Permit Requirements

Review the requirements for commercial and residential permits.

• Commercial permit checklist
  • Commercial Permit Process
• Commercial Inspections
  
  
• Residential permit checklist
  • Residential Permit Process
• Residential Inspections
  
  
• Form Survey Memo for Residential

Building Permit Procedures

General Contractor / Homeowner

Only a licensed general contractor / homeowner (homestead only) / design professional can file an application with the Building Division.

Submit the Application

Submit the application and plans to the Building Division.

Review Process

Once application is made and paid for, the review process begins and usually takes approximately 20 business days for a first response on commercial projects and 10 business days on residential projects. Incomplete plans will delay the review process. The departments / personnel that review the application and plans include:

• Planning and Community Development Department
  • Building Division
  • Planning Division (if applicable)
  • Environmental Services Division (if applicable)
• Public Works Department's Engineering Division (if applicable)
• Fire Department (if applicable)
• Utility providers (if applicable)

Issuance

When the Building Division issues the building permit, it will notify the applicant that the permit is ready to be picked up.

Do I Need a Residential Permit?

This is one of the most common questions we receive at the City of New Braunfels Building Division. A homeowner or property owner thinking about remodeling, adding a small addition, converting a garage, adding a gazebo to the backyard, replacing siding, or re-roofing needs to know that the answer is actually "yes" for all of these items. For repainting your home, general landscaping, or making minor aesthetic changes you will not need a permit.

However, folks seem to have an unreasonable fear of obtaining building permits and the entire inspection process. No fears, the permitting and inspection process really is not that difficult. Because many homeowner projects actually do require a permit, it might be helpful to look at some questions that might arise.

Why are there building codes & building permits?

Quite simply, building codes, including codes invlolving structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and other components of your home are in place to help ensure your safety.

The codes set a number of standards, all are intended to help builders, homeowners, and the communities have safe and secure buildings. Building permits are your legal permission to proceed with the project, as well as your agreement or contractor’s agreement to do the work in compliance with current codes. A house may be around for a hundred years, and there may be many owners, the Building Division wants to ensure the home is safe for many generations.

If I get a permit, can I do the work myself?

Absolutely. You can perform any construction work on a home that you own, providing it is your homestead and you are not building or remodeling the home with the specific intention of selling it in the next twelve months.

When do I need a permit?

The City of New Braunfels requires a permit any time an owner intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system.

What are the benefits?

Let’s say you want to add a few extra electrical outlets in the garage, and a mistake is made during the installation that later causes a fire. Is your insurance company going to cover the cost of a fire caused by illegal electrical work? One of the major benefits of obtaining a permit is having technical resources at your side, the certified building inspectors and plans examiners. Your City of New Braunfels certified building inspectors and plans examiners, with years of trade experience and code training, can work with you during your project. They can answer questions, provide guidance before you start your project, and save you time, money, and frustration.

When is a permit not required?

Cosmetic work: Redecorating and minor repair jobs do not require a building permit. This includes replacing cabinets, replacing floor covering, painting and decorating, repairing sheetrock (interior walls only), replacing small areas of siding (if you are not also making structural alterations), replacing plumbing fixtures (if you are not altering the plumbing system), and replacing light fixtures and appliances (if you are not altering or replacing wiring). If you are not sure, the Building Division staff will be happy to answer your questions.

Is there a fee?

Yes. The fees vary and are based on our current fee ordinance. Please call us and we can give you an approximate cost over the phone, or for commercial construction you may use the permit fee estimator. 

What will I need to get a permit?

That depends on the nature of the project. For example, you will need to submit a site plan, structural drawings (if applicable), and any other documents as required by the Building Division. You can call us, use our web site or drop by and explain your project to us and we can go from there or see our tab on permit requirements.