Use this procedure for commercial remodels, additions, finish-outs, and tenant improvements for projects under commercial building codes, including multi-family structures with more than three levels.
How to Apply For A Commercial Remodel, Addition or Finish Out
Create an account and/or log in to our Permit Portal (online permitting software) at https://permits.roundrocktexas.gov.
Step-by-step instructions on how to apply:
- Click here for instructions on how to apply for a commercial remodel, addition, or finish-out permit.
Be prepared to submit the following:
- Project Name and Address (for Certificate of Occupancy)
- Owner Information (for Certificate of Occupancy)
- One (1) Complete Set of Construction Plans (if the building is over 5000 square feet, the plans must have an engineer’s stamp and signature)
- 2015 ComCheck: This is a compliance document for commercial building energy codes. The report details the energy performance of building components, including envelope (e.g., insulation), lighting and HVAC systems.
- TDLR (Texas Dept of Regulation) project number if the commercial project is valued over $50,000. This is to ensure newly constructed or renovated buildings in Texas are accessible to people with disabilities, in compliance with the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS). Contact the TDLR Texas Architectural Barriers Section (TABS) at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS or call 1-877-278-0999 for registry information.
- Submit an asbestos survey if walls are to be removed from a building built before 1980. Texas Asbestos Program – Texas Human & Health Services.
- You can begin interior demolition once the permit application fee has been paid for.
Kindly Note: The City of Round Rock has a strict one-permit system in place. To avoid any delays in your project, it is essential to add the general contractor and relevant subcontractors to your application. They must accept their assignment in the project via their Permit Portal account to be included in a permit. Although their confirmation is not mandatory at the time of application submittal, it will be required before permit issuance. To register as a General Contractor or Sub-Contractor, click here.
After your application is accepted, we will calculate the permit fees based on the estimated cost of the job (valuation) and notify you via the permit portal to make the payment. You can pay through the permit portal by clicking on the My Fees tab on the main dashboard and using an E-Check, Visa, or Mastercard. Click here for instructions.
Alternatively, you can drop off a check at our office located at 301 W Bagdad Ave, Ste 100, Round Rock, TX 78664. Please make the check payable to the City of Round Rock and include the case/application number on the memo line.
The following is the permit fee schedule.
Project Valuation | Commercial Permit Fee | Commercial Fire Inspection Fee | ||
Base fee | Per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Base fee | Per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | |
Up to $2,000 | $50 | n/a | $15 | n/a |
$2,001 – $15,000 | $50 for first $2,000 | $10 | $25 for first $2,000 | $1.50 |
$15,001 – $50,000 | $180 for first $15,000 | $7 | $50 for first $15,000 | $1.25 |
$50,001 – $100,000 | $425 for first $50,000 | $5 | $100 for first $50,000 | $1.00 |
$100,001 – $500,000 | $675 for first $100,000 | $3 | $150 for first $100,000 | $0.65 |
$500,001 and up | $1875 for first $500,000 | $2 | $500 for first $500,000 | $0.35 |
The City Council approved a Roadway Impact Fee ordinance that took effect on Jan. 1, 2020. The fee is phased in over time, based on when the project’s final plat is issued. Refer to the Roadway Impact Fee page for fee calculations and offsets.
The review process for your project will take approximately 4 to 8 weeks after your application is received and accepted. The duration may vary depending on the complexity and completeness of your project. Once your application is accepted and the necessary fees are paid, it will be distributed to all relevant review staff. Please note that we do not offer an expedited review service, and no additional review fee has been added to the permit fee.
You can monitor the status of your review through the permit portal and submit any required responses or revisions.
- For instructions on how to check the status of your review(s), click here.
- For instructions on uploading revisions, click here.
- For instructions on how to add a GC and/or MEPs while the application is in review, click here.
- Project confirmation instruction for GCs and subcontractors, click here.
- Instructions for verifying whether a subcontractor has accepted an assignment for a GC or an applicant: click here.
- All comments have been addressed.
- All reviews have been completed.
- Any outstanding fees have been paid.
- General contractor and or subcontractor(s) (MEPs) have confirmed through their portal accounts.
The general contractor is responsible for printing the full-sized red-line plans and keeping them on-site at all times.
The permit becomes invalid if the authorized work or construction does not commence within six months of permit issuance.
- An inspection is required when pulling a permit with the City of Round Rock.
- Schedule inspections in our Permit Portal by clicking the My Inspections tab on the main dashboard. Click here for instructions.
- Inspections must be requested by 4 p.m. for the following business day, but availability is not guaranteed.
- Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Utility authorizations will be released as the final utility inspections are completed.
A Certificate of Occupancy will be issued within 3 to 5 business days after the building has passed a final inspection. The original CO (hard copy) must be picked up at our office at 301 W Bagdad Ave, Suite 100, Round Rock, TX 78664. A digital copy will be uploaded to the permit application under the attachments section.
Notes
Codes are available through the International Code Council (http://www.iccsafe.org/).
- City of Round Rock Code of Ordinances
- 2015 International Building Code (2015 IBC) and Appendices
- 2015 International Fire Code (2015 IFC)
- 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (2015 IECC)
- 2015 International Residential Code (2015 IRC)
- 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2015 ISPSC)
- 2015 International Mechanical Code (2015 IMC)
- 2015 International Plumbing Code (2015 IPC)
- 2023 National Electrical Code (2023 NEC)
- Texas Accessibility Standards
For sign and banner permits, refer to the Sign Permits page for application information.
The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) also must review plans for any projects involving food service (including restaurants, bars, food trucks, convenience stores, day care facilities, etc.). The food establishment permit application and food establishment plan review application forms are posted on the WCCHD website with application instructions.
Certificates of Appropriateness are Required Prior to Issuance of a Building Permit.
Properties required to undergo historic review are identified with Historic Overlay Zoning. Alterations to all structures or sites with Historic Overlay Zoning require a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to the issuance of a building permit. Historic review applies to all structures on a site, including fences and accessory structures.
Preservation staff are available to discuss projects on all historic-age properties (even those without historic overlay zoning) and can provide technical references that are available to help avoid damage. Contact the Planning and Development Services desk at 512-218-5428 to discuss alterations to a historic property and/or the Certificate of Appropriateness process.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I pay a permit fee? Click HERE
- How do I obtain information on a review, an inspection, and or comments? Click HERE
- How do I upload revisions? Click HERE
- How do I add (include) a GC and/or subcontractors to my application? Click HERE
- How can I check whether the GC and/or subcontractors have accepted their assignments? Click HERE
- How do I confirm or accept an assignment that I’ve been included on as a GC or subcontractor? Click HERE
- How do I request an inspection? Click HERE
- How do I verify if my inspection request went through? Click HERE and skip to page 3, #7
- How can I cancel an inspection? Click HERE and skip to page 4, #8
- How do I print out my issued permit and approved plans? Click HERE
- How can I obtain the information for my assigned inspector? Click HERE
- How do I register as a contractor? Click HERE
- Do I need to pull a permit if my shed is under 200 SF and 15 feet or less in height? Yes, per the City of Round Rock Code of Ordinances, a permit is required as it is considered an Accessory Structure.
- Who do I contact if my address is outside city limits, ETJ, or Williamson County, and I want to build a structure or make changes to my home? First, please call the Building Inspection Division at 512-218-5550 to verify that your address is outside the city limits, an ETJ, or Williamson County. We will guide you from there.
- Can I park on my grass? Please contact Code Enforcement at 512-341-3329.
- Do I need a permit to build or repair my fence? Please contact Code Enforcement at 512-341-3329.
