Express Permits

Residential Express Building Permits (Minor Repairs) are for specific, small projects for residential properties (single-family, duplex, or two-family houses and/or accessory buildings on one lot). The turnaround time to issue most Express Permits is one business day. The timeframe may differ if the property is within a floodplain or historic district. Please visit the Work Exempt from Permits webpage to learn about work that does not require a permit.

What you will find on this page: 

• What Projects Qualify?
• Helpful Tips Before Applying
• How to Apply
• Appointments

What Projects Qualify?

Your project must stay within the qualifications outlined in this section. If the scope of work exceeds the qualifications of an Express Permit, a new residential building permit application and associated fees will be required to account for the project changes. 

Qualified Express Permit Projects

• Bathroom - remodel (tub/shower conversions) & kitchen remodel
  • Only tub/shower/sink surround drywall can be removed
  • Walls cannot be relocated or removed
  • Plumbing fixtures cannot be relocated or added
  • A trade permit may be required depending on the work being performed. Please indicate this on your application.
     
• Brick - adding/removing
   
• Drywall - repair only
  • Repair in excess of 128 sq. ft.
  • Smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide alarms must meet code requirements.
     
• Foundation - repairing without increasing impervious cover in excess of 128 sq. ft. 
  • A plumbing permit may be required depending on the work being performed. Please indicate this on your application.
     
• Insulation - adding/removing
   
• Interior non-structural exploratory
  • Remove drywall/insulation only for purposes of structural observation or evaluation.
  • Smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide alarms must meet code requirements.
     
• Roof - repairs to the extent of replacing decking boards in excess of 128 sq. ft.
   
• Siding - adding/removing in excess of 128 sq. ft.
   
• Windows - replacing size for size
   
• Fire and Vehicle Damage Repair
  
  Requirements:
   
  1. Maintain existing floor plan
     No changes in the floor plan are allowed. If the floor plan changes, the appropriate application should be submitted for a full review.
      
  2. Submit a Fire Incident Report from insurance, fire, or police department
      
  3. Submit photos of the damaged structure
      
  4. Submit Structural Verification Report ^(PDF)  
     (stamped and dated by a Texas-registered engineer)
     
     Engineered Drawings can be submitted in place of the Structural Verification Report. Drawings must be stamped, signed, and dated by a Texas-registered engineer.

Helpful Tips Before Applying

1 – Stay within the Express Permit Qualifications

• The scope of work listed in the What Projects Qualify? section can be submitted as a Residential Express (Minor Repairs) Building Permit. This issued building permit is limited only to the work within this section. Otherwise, a different residential building permit application is required.

2 – Complete the "Trade Permits Required" section on your application

• If Plumbing, Electrical, or Mechanical Trade work is proposed and needed for the scope of work, please indicate this in the “Trade Permits Required” on your application. This will allow the appropriate trade permit to be issued at the same time as your express building permit.

3 – Include all information on the Application

• Provide the general contractor's AB+C Portal account email on the application so the building permit will automatically activate once the plan review is approved. See steps #1 and #2 in the How to Apply section to learn how to get this information. 

4 – Modifying Your Express Permit

• If you need to add a trade permit or additional qualifying express permit work AFTER your building permit is approved and issued, please go to the Residential Plan Review webpage to access the Modify a Residential Application Web Form. Select MODIFY, and select REVISIONS to revise your building permit accordingly. Additional fees may be required.

5 – If your work exceeds Express Permit Qualifications

• If your work exceeds the qualifications of an Express Permit, a new residential building permit application and associated fees will be required to account for the project changes. This could result in project delays. The previously paid fees for the express permit will not be reimbursed. Visit the Residential Plan Review webpage for a list of applications for projects requiring additional review.

How to Apply

All applications are required to be submitted online using the appropriate web forms. Follow these steps to submit the Express Building Permit Application. 

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

(If yes, go to step #2)

The contractor listed on the permit (general contractor, trades contractor, or homeowner) must have an AB+C Portal account to pay fees, manage the permit, and schedule inspections. If you do not have an AB+C account, please register for an AB+C Portal account. For additional assistance, please see the AB+C Manual ^(PDF). Please make a note of the email address used for this new account. You will need this for step #3.

 

  Is the designated General Contractor registered?

(If yes, go to step #3)

A registered General Contractor must be assigned and linked to the building permit (the homeowner can act as the general contractor after registration). This is separate from step #1. To register, visit the New General Contractor Registration section of the Contractor Registration & Licenses webpage. After registering, we will provide you with a General Contractor PIN number. You will need this for step #3.

Please note that the general contractor registration is separate from registering as a trade contractor for plumbing, electrical, or mechanical trade work. If you are a homeowner who wants to perform the trade work, visit the Homeowner's Permit webpage to learn more. 

 

  Submit the Application Using the Web Form

Complete and upload the required documents and related information and submit your application using the Residential Express Building Permit web form. Please indicate on your application if you are conducting plumbing, electrical, or mechanical trade work so that a trade permit can be issued along with your building permit.

Residential Express Bldg Permit Web Form

PRO TIP:  Provide the general contractor's AB+C Portal account email and the designated Contractor PIN number (from steps #1 and #2) with your application so your permit will automatically activate in step #5.

Once you submit the registration, you will receive an automatic email confirming your submission, including the approximate wait time. The turnaround time to issue most Express Building Permits is one business day. The timeframe may differ if the property is within a floodplain or historic district.

Please do not resubmit a form, as this will create delays.

 

  Intake Processing

The Residential Intake team will then review your application for completeness. They will email you when your invoice is ready for payment on the AB+C Portal.

 

  Pay Invoice

Please pay the invoice online on the AB+C Portal. If all the steps above are completed correctly, your permit will activate automatically upon payment. Otherwise, please contact Building and Trade Contractor Services for assistance.

 

  Print and Post your Permit  

Visit Activating a Permit to learn how to print and post your permit (beginning with step #5) and the next steps are for completing your required inspections.

 

Appointments

Express Permit Application Questions

Ask Residential Intake staff questions regarding submitting an EXPRESS residential building permit application and submission requirements. Appointments are not for submitting an application. Visit How to Apply to submit your application online. Visit the Work Exempt from Permits webpage for information on work that is exempt.