demolitions greater than 10,000 sq. ft. require site plan approval.
For demolitions less than 10,000 sq. ft., a Site Plan Exemption can be requested.

See Demolition Permit Application for Submittal Requirements. This application applies to Residential and Commercial Structures.
All residential and commercial demolition applications are submitted to Residential Building Review - One Texas Center, 2nd floor

Relocations

There are two types of relocations for residential and commercial structures:

• Relocating a structure from outside the city limits to inside the city limits; or from inside the city limits to a different location inside the city limits
• Relocating a structure from inside the city limits to outside the city limits

See Relocation Permit Application for Submittal Requirements. This application applies to Residential and Commercial Structures.
All residential and commercial relocation applications are submitted to Residential Building Review – One Texas Center, 2nd floor.

Fees

View the Demolition/Relocation Fee Schedule. This link will re-direct you to a list of fee schedules.
For residential structures, refer to the Residential Building Plan Review and Permits Fee Schedule.
For commercial structures, refer to the Commercial Building Plan Review and Permits Fee Schedule

The residential and commercial fee schedules include fees for plan review, inspection, and tree review (if required) fees.
If your project requires review by the Historic Preservation Office, refer to Historic Preservation fee schedule.

Moving buildings

A person receiving a permit to move a building along a public right-of-way in the city is responsible for contacting Austin Police Department for a uniformed police escort.
If the building exceeds 17ft 6in in height when loaded you are responsible for contacting Austin Energy for an escort.

Flow Charts

• Review of Demolition and Relocation Permits (Buildings within a National Register Historic District)
• Review of Demolition and Relocation Permits (Buildings NOT within a Historic District)