Building permits in Corpus Christi, Texas
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Corpus Christi, 4 need a permit outright and 6 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in Corpus Christi
City of Corpus Christi Development Services Department, Building Division
- 2406 Leopard Street, Suite 100, Corpus Christi, TX 78408 (mailing address P.O. Box 9277, Corpus Christi, TX 78469)
- Phone: 361-826-3240
- Email: DSOutreach@CorpusChristiTX.gov
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi runs an online permit portal. Many local portals let you check application status, search permit records, and view inspection results without calling the office.
What needs a permit in Corpus Christi
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Corpus Christi, 4 need a permit outright and 6 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | A deck needs a permit if it is larger than 200 square feet, or more than 30 inches above the ground, or attached to a dwelling, or serving the exit door; any one of the four triggers alone requires the permit. | FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule, Residential Construction - New, Remodels, and... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | An electrical permit is needed to replace a meter loop or panel, add receptacles or outlets, add circuits or lights, add a dryer plug, rewire a house, or add solar panels; communications cabling and low voltage work fall outside what the city permits at all. | FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule, Electrical Permits: Residential $0.075 per square... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | Fences taller than 7 feet in height need a building permit; fences 7 feet or less in height are on the city's published exemption list. | The FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule (Rev. |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | A mechanical permit is needed to install a new A/C unit, a new heat furnace, duct outlets or a system, to add or move a kitchen hood vent, or to add a restroom exhaust fan; the two published exceptions are installing a portable HVAC appliance and replacing minor parts as long as the equipment does not become unsafe. | FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule, Mechanical Permits: Residential $0.075 per square... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Every attached patio cover or carport needs a permit regardless of size; a detached patio cover or carport needs one once it is larger than 200 square feet. | FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule, Residential Construction - New, Remodels, and... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | A plumbing permit is needed to install a gas or electric water heater, add water lines, connect to sewer lines, extend or alter gas pipe systems, install or replace a drain or vent, or install an irrigation system or backflow preventer; stopping and repairing leaks, clearing drain stoppages, and removing and reinstalling a plumbing fixture without modifications are excluded. | FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule, Plumbing Permits: Residential $0.075 per square foot... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Every in-ground pool needs a permit; an above-ground pool needs one once it holds more than 5,000 gallons or is more than 24 inches deep, and prefabricated pools under both figures are on the city's published exemption list. | The FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule publishes no pool line item. |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | The 100 square feet measures the area of shingles replaced. A re-roof permit is triggered by replacing shingles in excess of 100 square feet, by changing the slope of the roof, by removing and replacing roof decking, or by changing the roof material; any one trigger alone requires the permit. | FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule, Building Permit Fees, Residential: "Roofing and... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | Detached storage buildings larger than 200 square feet need a building permit; accessory structures 200 square feet or less are on the city's published exemption list. | FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule, Residential Construction - New, Remodels, and... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | No size or capacity threshold is published; adding solar panels is listed outright as work that needs a permit. | The FY 2026 Development Fee Schedule publishes no solar line item. |
Planning a project in Corpus Christi?
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
Planning several things at once? Check your whole project