General Information

Q: Where is Building Inspection located and what are the hours of operation?
A: City Hall, 1945 E. Jackson Road, Carrollton, TX 75006; 1st Floor, SW corner of lobby right of elevator; Monday through Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Q: How can I obtain a copy of documents the City may have on file?
A: For copies of construction documents, permits, inspection reports, or Certificates of Occupancy, make an Open Records request. For copies of Engineering As-Builts (for improvements in the ROW or within easements), contact Engineering.

Permits

Q: How do I apply for a permit?
A: Permit applications are made online through the CityServe Portal.

Q: What documents do I need in order to apply for a permit?
A: Please refer to the Submittal Requirements page.

Q: What is the cost of a permit?
A: Please refer to the Fees page.

Q: What forms of payment are accepted?
A: Master Card, Visa, Discover, American Express, check, or cash. A 2% convenience fee is added to credit card transactions.

Q: When is a permit required?
A: Permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by our adopted codes. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work do not require a permit. Please contact Building Inspection for any questions concerning your specific project.

Q: When is a permit required for roofing?
A: Roofing permits are required only when structural members supporting the roofing system are being replaced, such as the roof deck or sheathing. Replacement of the roofing system, such as shingles, shakes, tiles, metal panels, underlayment, membranes, cover boards, and insulation does not require a permit. Replacement roof decking may be of the same thickness as the existing roof decking, regardless of the amount of decking replaced.

Q: When is a permit required for a retaining wall?
A: Retaining walls four feet (4') or greater in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or which support a surcharge, require a permit. If that wall faces a public thoroughfare (excluding alleys), it must be veneered with brick or stone.

Q: If a permit is not required, do I still have to follow the code?
A: Yes; building codes are adopted into law by City ordinance. Even when the adopted code waives the requirement to obtain a permit, the code is still applicable and must be followed.

Q: Do I need a permit to make emergency repairs?
A: Where repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted to Building Inspection within the next working day.

Q: If I have a project with multiple trades, should each trade pull their own permit?
A: No. When multiple trades are involved, all work must be permitted on a single permit (e.g., a Renovation/Remodel permit) with the general contractor and all subcontractors assigned to that permit.

Inspections

Q: How do I schedule an inspection?
A: Inspections are scheduled online through the CityServe Portal.

Q: When can utilities be released for construction?
A: Utilities for construction purposes may be released after permits are issued and installations are inspected.

Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.)

Q: What is a Certificate of Occupancy?
A: A Certificate of Occupancy, or C.O., is a document permitting a building to be occupied by a particular tenant for a particular use. A C.O. is required for all commercial buildings or suites which are occupied or used. Upon issuance of a C.O. and approval of all required inspections, utilities will be released with the new tenant’s name.

Q: When is a new Certificate of Occupancy required?
A: A new C.O. is required whenever:

1. A new business intends to occupy a building or suite.
2. An existing business will change business names.
3. An existing business comes under new ownership.
4. An existing business subleases a portion of their space to another tenant. Sublease tenants do not receive their own C.O.; rather, a new C.O. will be issued which contains the information for both the primary and sublease tenants.

Q: Does a Certificate of Occupancy expire? Do I need to renew it annually?
A: No; C.O.s do not expire and therefore do not need to be renewed.

Q: Do I need a Certificate of Occupancy for a home occupation or home-based business?
A: No; the City does not issue C.O.s for home occupations. However, all home occupations must comply with Code of Ordinances Chapter 92.

New Commercial/Multi-family Projects (Ground-up)

Q: Can application be made for a building permit while the site is being platted or zoning is pending?
A: Yes; however, the permit will not be approved until the plat and/or zoning cases are approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission and/or City Council, as applicable.

Q: What early release permits are available?
A: Grading, Paving, Utilities, and Foundation permits are available in advance of approval of the full building permit.

Q: Is a Pre-Construction meeting required?
A: Yes; a Pre-Construction meeting is required prior to permit issuance. All subcontractors should be registered with the City, assigned to the permit, and in attendance of the Pre-Construction meeting. Once the meeting is held and all permit fees are paid, the permit can then be issued.

Q: Can a portion of the building be occupied prior to the completion of the entire building?
A: Yes; a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued for a portion of the building, provided life safety systems are in place and it is safe to occupy.

Q: Do shell buildings receive a Certificate of Occupancy?
A: No; shell buildings are not occupied, and therefore do not receive a C.O. A renovation/remodel (finish-out) permit will automatically generate a C.O. for each tenant upon completion of the final inspection for that finish-out permit.

Landscape

Q: When is a permit required for tree removal?
A: Tree removal permits are required on all commercial and multi-family properties, whether or not the tree species is protected. If the species is protected, the removal must be mitigated by planting replacement trees or paying into the Tree Reforestation Fund. See the Tree Protection Ordinance for further information.

Q: Is artificial turf allowed?
A: Yes; however, artificial turf may not be used to satisfy required landscape areas. On residential lots, a minimum of 10% of the lot must be landscaped. Of that percentage, at least 50% of the required landscape must be within the front half of the lot, and at least 30% of the required landscape must be within the front yard. Artificial turf is prohibited in the City parkway, which must be planted with grass or other living plant material. A permit is not required to install artificial turf.