Building permits in El Paso, Texas
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in El Paso, 4 need a permit outright and 5 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 1 official source
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in El Paso
City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department (One Stop Shop)
- One Stop Shop, 811 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901
- Phone: 915-212-0104
- Email: OSSHelp@elpasotexas.gov
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in El Paso
El Paso permit records are public, and you can check a property's permit history by address or parcel number online.
What needs a permit in El Paso
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in El Paso, 4 need a permit outright and 5 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 | Not confirmed | Not specified | Not published |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Replacing a switch, receptacle, fuse, fan, light fixture, or similar equipment without altering the mechanical, electrical, or plumbing system is exempt. | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, Electrical Permits:... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | Masonry walls and fences are measured against 42 inches in height; chain link fences are measured against a separate and higher trigger of 6 feet in height. The material determines which of the two applies. | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, Building Permits:... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, Mechanical: "Base fee... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Concrete work more than 30 inches above grade, or concrete that will support a structure, requires a permit; a detached patio cover is permitted under the city's porches and canopies entry. | FY 2026 Schedule C has no line item named "patio" or "patio cover." The closest... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, Plumbing: "Base fee, ea. |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Pools and ponds over 24 inches of depth require a permit, as do above ground pools containing 5,000 gallons of water or more. | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections: Building Permits line... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | The 25 percent is a share of the residential roof covering being replaced, measured across the roof rather than as an area in square feet or a count of squares. | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, Building Permit line... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | The exemption covers accessory storage buildings or structures of less than 200 square feet of floor area, and is limited to one such accessory structure per site. | FY 2026 Schedule C has no line item named "shed" or "accessory structure." The closest... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | FY 2026 Schedule C Departmental Fee List, Planning & Inspections, prices solar across... |
Planning a project in El Paso?
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