Building Permits in El Paso

El Paso requires a building permit for most construction, alteration, and repair work that affects structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Permits are issued by the City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department, which also administers plan review, zoning compliance, and field inspections.

Texas has no statewide residential building code. El Paso adopts and enforces its own codes locally — currently the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), and related I-Codes with local amendments. The adopted codes list is published on the City's Planning & Inspections forms page.

When You Need a Permit

El Paso requires a permit for any work that involves the construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, or change of occupancy of a building or structure. This generally includes:

• New construction and additions, including accessory structures and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
• Structural alterations, load-bearing wall changes, and foundation work
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC) changes
• Roofing replacement and alterations to exterior wall openings
• Swimming pools, spas, and retaining walls above a height threshold
• Demolition of any habitable structure
• Changes of occupancy or use

Minor cosmetic work — painting, floor coverings, and cabinet replacement without plumbing or electrical changes — is typically exempt. The City publishes a "When Do I Need a Permit" guide at elpasotexas.gov/planning-and-inspections. When in doubt, contact the One-Stop Shop before starting work.

Citizen Access Portal — Accela

The City of El Paso uses the Accela Citizen Access Portal (aca-prod.accela.com/elpaso) as its primary online permitting system. The portal is available 24/7 and allows you to:

• Submit permit applications for building, planning, fire, and other license types
• Upload plans for electronic plan review
• Pay fees and track application status
• View inspection results and schedule inspections

For in-person service, walk-ins and drop-off are handled at the One-Stop Shop:

• Address: 811 Texas Ave, El Paso, TX 79901
• Phone: (915) 212-0104
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

A virtual queue is available via QLess (kiosk.na1.qless.com) to reduce wait times for in-person visits.

Permit Costs

El Paso building permit fees are based on project valuation and project type, with separate charges for plan review and inspections. The City publishes an official Schedule C Departmental Fee List on its Planning & Inspections website.

As of September 1, 2025, the following submittal deposits apply (credited toward the final permit fee):

• Residential / Tenant Improvement / Commercial Alteration: $200 submittal deposit
• New Commercial / Shell: $400 submittal deposit
• Expedited Plan Review — Residential/TI/Commercial Alteration: $200 additional
• Expedited Plan Review — New Commercial/Shell: $400 additional

Do not rely on third-party fee estimates. Always check the current Schedule C fee list published at elpasotexas.gov/planning-and-inspections for exact amounts.

Typical Timeline

Plan review timelines vary with project type, complexity, and current workload. The Planning & Inspections Department handles commercial and residential plan reviews, zoning verification, and floodplain reviews.

Zoning verification occurs before permit issuance. Projects requiring a detailed site development plan review add approximately ten weeks to the process before a building permit can be issued.

The Process

1. Pre-submittal: Confirm zoning district, overlay requirements, and flood zone status for your parcel using the City's GIS maps
2. Check codes: Review the currently adopted El Paso building codes and local amendments
3. Prepare plans: Drawings stamped by a licensed Texas architect or engineer are required for most commercial projects and complex residential work
4. Submit: Apply through the Accela Citizen Access Portal or in person at the One-Stop Shop; pay the submittal deposit
5. Plan review: The City reviews plans for compliance with building, zoning, floodplain, fire, and civil requirements
6. Corrections: Respond to review comments and resubmit until all disciplines approve
7. Permit issuance: Pay remaining fees and receive the approved permit
8. Inspections: Schedule required inspections at each construction phase through the portal or by phone
9. Final: Pass final inspection and, where applicable, receive a Certificate of Occupancy

Inspections

Typical inspection stages for a residential project include:

• Foundation / footings
• Underground plumbing and electrical
• Framing
• Rough plumbing, electrical, and mechanical
• Insulation
• Drywall
• Final building and trade inspections

Schedule inspections through the Accela Citizen Access Portal or by calling the One-Stop Shop at (915) 212-0104.

Floodplain Considerations

El Paso borders the Rio Grande and portions of the city — particularly areas near the river and lower-elevation drainage basins — fall within FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Properties in flood zones may require:

• Elevation certificates for new construction or substantial improvements
• Floodplain development permits in addition to standard building permits
• Compliance with FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements

Check flood zone status for your parcel using the City of El Paso's Flood Zones map (linked in sources) or the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov). The Planning & Inspections Department administers floodplain management for the City.

Common Reasons for Denial or Corrections

• Plans don't meet the 2021 El Paso adopted building codes or local amendments
• Missing structural calculations, energy compliance documentation, or engineer/architect stamps
• Zoning conflicts (setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, permitted uses)
• Flood zone or floodplain development permit requirements not addressed
• Missing civil or site review items (drainage, right-of-way, utility clearances)
• Incomplete submittal — missing documents or plan pages in the Accela portal
• Subdivision approval required prior to permit issuance (per El Paso Municipal Code Section 19.01.10)

Official Sources

Always verify current requirements with the City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department and the Accela Citizen Access Portal before submitting plans or starting construction. See the sources listed in the frontmatter for direct links to the department, portal, adopted codes, and flood zone mapping.

Disclaimer: This guide summarizes publicly available information from official City of El Paso sources and is provided for general orientation only. It does not constitute legal or engineering advice. Building code and permitting requirements change — always confirm current rules with the City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department before submitting plans or starting construction.