You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-06.
El Paso building permits
El Paso, Texas — as published 2026-09-06.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Building Permit
A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure within the City of El Paso's jurisdiction. A homeowner may be issued a permit to perform such work on property they own, upon proof of ownership.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Application filed with the Building Official on the City's approved form, with a general description of the proposed work and location, signed by the owner or authorized agent (Sec. 18.02.105.6).
- For all new construction, a master permit must be obtained before any separate subcontractor permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, irrigation) can be issued (Sec. 18.02.105.3).
- Property must already be zoned for the proposed use, and the zoning must be verified, before a building permit can be issued (per City FAQ).
- If the property is not platted, no permit will be issued unless an exception under Sec. 19.01.10.C.2 applies (per City FAQ).
- Work by a contractor (other than irrigation) requires the contractor to be registered with the City (per 'When Do I Need a Permit?').
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (or Spanish-language version)
- RequiredHomeowner & Authorization Affidavit for Building Permits, if the homeowner is pulling their own permit
- RequiredDrawings, specifications, engineering calculations, diagrams, and soil investigation reports as required, submitted in digital form compatible with the City's system (Sec. 18.02.105.7)
- RequiredConstruction documents prepared, signed, and sealed by a registered design professional where required by state law or City Code (Sec. 18.02.105.7)
- RequiredTitle sheet identifying owner(s), design professional(s), and contractor(s), plus code-review data (building size, construction type, occupancy, height, sprinklers, deferred items) (Sec. 18.02.105.8)
Fee schedule
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Electrical Permit
A separate subcontractor permit is required for electrical work under the City's technical codes; electrical contracting must be performed under a licensed master electrician or a registered employer of one.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Separate subcontractor permits are required for electrical work (Sec. 18.02.105.4); for new construction, the master (building) permit must be obtained first (Sec. 18.02.105.3).
- No person or entity may engage in electrical contracting without holding a master electrician's license or being the registered employer of a full-time master electrician; work must be performed under a master electrician's control, supervision, direction, and responsibility (Sec. 18.02.104.6).
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application indicating electrical scope of work
- RequiredContractor Registration Application / Contractor Authorization Form (for the licensed electrical contractor)
Fee schedule
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Plumbing Permit
A separate subcontractor permit is required for plumbing work under the City's technical codes; plumbing contracting must be performed under a licensed master plumber or a registered employer of one.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Separate subcontractor permits are required for plumbing work (Sec. 18.02.105.4).
- No person or entity may engage in plumbing contracting without holding a master plumbing license or being the registered employer of a full-time master plumber; plumbing and gas installations must be performed under a master plumber's (or certified residential water-treatment operator's) control (Sec. 18.02.104.6).
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application indicating plumbing scope of work
- RequiredContractor Registration Application (for the licensed plumbing contractor)
Fee schedule
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Mechanical Permit
A separate subcontractor permit is required for mechanical (HVAC) work under the City's technical codes; mechanical contracting must be performed by a Texas-licensed contractor.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Separate subcontractor permits are required for mechanical work (Sec. 18.02.105.4).
- No person, firm, or corporation may install, maintain, or repair air conditioning, cooling, refrigeration, or heating equipment without the license required by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (Sec. 18.02.104.6).
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application indicating mechanical scope of work
- RequiredContractor Registration Application (for the licensed mechanical contractor)
Fee schedule
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Demolition Permit
A demolition permit is required before any person proceeds with the demolition or partial demolition of a building, classified by the City into three levels based on the gross floor area being demolished, with fees and requirements that scale with level.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Level I: demolition/partial demolition of a single-family, duplex, triplex, quadruplex, or commercial building under 5,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area demolished.
- Level II: commercial building demolition greater than 5,000 sq. ft. but less than 10,000 sq. ft. — fee is 200% of the established permit fee.
- Level III: commercial building demolition greater than 10,000 sq. ft. — fee is 300% of the established permit fee.
- Permit is valid for a consecutive 90-day period; one 90-day extension may be requested in writing before expiration at no fee; a completion permit for an expired permit may be obtained within 6 months at half the fee for a new permit.
- If the property is in a historic district or is a landmark, Historic Landmark Commission approval for demolition is required before the permit is issued (exceptions apply for Building & Standards Commission orders or fire marshal/building official imminent-hazard declarations).
- Emergency demolition requires a fire marshal's fire assessment, a structural engineer's imminent-hazard assessment approved by the building official, a court order, or a Building Official determination under IBC Sec. 116.1 that the structure is unsafe.
Required documents
- RequiredStandard demolition: a demolition plan.
- RequiredComplete/interior demolition: scaled survey/site plan labeling demolition limits; scaled floor plan labeling existing structure areas; description of proposed demolition/removal/replacement of materials; hazardous material/asbestos remediation report; proof of utility disconnections; proof of ownership (title/warranty deed or notarized owner authorization letter).
- RequiredDowntown Plan Area demolitions: as-built drawings or photo-documentation; proof of notice sent to adjacent property owners/businesses (certified letters for buildings 3 stories or less; all owners/businesses within 300 ft for commercial/industrial or residential structures 4+ stories); a sealed structural engineer's report if the building shares a common wall with another structure.
Fee schedule
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Roofing Permit
A permit is required for reroofing or roof-recovering work; only a final inspection is required once the work is complete.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required to reroof/re-cover a roof, as part of the general requirement that a permit is needed to repair or alter a building or structure.
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application indicating roofing scope of work
Fee schedule
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Fence Permit
A permit is required to construct a fence. For one- or two-family dwellings, fences may be permitted under the same permit as the principal building or structure, provided the fence is on the same site/lot and under the same ownership.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- For one- or two-family dwellings, a fence may be included under the same permit as the principal building/structure if on the same site or lot and under the same ownership (Sec. 18.02.105.5 exception).
- IBC 2021 Sec. 312.2 (Fences) — locally added text governs fence construction under the adopted Building Code (Ch. 18.08).
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application indicating fence scope of work
Fee schedule
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Swimming Pool / Spa Permit
A building permit is required for pools and ponds over 24 inches of depth, or above-ground pools containing 5,000 gallons of water or more, under the City's adopted 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for pools/ponds if over 24 in. of depth, or above-ground containing 5,000 gal. of water or more (per 'When Do I Need a Permit?').
- Residential pools and spas must be provided with a 3-ft-wide, slip-resistant deck around the water's edge (ISPSC 2021 Sec. 310.6, locally amended).
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application indicating pool/spa scope of work
Fee schedule
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Solar Permit
Solar installations (solar panels, solar shingles, and solar heating systems) require building, electrical, and/or plumbing permits, and are also subject to the City's Solar Ready provisions under the Energy Conservation Code and its own locally authored solar heating/cooling standard.
Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source
Requirements
- Solar heating, cooling, and hot water systems must meet the City's locally adopted 'Recommended Requirements to Code Officials for Solar Heating, Cooling and Hot Water Systems' (Ch. 18.32).
- New construction is subject to Solar Ready provisions under the adopted 2021 IECC: Appendix CB (Solar Ready Zone, commercial) and Appendix RB (Solar Ready Provisions for detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses) (Ch. 18.70).
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application indicating solar scope of work
Fee schedule
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Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-06.
Fee schedules
Applications & forms
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Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the El Paso building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.