Building permit needed? (Austin, Spring: house, purchase, construction)

[ldr3]

I am trying to reside 2 sides of my house.
In Austin, Tx will I need a permit?
Where do I get it if I do need one?

[verybadgnome]

This is from the city of Austin's One-Stop Shop:

City of Austin - Building Permit

[DCDC1974]

I used to work for the city issuing residential building permits but now expedite permits for contractors, home owners, etc. Only replacing siding does not require a permit, but structural changes will require a permit.
Hope this helps.
David

[thesonofgray]

Originally Posted by DCDC1974

I used to work for the city issuing residential building permits but now expedite permits for contractors, home owners, etc. Only replacing siding does not require a permit, but structural changes will require a permit.
Hope this helps.
David

Have any experience permitting an airport through COA? ~40 acres of impervious cover just for the terminal area. They'll love that!

Just kidding. I think we can handle it, but hopefully it won't be too painful.

[anitalopez]

I am rebuilding my garage, and it was brought to my attention that I might need a permit? It's almost done, what am I looking at in penalty fines for not having a permit? How do I know what permits I need?

[anitalopez]

I am rebuilding my garage, and it was brought to my attention that I might need a permit? It's almost done, what am I looking at in penalty fines for not having a permit?

[mjenkins]

Originally Posted by DCDC1974

I used to work for the city issuing residential building permits but now expedite permits for contractors, home owners, etc. Only replacing siding does not require a permit, but structural changes will require a permit.
Hope this helps.
David

do you know if you have to have a permit to fix a driveway????

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by mjenkins

do you know if you have to have a permit to fix a driveway????

It depends on what you mean by "fix". If you are simply patching a hole in it, I doubt you need a permit. If you are expanding it, making it larger, you will need a permit to add any impervious cover (paving).

The City web page "Requirements for Residential Building Permits" says:

Residential Building Permits

Most residential construction requires a building permit. Some residential construction may also require the purchase of additional permits for installation of electric wiring, plumbing pipes or new fixtures, heating or air conditioning systems.

As a general rule, permits are required when you:

• erect
• construct
• alter
• repair
• improve, or
• convert any residence within the City of Austin City limits. Call the Addressing Department at 974-2797 to verify city limit status.

The word "repair" would seem to include routine maintenance like painting, reroofing, new siding, replacing rotting wood. But according to DCDC1974 in his post above, apparently some of these things are excluded. That is a good thing in my opinion as I don't think anyone should have to get a permit in order to maintain their house.

I guess the best way to find out is to call them and ask.

[B Alexander]

To the Gentlemen who used to work for the city of Austin Permits. I have a client that lives in a 100 year old area on ave.D plus it is in a flood plain. The want to add on 500 sq ft to there home by going up and and creating a covered porch on the back of the home with the second floor ceiling. So they will not be adding a foundation as it will be built on post and beams 8-9 ft in the air. So my question is can they talk to someone about getting approval without spending any money to get a NO answer. If they cannot get permits they are going to put there house back on the market and purchase something that has the size they need. Also the improvements will not exceed the 50% value.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by B Alexander

To the Gentlemen who used to work for the city of Austin Permits. I have a client that lives in a 100 year old area on ave.D plus it is in a flood plain. The want to add on 500 sq ft to there home by going up and and creating a covered porch on the back of the home with the second floor ceiling. So they will not be adding a foundation as it will be built on post and beams 8-9 ft in the air. So my question is can they talk to someone about getting approval without spending any money to get a NO answer. If they cannot get permits they are going to put there house back on the market and purchase something that has the size they need. Also the improvements will not exceed the 50% value.

I'm not that guy, but yes you can go in and talk to the permit people about what you want to do and get a good idea regarding if it will be allowed or not and what will be required, without spending any money. You can look at the residential permit application here and see what it requires. City of Austin - Building Permit

The office is at 505 Barton Springs Road. Lines can get pretty long in the waiting room, go early and plan on waiting. Last time I went down there they stopped doing any residential reviews at noon each day.

You can also email questions here. City of Austin - Send an email to Residential Building