City of Bellville, Texas

Permits and Inspections

Why do I need a permit?

Obtaining building permits allows legal permission to start construction and allows for the enforcement of codes which have been adopted as law by the city. The enforcement of our codes is carried out to protect public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Bellville. Obtaining permits ensures oversight and protects the investment you have in your home or business. An application should be submitted and a permit obtained prior to the start of any construction. The permit is considered obtained once the permit has been paid for and posted on site. If you have a question as to whether or not a permit is required, please call City Hall at 979-865-3136 for more information or email Denise Acock at denise@cityofbellville.com.

Building Inspector
30 S. Holland
Bellville, Texas 77418
Phone: 979-865-3136
Fax: 979-865-9485

The City of Bellville adopts the most current version of the International Building Code.

Before a building permit will be issued, all plans and documents related to the permit application must be approved and all applicable fees paid to the City of Bellville. Construction or building without a permit is subject to a fine.

Types of Permits

Building Permit: Includes new construction, remodeling, additions, re-roofing, foundation work, garages, carports, sheds, etc., plus decks, driveways, and sidewalks made of concrete. Any homeowner or contractor can pull a building permit. On all new construction, additions or remodeling projects building plans must be submitted for review and approved by the Building Inspector prior to obtaining a permit. A plan review fee is charged on all projects.
Plumbing Permit: Includes all water, sewer and gas lines. Also gas pressure tests, grease traps, sprinkler systems, swimming pools, etc. Only a licensed master plumber (or the homeowner if occupying the premises and they are doing their own work) can pull a plumbing permit. The master plumber must carry general liability insurance in an amount not less than $300,000. Irrigators must have a current irrigators license, certification of check valves and have the same insurance requirements.
Mechanical Permit: Includes HVAC (heating, venting and air conditioning), refrigeration units, boilers, etc. Contractor must have general liability insurance on file with the City to pull a permit.
Electrical Permit: Includes all electrical work. Must have a Masters License, Contractors License and Insurance. If no Contractors License, must present letter from electrician from which working under. A licensed journeyman can obtain a permit for electrical with written authorization from the Master Electrician. The homeowner, only if occupying the premises, can pull the permit if they are doing their own electrical work.

** Permit applications can be found under the “City Forms” section of our home page. **

Adopted Codes:

2020 National Electrical Code

2018 International Building Code

2018 International Residential Code

2018 International Energy Conservation Code

2018 International Existing Building Code

2012 International Plumbing Code

2018 International Fuel Gas Code

2018 International Mechanical Code

Permits:

Sec. A3.001 Building permits and inspection fees (Inspection fees not included)

Residential Building Permits and Inspection Fee Schedule

NOTE: Any work without a permit penalty fee: double permit fee

ec. A3.001 Building permits and inspection fees Residential

New Construction - Square Footage	Fee (Inspection fees not included)
0 to 500 square foot	$300.00
501 too 1,000 square foot	$450.00
1,001 to 1,500 square foot	$700.00
1,501 to 2,000 square foot	$1,000.00
2,001 to 2,500 square foot	$1,250.00
2,501 to 3,000 square foot	$1,500.00
3,001 + square foot	$2,150.00 + $300.00 per 500 square foot over 3,001 square foot

New Construction Residential Permit Fees (Inspection fees not included)

New Construction Electrical Permit $ 200.00

New Construction Plumbing Permit $200.00

New Construction Gas Pressure Permit $125.00

New Construction Irrigation system w/backflow Permit.....Residential $ 55.00

Inspections: $50.00

Re-Inspections: per re-inspection.....1^st re-inspection $75.00 all other re-inspections $100.00

Plan check fee: Plans must accompany building permit applications for all buildings valued at $1,000.00 or over. No permit becomes valid until plans are checked and approved by the building official. Plan-checking fees shall be one half (1/2) of the cost of the building permit.

New Construction Mechanical Permits

A mechanical permit is required for the installation or substantial modification of a HVAC system in any residential or commercial building. Each unit is subject to the fees for inspection.

Residential HVAC system new or replacement	$100.00 per unit
New boiler 1,000,000 BTU's or less	$75.00
Replacement commercial air handler	$30.00 per unit
Fire damper	$10.00 per unit
Fireplace residential	$25.00 per unit
Commercial HVAC system new or replacement	$175.00 per unit
Minimum permit fee (Inspection fees not included)	$ 50.00

Residential Remodel/Repairs

NOTE: Any work without a permit penalty fee: double permit fee

Remodel - Square Footage	Fee (Inspection fees not included)
0 to 1,000 square foot	$100.00
1,001 to 2,500 square foot	$200.00
2,501 + square foot	$250.00 + $3.00 per 100 Square Foot over 2,501 Square Foot

Permit Fees (Inspection fees not included)

Electrical permit $ 100.00

Plumbing Permits $100.00

Gas Pressure Test Permit $100.00

Inspections: $50.00

Re-Inspections: per re-inspection.....1^st re-inspection $75.00 all other re-inspections $100.00

Plan check fee: Plans must accompany building permit applications for all buildings valued at $1,000.00 or over. No permit becomes valid until plans are checked and approved by the building official. Plan-checking fees shall be one half (1/2) of the cost of the building permit.

Mechanical Permits

A mechanical permit is required for the installation or substantial modification of a HVAC system in any residential or commercial building. Each unit is subject to the fees for inspection. (Inspection fee not included).

Residential HVAC system new or replacement	$100.00 per unit
New boiler 1,000,000 BTU's or less	$75.00
Replacement commercial air handler	$30.00 per unit
Fire damper	$10.00 per unit
Fireplace residential	$25.00 per unit
Commercial HVAC system new or replacement	$175.00 per unit
Minimum permit fee	$ 50.00

General permits - Residential

NOTE: Any work without a permit penalty fee: double permit fee

Carport permit without concrete slab .....$100.00

Carport permit with concrete slab .....$150.00

Concrete (driveway, approach, patio) .....$75.00

Deck/patio cover/enclosure without concrete slab permit $ 100.00

Deck/patio cover/enclosure with concrete slab permit $ 150.00

Fence permit over 7 ft. ….$30.00

Relocating/Moving building, per permit ....$100.00 ($2,000 Surety Bond Required)

Non-permit inspection, per inspection .....$50.00

Inspections: $75.00

Re-inspection, per re-inspection - 1^st re-inspection $75.00; all other re-inspections $100.00

Roof permit, per permit .....$75.00

Swimming pool permit

In-ground pool permit fee - 100.00
Electrical permit - $100.00
Plumbing permit - $100.00

Temporary pole (T-Pole) .....$50.00 + Electrical Permit $ 50.00

Demolition (with utilities connected): $100.00

Demolition (without utilities connected): $50.00

Foundation Repair Permit $100.00 (must submit engineer plans)

Accessory Buildings: (are to be for storage use only, no electricity) $150.00 over 201 square feet. Maximum size 1,000 square feet.

Solar Panels (Electrical Permit not included and must submit engineer plans) Permit: $150.00

Solar Panels Electrical Permit $ 100.00

Sign permits

(Inspection fees not included)

Signs less than 30 square feet, per sign .....$50.00 (not including electrical permit)

Signs more than 30 square feet, per sign .....$75.00 (not including electrical permit)

Commercial sign, per sign .....$150.00 (not including electrical permit)

Sign Electrical Permit $100.00

New Construction – Commercial/Multi-Family Permits

Sec. A3.001 Building permits and inspection fees Commercial

NOTE: Any work without a permit penalty fee: double permit fee

(Inspection fees not included)

COMMERCIAL AND MULTI FAMILY

New Construction - Square Footage	Fee
0 to 500 Square Foot	$400.00
501 to 1,000 Square Foot	$525.00
1,001 to 1,500 Square Foot	$800.00
1,501 to 2,000 Square Foot	$1,150.00
2,001 to 2,500 Square Foot	$1,350.00
2,501 to 3,000 Square Foot	$1,700.00
3,001 + Square Foot	$3,001.00 + $300.00 per 500 Square Foot over 3,001 Square Foot

New Construction - Commercial - (Inspection fees not included)

New Construction Electrical permit $ 200.00

New Construction Plumbing Permit $200.00

New Construction Gas/Gas Pressure Permit $175.00

New Construction Irrigation system w/backflow Permit.....Commercial $110.00

Re-inspection, per re-inspection.....1^st re-inspection $75.00 all other re-inspections $100.00

Plan check fee: Plans must accompany building permit applications for all buildings valued at $1,000.00 or over. No permit becomes valid until plans are checked and approved by the building official. Plan-checking fees shall be one half (1/2) of the cost of the building permit.

New Construction Mechanical Permits

A mechanical permit is required for the installation or substantial modification of a HVAC system in any residential or commercial building. Each unit is subject to the fees for inspection.

Residential HVAC system new or replacement	$100.00 per unit
New boiler 1,000,000 BTU's or less	$75.00
Replacement commercial air handler	$30.00 per unit
Fire damper	$10.00 per unit
Fireplace residential	$25.00 per unit
Commercial HVAC system new or replacement	$175.00 per unit
Minimum permit fee	$ 100.00

Commercial Remodel/Repairs

Remodel – Square Footage	Fee
0 to 1,000 Square Foot	$250.00
1,001 to 2500 Square Foot	$275.00
2,501+ Square Foot	$300.00 + $3.00 per 100 Square Foot over 2,501 Square Foot

Permits - (Inspection fees not included)

Electrical permit $ 200.00

Plumbing Permits $200.00

Gas/Gas Pressure Test Permits $125.00

Mechanical Permits

A mechanical permit is required for the installation or substantial modification of a HVAC system in any residential or commercial building. Each unit is subject to the fees for inspection.

Residential HVAC system new or replacement	$100.00 per unit
New boiler 1,000,000 BTU's or less	$75.00
Replacement commercial air handler	$30.00 per unit
Fire damper	$10.00 per unit
Fireplace residential	$25.00 per unit
Commercial HVAC system new or replacement	$175.00 per unit
Minimum permit fee	$ 100.00

Commercial—General permits:

Backflow annual permit fee, new .....$30.00

Installation backflow device, new .....$30.00

Each additional backflow device, new .....$10.00

Relocating/Moving building, per permit .....$200.00 ($2,000 Surety Bond Required)

Demolition (with utilities connected): $100.00

Demolition (without utilities connected): $50.00

Plan check fee: Plans must accompany building permit applications for all buildings valued at $1,000.00 or over. No permit becomes valid until plans are checked and approved by the building official. Plan-checking fees shall be one half (1/2) of the cost of the building permit.

Carport permit without concrete slab: $100.00

Carport permit with concrete slab: $150.00

Concrete (driveway, approach, patio): $75.00

Deck/patio cover/enclosure without concrete slab permit: $100.00

Deck/patio cover/enclosure with concrete slab permit: $150.00

Fence permit over 7 ft.: $30.00

Roof permit, per permit: $75.00

Foundation Repair Permit: $100.00 (must submit engineer plans)

Accessory Buildings: (are to be for storage use only, no electricity) $150.00 over 201 square feet. Maximum size 1,000 square feet.

Solar Panels (Must submit engineer plans) Permit: $ 150.00

Solar Panel Electrical Permit – 100.00

Swimming pool permit

In-ground pool permit fee - 100.00
Electrical permit - $100.00
Plumbing permit - $100.00

Building Permit Application
Plumbing Permit Application
Mechanical Permit Application
Electrical Permit Application

Inspections

Permit holder must call City Hall at (979) 865-3136 to request inspections. No inspections will be scheduled for weekends or any City of Bellville holiday. All building projects which require a building permit shall be inspected for compliance with all applicable codes. Each time the inspector visits the job site, at the request of the contractor, shall be considered one inspection even if the inspector verifies compliance with multiple codes. The cost for each inspection shall be $50.00. If the project fails to meet one or more codes, the project must be reinspected until the project meets all code requirements. The fee for the first reinspection is $75.00. The fees for any subsequent reinspection shall be $100.00.

The final inspection must be passed prior to occupancy of the building.