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Building Permit in El Paso, Texas

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

When you need this permit

  • 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

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Fee schedule

Review timeline

Plan review
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Inspection process

  1. 1

    The Building Official makes inspections as necessary during construction and either releases that portion of the work or notifies the permit holder of violations to correct (Sec. 18.02.107.1).

  2. 2

    Special inspections by ICC-certified special inspectors are required for items such as steel construction, masonry construction, pier/pile foundations, and sprayed fire-resistant materials, as specified in the currently adopted IBC (Sec. 18.02.107.14.1).

See the full El Paso inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • No permit is required for like-for-like replacement of a switch, receptacle, fuse, fan, or light fixture that does not alter mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems, or for an accessory storage structure under 200 sq. ft. (one per site, not over a utility easement).
  • Properties in a historic district or designated a historic landmark require City review for historic appropriateness before any construction, alteration, or demolition — even if no building permit is otherwise required.

Frequently asked questions

El Paso requires a building permit for: 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?').. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of El Paso Planning & Inspections Department — One Stop Shop at (915) 212-0104 before starting work.

El Paso does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of El Paso Planning & Inspections Department — One Stop Shop at (915) 212-0104 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Building Permit Application (or Spanish-language version); Homeowner & Authorization Affidavit for Building Permits, if the homeowner is pulling their own permit; Drawings, 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); Construction documents prepared, signed, and sealed by a registered design professional where required by state law or City Code (Sec. 18.02.105.7); Title 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). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

El Paso requires 2 inspection(s) for a building permit, in order: The Building Official makes inspections as necessary during construction and either releases that portion of the work or notifies the permit holder of violations to correct (Sec. 18.02.107.1)., Special inspections by ICC-certified special inspectors are required for items such as steel construction, masonry construction, pier/pile foundations, and sprayed fire-resistant materials, as specified in the currently adopted IBC (Sec. 18.02.107.14.1).. Schedule each through City of El Paso Planning & Inspections Department — One Stop Shop ((915) 212-0104).

Apply through City of El Paso Planning & Inspections Department — One Stop Shop at 811 Texas Ave., El Paso, TX 79901. Phone: (915) 212-0104, email: OSSHelp@elpasotexas.gov. Office hours: Call Center: Mon-Thu 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Fri 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Lobby: Mon-Thu 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Fri 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (effective Oct 30, 2023). Official information: https://www.elpasotexas.gov/planning-and-inspections.

El Paso, Texas has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (ICC) — El Paso Municipal Code Ch. 18.08; 2021 International Residential Code (ICC) — El Paso Municipal Code Ch. 18.10; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (ICC) — El Paso Municipal Code Ch. 18.70; 2021 International Mechanical Code (ICC) — El Paso Municipal Code Ch. 18.12; 2020 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code — El Paso Municipal Code Ch. 18.16; 2021 International Plumbing Code (ICC) — El Paso Municipal Code Ch. 18.20; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (ICC) — El Paso Municipal Code Ch. 18.24; 2021 International Existing Building Code (ICC) — El Paso Municipal Code Ch. 18.28; 2021 International Fire Code (ICC), per City's own 'Currently Adopted Codes and Amendments' summary; 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ICC) — El Paso Municipal Code Ch. 18.30; 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (ICC), per City's own 'Currently Adopted Codes and Amendments' summary; Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) under the Architectural Barriers Act (Tex. Gov't Code Ch. 469) and ICC/ANSI A117.1-2009; Locally authored 'Recommended Requirements to Code Officials for Solar Heating, Cooling and Hot Water Systems' (not an ICC-numbered edition) — El Paso Municipal Code Ch. 18.32; Outdoor Lighting Code, Landscape Code, and Irrigation Systems regulations — El Paso Municipal Code Chs. 18.18, 18.46, 18.47 (locally authored, not ICC editions). Local amendments apply — see the El Paso overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-06.

Fee schedules

Online permit portal

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.

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Other permits in El Paso

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