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Demolition Permit in El Paso, Texas

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

When you need this permit

  • 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

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Fee schedule

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Demolition Permit permit actually take in El Paso?

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Inspection process

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

    Tips

    • A permit expires if work is not commenced within 3 months of issuance, is suspended/abandoned for 3 months, or if the permittee fails to call for inspection for 3 months.

    Frequently asked questions

    El Paso requires a demolition permit for: 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.. 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: Standard demolition: a demolition plan.; Complete/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).; Downtown 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.. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    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.

    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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