Dallas building permits
Department contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Dallas, Texas.
Last verified 2026-09-06 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- Oak Cliff Municipal Center, 320 E. Jefferson Blvd., Room 118, Dallas, TX 75203
- Phone
- 214-948-4480
- pud@dallas.gov
- Office hours
- Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Website
- Official site
Codes adopted
Texas adopts the International Residential Code as it existed on May 1, 2012 as the municipal residential building code, by statute rather than through a state agency. A municipality may adopt local amendments that add, modify, or remove requirements set by that code, and may review and consider later International Code Council changes but is not obliged to. The statutory edition does not advance on a cycle.
- 2021 International Building Code (ICC), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 53, effective May 12, 2023
- 2021 International Residential Code (ICC), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 57, effective May 12, 2023
- 2021 International Existing Building Code (ICC), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 58, effective June 13, 2022
- 2021 International Plumbing Code (ICC), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 54, effective May 12, 2023
- 2021 International Mechanical Code (ICC), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 55, effective May 12, 2023
- 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 56 (the city's Electrical Inspections page states this same 2023 NEC edition is adopted 'effective June 13, 2022,' which predates the 2023 code's publication - see contradiction note)
- 2021 International Fire Code (ICC), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 16, effective February 10, 2023
- 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (ICC), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 59, effective May 12, 2023
- 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (ICC), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 60, effective May 12, 2023
- 2015 International Green Construction Code (ICC), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 61
- 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ICC), with Dallas Amendments - Dallas City Code Chapter 62, effective June 13, 2022
Permit types & fees
Residential New Construction Permit
A Residential Permit is an official approval from the City of Dallas that allows you to start construction, renovation, or major repairs on your home. It ensures that your project meets safety codes and building standards designed to protect you, your family, and your community. Applications for new single-family and duplex construction are submitted through the DallasNow online portal.
See fee scheduleResidential Remodel / Addition Permit
Covers remodeling, additions, and repair work to existing one- and two-family dwellings, including work that requires energy-code compliance for trade work on existing residences. Applications and checklists are submitted through DallasNow.
From$181Commercial New Construction Permit
A commercial building permit is an official authorization required before constructing, altering, or renovating a commercial property. It ensures that all work complies with local building codes, zoning regulations, and safety standards. Applications are submitted through DallasNow.
From$75Commercial Alteration / Addition Permit
Covers alterations, additions, and repairs to existing commercial buildings, priced on a valuation-based sliding scale distinct from the new-construction fee table.
From$132Demolition Permit
Required before demolishing a structure. Complete removal of structures and foundations requires a demolition permit (per the city's guidance for storm-damaged single-family dwellings, which applies the same general demolition-permit requirement used citywide).
From$205Electrical Permit
Trade permit for electrical work, reviewed under the 2023 National Electrical Code with Dallas Amendments (Dallas City Code Chapter 56). Registered electrical contractors may apply for standalone electrical trade permits online.
From$125valuation-basedPlumbing Permit
Trade permit for plumbing work, reviewed under the 2021 International Plumbing Code with Dallas Amendments (Dallas City Code Chapter 54). Effective June 1, 2026, plumbing rough and final inspections must be scheduled together with the corresponding mechanical inspections on the same day.
From$81Mechanical Permit
Trade permit for HVAC/mechanical work, reviewed under the 2021 International Mechanical Code with Dallas Amendments (Dallas City Code Chapter 55). Effective June 1, 2026, mechanical rough and final inspections must be scheduled together with the corresponding plumbing inspections on the same day.
From$125valuation-basedRoofing Permit
Minor repairs to roofing or roof vents do not require a permit, but replacing large areas of a roof or an entire roof requires a re-roof (roofing) permit. Roofing permits may be obtained over the counter at district offices, the Oak Cliff Municipal Center, or online.
Fee not publishedFence and Swimming Pool Barrier Permit
Permit covering fence construction and required swimming pool safety barriers, per the city's Fence and Swimming Pool Barrier Permit Checklist. Pool construction itself is also reviewed under the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with Dallas Amendments (Dallas City Code Chapter 62).
Fee not published
Dallas's permit history isn't searchable here yet
This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Dallas yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.
Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Dallas lands. Privacy.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-07)
- 462units
213 buildings · $106.1M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 5,190units
10 of 12 months reported · #4 in Texas coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-07)
- 3,655units
1,303 buildings · $646.4M valuation
7 month(s) reported to Census
- Full year 2025
- 6,993units
2,412 buildings · $1,484.9M valuation
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-07 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Texas building activity
Tips & gotchas
- All new permit applications and most trade-permit renewals go through the DallasNow online portal; permits cannot be obtained in person at a Building Inspection District Office.
- As of October 2025, the fee-payment process for a defined list of common commercial record types (new construction, alteration/addition, drive approach/sidewalk, pool/spa, solar/PV, accessory structure, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, foundation repair, roofing, and demolition) moved to an early, consolidated collection point at the end of the pre-screen phase. Residential permits were not yet included in this streamlining as of the source page's last update.
- Effective June 1, 2026, plumbing and mechanical rough inspections must be scheduled together on the same day, and the same applies to final inspections, for all commercial, residential, and multifamily projects.
- The Q-Team expedited plan review service is available for qualifying commercial projects (properly zoned/platted, first engineering review complete) for an added intake fee plus $1,000/hour review fee, capped by project size; it is not available for projects that are not yet properly zoned, platted, or approved by other departments.