Activating a Permit

Once a City of Austin building permit application has been approved, the permit must be paid for and activated. Please follow the steps below to activate your building permit or related trade permit. Only a registered general contractor or homeowner acting as a general contractor can pay for and activate a building permit.

You cannot activate a related trade permit until a building permit has been activated.

  Do you have an Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) Portal Account?

(If yes, go to step #2)

The contractor listed on the permit (contractor, trades contractor, or homeowner) must have an AB+C Portal account. If you do not have an AB+C account, please register for an AB+C Portal account here. If you need help, please call Austin 3-1-1 or refer to the AB+C Manual ^(PDF). Please make a note of the email address associated with this account. You will need it for step #3.

  Are you registered with Building and Trade Contractor Services as a contractor or homeowner?

(If yes, go to step #3)

The contractor listed on the permit (contractor, trades contractor, or homeowner) must be registered with the Building and Trade Contractor Services  (separate from step #1 above). To register, visit the Contractor Registration webpage. After registering, we will provide you with a Contractor/Homeowner PIN number. You will need it for step #3.

  Connect the AB+C account and Building and Trade Contractor Services Registration (from steps #1 and #2) to the permit

1. Gather the following information:
   • Permit or Plan Review number
   • Property Address
   • Company or Registered Contractors name or PIN number
   • AB+C ID number (or AB+C account email address associated with the preferred AB+C account).
      
2. Choose the appropriate web form or web service based on your contractor type.
    

   • Building Permit Activation for General Contractors or a Homeowner acting as a General Contractor

     If you are a general contractor or a homeowner acting as a general contractor, use our Activate a Building Permit Web Form.
     Activate a Building Permit Web Form

   • Trade Permit Activation for Trade Contractors 

     If you are a trade contractor, please self-assign through the AB+C Portal. However, use our Activate Related Trade Permit Web Form if any of the following applies:

     • Permit is for a SMART housing project 
     • Permit is for Auxiliary (AUX) solar permit
     • Previous contractor was removed from the permit
     • If you are not able to self-assign in the AB+C Portal

     Activate Related Trade Permit Web Form

   • Homeowner's Homestead (Trade) Permit Activation for Homeowners acting as a Trade Contractor

     If you are a homeowner acting as a trade contractor under the Homestead Permit requirements, use our Homeowner's (Homestead) Permit webpage.
     Homeowner's (Homestead) Permit Webpage

3. You will receive an automatic email confirming your submission, including the approximate wait time.
   Please do not resubmit a form, as this will create delays.
    

  Pay permit fees  

1. Log into the AB+C Portal account associated with the permit to pay the fees online. Or visit the Bill Payments and Cashier Services webpage for other payment options.
    
2. Click on “My Permits/Cases” to view and pay the invoice for the permit.
    
3. After the permit fees are paid, the permit status should change to “Active” automatically.
    
   • If the permit status does not change to "Active," go to the Building and Trade Contractor Services webpage and click the chat bubble to chat with an agent. Inform them that the permit was not activated. You will need to provide them with the information from step #3. Chat hours and availability can be found on the About Us webpage.

Registered Trade Contractors
You may now self-assign yourself to the associated trade permit. For more information, see Page 61 in the AB+C Manual ^(PDF).​

Driveway Sidewalk (DS) Permits
If a Driveway Sidewalk (DS) permit was created upon approval of the permit application, the DS permit activation request must be submitted to Right-of-Way Management.

  (If you are a General Contractor) Print the Building Permit

Log into the AB+C Portal account associated with the building permit. Follow the steps on Page 49 of the AB+C Manual ^(PDF) to learn how to print a permit through the AB+C Portal. You can also search the manual for the term "printing" to find the steps.

  Post the permit

The permit must be displayed on the property's entrance side, visible from the public right of way (i.e., the street). 

Important Tips

• Permits will expire 180 days after activation if the City has not performed an on-site inspection (Pass or Fail). To extend the permit before expiration, please see “Modifying an existing/expired permit” within step 4 above.
   
• Reactivate, Withdraw or Extend a Permit
  Reactivating, withdrawing, or extending a permit can be done online with the AB+C Portal by the permit holder (view the AB+C Manual ^(PDF) page 44). Or, the property owner can submit a request on the Modify a Permit webpage. 
   
• Scope of work changes
  Changes in the scope of work that are different or not specified in the approved permit may require a revised application with the appropriate staff and other fees may be required, resulting in project delays.

Congratulations

You have now activated and posted your permit. Before starting construction, visit the Building Inspections webpage to learn how to:

• Download and print the record set/plan set
• Schedule the first inspection listed on your permit when ready