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Follow these instructions for submitting the electronic application for Volume Builder building permit applications to speed processing and ensure that all required materials are submitted.

What you will find on this page:

General Requirements for Submittals
  • All construction documents must be vector PDF files.
  • Construction documents with an electronic seal by the design professional must be flattened in order to work with reviewers’ software.
  • Security settings applied to PDFs must allow reviewers to mark up and merge PDFs.
  • Security settings applied to PDFs should allow reviewers to apply stamps for the record set
  • If security settings do not allow for markup such as approval stamps, the applicant must resubmit the application. Please see Resubmit an Incomplete/Rejected Application for instructions.
  • Submissions must be legible, free from pixelation, overlapping text, or mirrored/reversed content.
  • Submittals must be address-specific, Master plan sets will not be accepted
  • Construction documents bearing an electronic seal by the design professional should be flattened to ensure compatibility with the reviewer's software.
  • The AB+C user account used by the applicant must match the applicant's details provided in the application. This is important because all automatic emails will be sent to the email address associated with the applicant's AB+C user account.
  • If materials include design options that don't apply to this project, follow these steps:
    • Mark all the applicable design options with a rectangle to avoid disrupting the drawing's design.
    • Cross out any design options that shouldn't be included.
    • Flatten all markings.
  • Builders are responsible for handling changes in business details such as applicant names, general contractor details, tradesmen, or alterations in the business name by submitting proper forms to Building and Trade Contractor Services (BTCS).
Supporting Documents

For faster processing of your application, please submit the supporting documents in the following order in a single vector or raster PDF file:

  1. Signed Zoning Review Sheet:
    This is the Zoning Review Form signed by the applicant and the zoning reviewer.
     
  2. Application:
    Save the signature using Adobe Acrobat or another software package and flatten the signature.
     
  3. BSPA and Plot Plan:
    These documents are not required for condominium applications.
     
  4. Green Building Form
    (if applicable.)
     
  5. S.M.A.R.T. Housing Certification
    (if applicable)

Please also keep in mind the following when preparing supporting documents:

  • Watch for overlapping papers during scanning and preparing the PDF files for submittal.
  • Supporting documents may include vector or raster images and text.
  • A Water/Wastewater Service Plan Verification (WWWSPV) form is not needed for the Volume Builder New Construction Application.
Construction Documents

Please submit the construction documents as vector PDFs in the order specified below:

  1. Plot plan and relevant sheets of the site plan. Site plans are required for condominium projects.
  2. Architectural plans including floor plans, elevations, visitability exhibits, roof plans with ventilation calculations, and any other relevant submittals.
  3. Structural plans including foundation plans and details, framing plans and details, wind-bracing plans and details, and truss-placement layout stamped by a Texas Registered Engineer when floor and roof trusses are used.

Please keep in mind the following when submitting construction documents:

  • A truss package should not be submitted with the application. However, a stamped version is needed for inspections.
  • REScheck documents should not be submitted. These are not relevant to the City of Austin.
  • While relevant to the City of Austin, the IC3 document should not be submitted since it is not required for plan review. However, it will need to be uploaded to the Building Permit during insulation inspection. 
  • More detailed information for residential construction submittal requirements can be found in the Building Criteria Manual.
Description of Submittal

When entering the details into the description box on the AB+C Portal, please write the plan name and number, elevation, left (L) or right (R) swing, and description of work.
Here are examples of well-written descriptions:

  • Alexander 9563-A-L Is a New one-story single-family residence with (3) bedrooms, (2.5) bathrooms, an attached two-car garage, and a covered entry porch and patio.
  • Alexander 9563-A-L New 2-story Duplex. Unit A to have (2) bedrooms, (1.5) bathrooms, attached 1 car garage, covered entry porch and patio. Unit B to have (3) bedrooms, (2) bathrooms, attached 2 car garage, covered entry porch and patio.

For condominium submittals follow these examples:

  • New 3-story Townhouse Condominium
    • Units A and D are to have (3) bedrooms, (2.5) bathrooms, an attached 2-car garage, a covered entry, a porch, and a patio. Units B and C are to have (2) bedrooms, (1.5) bathrooms, an attached 2-car garage, a covered entry, a porch, and a patio. Plan Type Units A and D: Academy- 2088 L/R. Plan type Units B and C: Morelia -4261 L/R FR Building Height: 27ft- 2 ½, Maximum Height: 27ft- 8 1/2. Required Parking: 2. Required FFE: 898.46- above MSL. Site Plan#: SP-2015-0000C. Expiration Date: 03-8-2019.
  • New 2-story Duplex Condominium.
    • Units A & B will have (3) bedrooms, (2.5) bathrooms, an attached 2-car garage, a covered entry porch and patio, and a balcony.
      Plan type Units A & B: Alexander 9563-A-L/R. FR Building Height: 19ft, Maximum Height: 19ft- 2 1/2. Required Parking: 2. Required FFE: 898.46- above MSL. Site Plan#: SP-2015-0000C. Expiration Date: 03-8-2019.
How to Resubmit an Incomplete/ Rejected Application 
  1. Log in to your AB+C Portal account
  2. Go to "My Permits and Cases"
  3. Go to "My Applications"
  4. Select the incomplete application
  5. Scroll down to the "Edit & Continue" option
  6. Re-submit your newly corrected PDF files as a whole set for the final record set. 

Note: To avoid duplicating a new plan review, please follow the above instructions and do not submit it as a new application.

Withdrawing an Application

Follow these steps to withdraw or cancel an application:

  1. Log in to your AB+C Portal account 
  2. Go to "My Permits and Cases"
  3. Click on "My Applications"
  4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select "Cancel/Discard".
Printing your Record Set

To print stamped record set plans, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your AB+C Portal account 
  2. Go to "Permits & Cases"
  3. Scroll to the PR (Plan Review case) to print
  4. Click on the folder for the case
  5. Click on "Print" at the bottom of the page

Note: Projects submitted electronically do not require paper plans on site.