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Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition & Remodel) in Fort Worth, Texas

Covers one- and two-family detached homes, duplexes and townhouses on individually platted lots, and their accessory structures. Required for new construction and for work that changes, moves, or repairs walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, electrical, mechanical or plumbing. Not required for cosmetic remodels (floor/wall covering, cabinets, countertops, shelving) or plumbing fixture replacement. Applicant must be a registered building contractor or qualify for a homestead permit (own and occupy the property as primary residence, per a homestead exemption from the appraisal district).

Reviewed 2026-09-06 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Applicant must be a registered building contractor, or qualify for a homestead permit (owner-occupied primary residence with homestead exemption) Owner-builder
  • Complete set of construction plans
  • All permits may be applied for online via Accela Citizen Access / CFW Permit Assist

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet0 of 3 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our checklist will assemble all of them, free →

Fee schedule

Filing fee
Not published — contact the department

Review timeline

Plan reviewFort Worth’s published plan-review target
7–7 business days

How long did your Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition & Remodel) permit actually take in Fort Worth?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Stakeout Inspection (105)

  2. 2

    Foundation (115)

  3. 3

    Wall Sheathing (108)

  4. 4

    Framing Inspection (110)

  5. 5

    Building Final (100)

See the full Fort Worth inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Additions, detached garages, decks over 6 inches above grade, carports (including fabric carports), storage buildings/shipping containers, foundation repairs, and enclosing a garage all require a building permit
  • A building permit does not include trade permits — electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits must be obtained separately and inspections scheduled for each
  • Inspections can be scheduled the same day a permit is issued, online or via the IVR line (817-392-6370); requests before 6:30 a.m. are scheduled for that day

Frequently asked questions

Fort Worth requires a residential building permit (new construction, addition & remodel) for: Applicant must be a registered building contractor, or qualify for a homestead permit (owner-occupied primary residence with homestead exemption); Complete set of construction plans; All permits may be applied for online via Accela Citizen Access / CFW Permit Assist. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Fort Worth Development Services Department at 817-392-2222 before starting work.

Fort Worth's published plan-review target for a residential building permit (new construction, addition & remodel) is 7–7 business days.

You'll need: Building permit application (online, Accela Citizen Access); Complete set of plans; Nuts & Bolts of Residential Building Permits guide (PDF, English and Spanish). See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Fort Worth requires 5 inspection(s) for a residential building permit (new construction, addition & remodel), in order: Stakeout Inspection (105), Foundation (115), Wall Sheathing (108), Framing Inspection (110), Building Final (100). Schedule each through City of Fort Worth Development Services Department (817-392-2222).

Apply through City of Fort Worth Development Services Department at New City Hall, 100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Phone: 817-392-2222. Official information: https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/development-services.

Fort Worth, Texas has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25382-03-2022; 2021 International Residential Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25383-03-2022; 2021 International Mechanical Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25384-03-2022; 2021 International Plumbing Code and 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25385-03-2022; 2021 International Existing Building Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25386-03-2022; 2021 International Fire Code (ICC) - effective April 1, 2022, Ordinance No. 25388-03-2022; Fort Worth Administrative Building Code (2021 edition) - Ordinance No. 25387-03-2022; 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (ICC) - retained; NOT updated to the 2021 edition; 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ICC) - effective September 1, 2020; 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) - effective March 1, 2023 (a 2026 NEC is proposed, targeted effective September 1, 2026, per the city's Building & Energy Codes page). Local amendments apply — see the Fort Worth overview page for the full list.

No. You must obtain all needed trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) separately and schedule inspections as required for each permit type.

Sources & verification

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

Applications & forms

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 Fort Worth building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Fort Worth's permit history isn't searchable here yet

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