Dallas building department

The City of Dallas Planning and Development Department runs building permits, plan review, field inspections, certificates of occupancy, platting, and zoning for property inside Dallas city limits. Since the City switched to DallasNow, every permit is submitted online. DallasNow is a cloud system on the Accela Citizen Access platform that combines permitting, planning, platting, inspections, and engineering, replacing 15 older systems including PDOX. Other Dallas County cities and unincorporated areas have their own building authorities, so check that the parcel is inside the City of Dallas before you apply.

When a permit is needed

Dallas requires a master permit before anyone erects, enlarges, alters, repairs, replaces, removes, or converts a structure or its building service equipment. The Building Inspection FAQ lists these single-family and duplex exemptions:

Project	No permit if
Utility shed	Under 200 sq. ft. with no utilities
Patio cover	Under 200 sq. ft. and outside setback areas
Detached carport	200 sq. ft. or less, treated as an accessory structure
Fence (single-family/duplex districts)	Up to 4 ft. in a front yard or 9 ft. in side and rear yards
Interior remodel	Adds no floor area and changes no exterior doors or windows
Plumbing repair	Minor, with no valve or fixture replacement

Property in a historic or conservation district needs extra approval for exterior work even when no building permit is required. The residential permits page has checklists for new construction, additions, remodels and renovations, and fences and swimming pool barriers. Supporting forms include a termite protection form, an energy compliance certificate, a green plan review affidavit, a sidewalk waiver, and a homeowner contractor exemption. Builders can also use the Rapid Single Family VIP (RSVP) program. See also do I need a permit for a fence.

Who can pull permits

Homeowners need no license for general building work on their own property. Under Texas law, plumbing and mechanical work requires a licensed contractor unless the owner is working on a homesteaded property. Electrical work requires a licensed electrician unless the homeowner shows the Chief Electrical Inspector that they are qualified. Contractors link their active City registrations to their DallasNow accounts.

Adopted codes

Dallas enforces these codes through City Code Chapters 16 and 52–62, each with Dallas amendments:

• the 2021 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Energy Conservation, and Fuel Gas Codes, effective May 12, 2023
• the 2021 International Fire Code, effective February 10, 2023
• the 2021 International Existing Building Code and 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, effective June 13, 2022
• the 2020 National Electrical Code, effective June 13, 2022
• the 2015 International Green Construction Code

The plumbing chapter also covers landscape irrigation.

Inspections

You can schedule inspections in DallasNow or through the IVR at (214) 670-5313, using the numeric codes in the City’s Inspection Code Directory. Common residential codes:

• 114: pier/beam/foundation
• 110: frame all
• 801: energy code
• 100: building final
• 302–305: electrical roughs
• 300: electrical final
• 207, 208, and 210: plumbing roughs
• 914–916: zoning inspections

Starting June 1, 2026, plumbing and mechanical rough inspections must be scheduled together for the same day on commercial, residential, and multifamily projects.

Certificates of occupancy

A new CO is required for the first use of a building or land, a change of use, a change of tenant, or a change in floor area. Single-family and duplex uses are exempt. You apply in DallasNow with a Land Use Questionnaire and the CO checklist. If the use differs from the previous one, add a site plan and floor plan, plus a parking analysis or alcohol certification checklist when applicable. Published CO fees:

• general CO: $375
• partial CO: $104
• temporary CO: $500
• one- and two-family residential temporary CO: $250
• record change (DBA) or duplicate: $30 each

Expedited review (Q-Team)

For commercial new construction, additions, and remodels on platted, properly zoned sites, the Q-Team offers a paid, expedited review built around a meeting with all reviewers. The intake fee runs $500–$1,250 based on square footage. Plan review costs $1,000 per hour, with caps between $10,000 and $50,000, and regular permit fees still apply. Meetings are held Tuesday through Thursday and must be booked at least 5 days ahead. Resubmitted revisions are reviewed within 10 business days, and only electronic plans are accepted.

Contact

• Customer Advocate Permit Center: Oak Cliff Municipal Center, Room 118, 320 E. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, TX 75203. Open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for in-person help with COs, residential plan review, water and wastewater permits, platting, and addressing.
• Call center: (214) 948-4480
• Zoning verification letters: $322, typically ready in 3–4 days