What does a new house permit cost in Fort Worth?
Updated November 11, 2026 · Built from official fee schedules and city permit records
How Fort Worth figures the fee
Fort Worth charges new homes by new square footage (Table 1-C-3, R use groups): $937 for the first 1,400 sq ft plus $0.39 per extra square foot up to 2,700, then $1,446 plus $0.35 per square foot. Every permit also pays a $33.08 application fee and a $16.87 technology fee.
| House size | Building permit fee | With application + technology fees |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | $976.00 | $1,026 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $1,171.00 | $1,221 |
| 2,580 sq ft | $1,397.20 | $1,447 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $1,551.00 | $1,601 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $1,901.00 | $1,951 |
Using a third-party plan reviewer and inspector cuts the city permit fee to 35% of these amounts.
How long it takes
Across 3,083 new house permits Fort Worth issued in the last 12 months, the median wait was 20 days. A quarter took 15 days or less, and a quarter took 35 days or more.
The project value declared on these permits had a median of $316,200; the middle half ran from $239,000 to $430,650. Many fees are figured from this number, so it is the best guide to what a similar project will pay.
What else you will pay
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits are pulled by the trade contractors.
- A plan review deposit ($291 for plans requiring circulation) is collected at submittal.
- Water, wastewater and transportation impact fees apply to new homes and can exceed the permit fee.
More Fort Worth permit guides
- Building permit cost in Fort Worth
- How long permits take in Fort Worth
- Remodel permit cost
- Home addition permit cost
Sources
- Fees: Fort Worth Development Services fee schedule, Ordinance 26-28781 (October 2026)
- Permit data: Fort Worth Development Permits (data.fortworthtexas.gov), permits issued November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026. Processing time is measured from file date to issue date, for permits currently in Issued status.
- Wait times use permits that still show Issued status; finished permits record a later status date, so they are excluded.
This is an independent guide built from public records. It is not affiliated with the Fort Worth Development Services. 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 for a new house in Fort Worth?
About $1,447 for a 2,580 sq ft house, before trade permits and impact fees.
How long does a new house permit take in Fort Worth?
The median was 20 days from filing to issue.