1. How & When to Get Permits for Work in Your Home
Presented by: The City of Corpus Christi Development Services

2. Residential Permits Demolition Reroof Fence Swimming pool
Foundation Repair
Exterior Window Replacement
Exterior Doors
Additions, Remodels and Renovations
Shed
Attached/Detached Garage
Deck
Dock/Boatlift
Carport or patio cover, Attached or Detached
Irrigation
Solar Panels
Water Heaters
HVAC Change out
Garage Doors
Siding
Driveways & Sidewalks
(in City Right of Way)

3. Site Plan Requirements
An overview of your property that includes:
Existing structures
New structures
Setbacks
A survey may suffice if available

4. Remodel/Renovation Permits
Interior/exterior remodeling
Non-structural renovations
Inspections may be required for:
Frame, Insulation
Final
Interior Demolition
for reuse/remodeling interior space:
Wall/ceiling removal
Cost of job
Detailed scope of work

5. When DO I Need a Permit? A permit is required if you are…
Removing or replacing siding
Replacing windows and doors
Replacing subfloor/foundation repair
Installing or replacing insulation
Framing or re-framing of walls
Demolishing a bathroom or kitchen
Removing some or all interior walls
Removing some or all sheetrock or insulation

6. When DON’T I Need a Permit?
Exemptions
Broken glass replacement
Existing door/hinge replacement
Paint/wallpaper & sheetrock repair (less than 32 sq. Feet.)
Carpet, tile, wood, laminate flooring
Cabinets

7. Room Additions Attached or Detached & Increasing SF:
Detached addition limited to 50% of the primary structure sq. footage or 500 sq. ft.
Documentation needed:
Permit Application
Required Documents (see checklist)

8. When DO I Need a Permit? A permit is required if you are…
Adding to your kitchen or living room
Enclosing an open patio, garage or carport.
Expanding to the rear, side, or front of existing home
Building a new attached bedroom

9. Removing a Structure? Full or partial demolition Documentation needed:
Reviews required:
Zoning and Building
Documentation needed:
Completed Demo/House Move Utility Disconnect Form.

10. When DO I Need a Permit? A permit is required if you are…
Demolishing attached partial/sections of primary structures
Removing additional rooms or patio covers
Full demolition of homes
Demolishing accessory structures
City ordered demolitions

11. Re-roofing? Replacing Documentation needed if:
When roof coverings are installed or replaced
Documentation needed if:
Changing material to concrete or clay t ile
Engineer’s Agreement to inspect:
WPI 1-3

12. When DO I Need a Permit? A permit is required if you are…
Replacing shingles (except if less than 100 Sq. Feet)
Changing the slope of roof
Removing and replacing roof decking
Changing the roof material

13. What About Your Foundation?
New or replacing
Slab on grade
Pier and beam
Documentation needed:
Design letter from Engineer at time of processing.
Design documents or drawings from engineer.

14. When DO I Need a Permit? A permit is required if you are…
Repairing/replacing piers
Repairing/replacing footings
New/replacing wood sill and beam

15. Planning a Pool ? In-ground requires a permit Required Application
Electrical
Plumbing
Above ground require a permit if more than:
5,000 gallons
24 inches deep
Documentation needed:
Site plan
POA/HOA Approval if applicable

16. When DO I Need a Permit? A permit is required if you are…
Enlarging an existing swimming pool
Building an in-ground pool
Adding an in-ground hot tub or spa
Installing an above ground pool exceeding 5000 gallons or 24 inches in height

17. When DON’T I Need a Permit?
Exemptions
Installing a prefabricated less than:
24 in. deep
5000 gallons 1

18. Accessory Permit
Sheds, garages, decks, docks, boatlifts, carports, patio covers or solar panels
1 story
Inspections may apply for:
Layout/Setback
Frames
Foundation (engineer report)
Insulation
Final

19. When DO I Need a Permit? A permit is required if you are…
Installing a pre-manufactured cover or building a new one
Building an attached front porch or rear patio cover
Building a cover detached from the primary residence over 200 SF
All garages require a permit
Expanding existing 1-car to a 2 car garage
Relocating garage
Replacing garage door

20. What About Your Fence? New, greater than 7 Ft. in height
Documentation needed:
Site plan
Fence height
Fence over 7 Ft. in height will require a design by a Texas registered engineer.

21. When DON’T I Need a Permit?
Exemptions
Playground equipment
Fences less than 7 ft. high
Accessory structures 200 Sq. Feet or less.

22. Wanting a shed? Storage and detached Documentation needed:
Need a permit if larger than 200 Sq. FT
Documentation needed:
Permit Application
Required Documents (see checklist)
Inspections needed:
Layout/Setback
Foundation (Engineer Report)
Frame
Final

23. What About a Garage? Attached or detached
If detached, must be less than 50% of the primary structure.
Documentation needed:
Permit Applications
Required Documents (see checklist)

24. Patio Covers and Carports
Attached structures
Detached larger than 200 sq. ft
Documentation needed:
Permit application
Required documents (see checklist)
Inspections:
Layout/Setback
Foundation, Engineer Letter
Frame
Final

25. Building a Deck? Need a permit when: Documentation needed:
Larger than 200 SF
More than 30 in. above the ground
Documentation needed:
Permit application
Required documents (see checklist)
Construction details
Anchorage, beam sizing, footing details, decking material types, stair design, and guardrail details

26. Docks and Boatlifts Need a permit when: Documentation needed: ALWAYS
Permit application
Engineered stamped documents
Site Plan
May require Texas General Land Office Authorization
Electrical Application if applicable

27. Trade Permits
For a Mechanical, Electrical or Plumbing permit you may either contract with a Texas licensed contractor or obtain homeowner permits.*
To check if a contractor is registered with the City, please call
*Homeowners performing their own mechanical, electrical or plumbing work on their homestead may apply for a trade permit.
Exception: New or alternations to natural gas service systems must be permitted by and installed by a state licensed plumber.

28. Mechanical Permits Needed if… NOT needed when…
Installing duct outlets or system
Installing a new A/C unit
Installing a new heat furnace
Adding or moving a hood vent in kitchen
Adding exhaust fan in restroom
NOT needed when…
Installation of a portable HVAC appliance
Replacement of a minor parts
as long as the equipment does not become unsafe

29. Mechanical Permits Heating & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Inspections:
Rough-in
Final

30. Electrical Permits Needed if… NOT needed when…
Replacing meter loop or panel
Adding receptacles or outlets
Adding new circuits
Adding new lights
Adding a new Dryer Plug
Rewiring House
Adding Solar panels
NOT needed when…
Cable, telephone, communications cables operating at less than 50 volts

31. Electrical Permits Needed for ALL electrical work Inspections;
Rough-in
Final
Other inspection may apply depending on scope of work

32. Plumbing Permits Needed if… Not needed when…
Installing a gas or electric water heater
Adding water lines
Connecting to sewer lines
Extending gas piping systems
Installing or replacing a drain or vent
Installing irrigation system or backflow preventer
Not needed when…
Stopping and repairing leaks in drain or water pipes
Clearing drain stoppages
Removing and reinstalling a plumbing fixture (no modifications)

33. Plumbing Permits Homeowners can apply for one if: Homestead exemption
Inspections:
Rough-in
Top out
Final
Other inspections may apply depending on scope of work.

34. Certificate of
Completion/
Occupancy