How long does a building permit take in Fort Worth?
Updated November 11, 2026 · Built from official fee schedules and city permit records
Fort Worth is fast for a big city. Remodels are often issued within a week and new homes within three weeks.
Wait time by permit type
| Permit | Permits measured | Fastest 25% | Median | Slowest 25% start at | Slowest 10% start at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remodel or addition | 1,127 | 1 day | 5 days | 14 days | 41 days |
| New house | 3,083 | 15 days | 20 days | 35 days | 75 days |
| Home addition | 276 | 14 days | 21 days | 44 days | 89 days |
Figures cover every building permit the city issued from November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026, measured from file date to issue date, for permits currently in Issued status. The median is the middle permit: half were faster, half slower. The slowest 25% usually had plan corrections or a full plan review.
How to get your permit faster
- Submit complete plans the first time. Each correction cycle sends the file back to the end of the reviewer's queue.
- Check whether your project qualifies for the city's simpler or over-the-counter path (listed below for each permit type).
- Answer reviewer comments the same week. Clock time while the city waits on you counts in these numbers.
More Fort Worth permit guides
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.
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 long does it take to get a building permit in Fort Worth?
The median residential permit took 18 days; new houses 20 days.
How are these wait times measured?
From the filing date to the issue date, for permits still showing Issued status in city records.