What does a building permit cost in Austin?
Updated November 11, 2026 · Built from official fee schedules and city permit records
Austin building permit fees are set by square footage, not project value. A new house pays roughly $1,500 to $2,000 in plan review plus inspection fees; small projects start around $260.
Typical costs by project
| Project | Permits | Plan review fee basis | Median wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| New house | 2,248 | $986.15 + about $0.20/sq ft over 1,000 | 53 days |
| Addition or remodel | 1,233 | From $197.23 by sq ft | 66 days |
| Pool | 1,025 | $146.15 small project review | 62 days |
| Foundation repair | 1,011 | Inspection fees only | 2 days |
Every application also pays a $112.76 processing fee. On top of plan review, Austin charges inspection permit fees when the permit is issued. For houses these start from base fees of $318.48 building, $183.69 electrical, $127.68 mechanical, $220.47 plumbing and $72.38 energy ($922.70 together), with per-square-foot amounts added for larger homes.
More Austin permit guides
- How long permits take in Austin
- New house permit cost
- Remodel and addition permit cost
- Pool permit cost
Sources
- Fees: Austin Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit Fees (effective October 1, 2026)
- Permit data: Austin Issued Construction Permits (data.austintexas.gov), permits issued November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026. Processing time is measured from application date to issue date.
This is an independent guide built from public records. It is not affiliated with the City of Austin Development Services Department. Fees change, and the city calculates your final fee when you apply; confirm the amount with the city before you budget.
Common questions
How much is a building permit in Austin?
Plan review starts at $197.23 for small additions and $986.15 for new houses, plus a $112.76 application fee and inspection fees.
How long does an Austin building permit take?
The median residential building permit took 28 days from application to issue.