Building permits in Fort Worth, TX
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Fort Worth (Tarrant County) adopts its own code editions on top of Texas's statewide baselines and runs its own contractor registration, permit intake, fees, and inspections. Here's what we've verified and where to confirm the specifics.
Fort Worth's Development Services issues permits through its online permitting portal and schedules inspections through its Development IVR. The City's residential guidance requires permits for changing, moving, or repairing central heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing including water heaters, and electrical equipment including services; shingle work doesn't need a permit, but replacing roof decking or sheathing does. The City lists the 2021 International Codes, the 2015 IECC, and the 2023 NEC.
Verified local data — Fort Worth
Every fact below is sourced from a public City of Fort Worth document or portal page. Each carries the source URL and the date we last verified it. Full dataset last re-verified .
- Permit portal
- Online Permitting (Accela Citizen Access)
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · The page's "Enter Online Permitting" button links to this portal
- Submission methods
Online
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · Online through the City's permitting portal; the Walk-In Permit Assistance Team also processes some residential permits in person — https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/development-services/walk-in
- Adopted code edition
2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IFC, and IEBC; the 2015 IECC; and the 2023 NEC
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source · The 2021 codes were adopted by Ordinances 25382 through 25388-03-2022, and the energy code section says applicants may use either the 2015 IECC or the 2013 ASHRAE 90.1 standard. Confirm the 2023 NEC's effective date with the City — the date listed on the page doesn't match the ordinance's numbering. 2021 IRC local amendments — https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/files/assets/public/v/2/development-services/documents/building-code-local-amendments/2021-approved-local-amendments/irc-amendments-2021-ordinance-25383-03-2022.pdf
- Fee schedule
- Development Fees Schedule (Ordinance No. 27191-09-2024), effective October 1, 2024
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Other local notes
Changing, moving, or repairing mechanical equipment such as a central heating and air conditioning system requires a mechanical permit.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Changing, installing, moving, or repairing plumbing, including water heaters, requires a plumbing permit.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Changing, moving, or repairing electrical equipment, including electrical services, requires an electrical permit.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Replacing roof decking, lathing, sheathing, rafters, or ridge boards requires a building permit; shingle work doesn't, but the number of shingle layers is limited.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Solar panels are listed among the accessory structures that require a building permit.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
The Walk-In Permit Assistance Team offers free same-day processing for specific residential projects, including re-roofing.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Inspections are scheduled through the Development IVR at 817-392-6370, available 24 hours a day; the cutoff for same-day inspection requests is 6:30 a.m.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
State-licensed plumbing, electrical, and mechanical contractors are exempt from the City's contractor registration fee; building contractors pay an annual registration fee.
verified Sep 13, 2026 · source
Official building department
City of Fort Worth Development ServicesVerified Fort Worth specifics are shown above. For project-specific fees, timelines, and counter staff, this department is the authority.
Common jobs in Fort Worth
The general Texas guide for each job. Fort Worth's verified local data, including job-by-job permit notes, is shown above.
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