Texas contractor licensing
How to Get a Contractor License in Austin, Texas
Austin requires a General Contractor registration from the city for foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, and demolition. It costs $82.56.
City contractor registration in Austin
| Registration | General Contractor registration (Building and Trade Contractor Services) |
|---|---|
| Covers | Foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, and demolition |
| Fee | $82.56 (new registration; annual renewal $21.42 per the fee schedule). The fee schedule lists a $21.42 annual renewal, but the registration page says general contractors register once and do not update annually. The fee does not apply to owners acting as contractor on their own homestead. Residential fee schedule effective October 1, 2026. |
| Processing time | The confirmation email gives an approximate wait time; no standard time is published. |
| Renewal | Registration page: none unless name, address or agents change. Fee schedule: $21.42 annual renewal. Confirm with BTCS. |
| Before a permit | You must be registered before the permit is issued |
How to register
- Open an Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal account and note the AB+C ID.
- Submit the General Contractor registration web form with the signed Letter of Authorization.
- Receive the contractor PIN from BTCS.
- Use the PIN to activate approved building permits or apply for stand-alone permits.
Anyone, including a homeowner, can be the general contractor in Austin. A registered general contractor must be assigned to every building permit before it is activated.
What each trade needs in Austin
| Foundation repair | Easy · 2 | General Contractor registration with Building and Trade Contractor Services | $82.56 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Easy · 2 | General Contractor registration with Building and Trade Contractor Services | $82.56 |
| Roofing | Easy · 2 | General Contractor registration with Building and Trade Contractor Services | $82.56 |
| Plumbing | Hard or harder · 62+ | Trade contractor | |
| Electrical | Hard or harder · 58+ | Trade contractor | |
| HVAC | Hard or harder · 52+ | Trade contractor | |
| Irrigation | Moderate · 29 | Irrigation registration with the City | $67.39 |
| Concrete flatwork | Not rated | Right-of-Way Contractor License | |
| Drainage and detention | Not rated | Not published | $386.63 |
| Demolition | Easy · 2 | General Contractor registration | $81.07 |
Tap a column to sort. Each trade opens its Texas comparison by city, and fees link to the official fee page, checked October 18, 2026. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC and irrigation also need a Texas state license, which no city registration replaces.
Concrete flatwork and drainage and detention work are not rated because their rules are not fully published.
How the difficulty score works
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| Local rule | General Contractor registration with Building and Trade Contractor Services (BTCS). |
|---|---|
| Engineer letter | Not listed. The Express permit requirements for foundation repair do not include an engineer's letter (a sealed Structural Verification Report is listed only for fire or vehicle damage repairs). Larger or structural work that exceeds Express limits goes to full residential review. |
| Permit fee | $112.76 (Express Residential Plan Review fee, plus $72.96 Express inspection fee) |
Foundation repair that increases impervious cover by no more than 128 square feet qualifies for a Residential Express Permit, usually issued in one business day. A foundation repair of 128 square feet or less is exempt from a building permit. A plumbing permit may also be needed. Residential fee schedule effective October 1, 2026.
Most residential foundation repairs qualify for a Residential Express Permit pulled by a registered general contractor; repairs of 128 square feet or less are exempt.
- Open an AB+C portal account and register as a general contractor to get a PIN.
- Complete the Residential Express Permit Application and submit it online.
- Pay the invoice; the permit activates on payment when the contractor PIN is linked.
- Schedule inspections through AB+C; add a plumbing permit if plumbing is disturbed.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Austin contractor registration; Austin express permits; Austin work exempt from building permits; Austin residential fee schedule.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| Local rule | General Contractor registration with Building and Trade Contractor Services (BTCS). |
|---|
No license, exam or insurance is required. Register through the web form with a Letter of Authorization after opening an Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal account; BTCS issues a contractor PIN used to activate permits.
Remodels and additions need a residential building permit (Express for qualifying small repairs) with a registered general contractor assigned.
- Open an AB+C account and register as a general contractor.
- Apply for the residential building permit or Express permit.
- Activate and pay for the permit with the contractor PIN.
- Schedule inspections and get the Certificate of Occupancy or Completion.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Austin contractor registration; Austin residential fee schedule; Austin express permits.
Roofing
| Local rule | General Contractor registration with Building and Trade Contractor Services (BTCS). |
|---|
No roofing-specific registration. Replacing asphalt shingles with asphalt shingles, or any roof covering that does not affect the roof structure, is exempt from a permit unless the property is in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area and 50 percent or more is replaced. Decking replacement over 128 square feet needs an Express permit. Austin Fire charges a $370 residential roof replacement inspection where it applies. Residential fee schedule effective October 1, 2026.
Like-for-like re-roofs are usually exempt; decking over 128 square feet or 50 percent or more replacement in the WUI area needs an Express permit with a registered general contractor.
- Check whether the property is in the Wildland-Urban Interface area.
- If a permit is needed, register as a general contractor and apply for a Residential Express Permit.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Austin express permits; Austin work exempt from building permits; Austin residential fee schedule.
Plumbing
| Local rule | Trade contractor (MEP) registration with BTCS. |
|---|---|
| Fee | No MEP registration fee appears in the residential fee schedule. Fee schedule |
Register in person or by web form with state ID, the TSBPE license and a Letter of Authorization; update the registration every year and whenever the state license changes.
Plumbing work needs a plumbing permit activated by a plumber registered with BTCS.
Submit the MEP trade contractor registration with the state license and Letter of Authorization.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Austin contractor registration; Austin residential fee schedule.
Electrical
| Local rule | Trade contractor (MEP) registration with BTCS. |
|---|---|
| Fee | No MEP registration fee appears in the residential fee schedule. Fee schedule |
Register with state ID, the TDLR contractor and master license and a Letter of Authorization; update annually.
Electrical work needs an electrical permit activated by an electrical contractor registered with BTCS.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Austin contractor registration.
HVAC
| Local rule | Trade contractor (MEP) registration with BTCS. |
|---|---|
| Fee | No MEP registration fee appears in the residential fee schedule. The HVAC change-out permit is $74.05 for the first system. Fee schedule |
Register with state ID, the TDLR ACR license and a Letter of Authorization; update annually.
HVAC replacements use the residential change-out permit ($74.05 first system) activated by a registered ACR contractor.
Activate the mechanical or change-out permit with the contractor PIN.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Austin contractor registration; Austin residential fee schedule.
Irrigation
| Local rule | Irrigation registration with the City (TCEQ-licensed installers). |
|---|---|
| Fee | $67.39 (new registration; $21.42 annual renewal) |
Austin's plumbing code amendments require a TCEQ-licensed irrigator to register with the City and get a plumbing permit before installing a landscape irrigation system. New one- and two-family systems must also meet city design rules beyond the state's, including a master valve, a soil moisture sensor or rain shut-off at or before half an inch of rain, no spray heads in areas six feet wide or less, heads at least six inches from pavement, hydrozoned valves and an isolation valve between the meter and backflow device. Commercial and multi-family systems have their own list. Austin Water inspects new residential systems. Residential fee schedule effective October 1, 2026.
A new landscape irrigation system needs a plumbing permit pulled by a city-registered TCEQ irrigator, and it must pass Austin's local design rules at inspection.
- Register the TCEQ license with BTCS and pay the irrigation registration fee.
- Design the system to Austin's local requirements (master valve, rain or moisture shut-off, spacing rules).
- Pass the irrigation inspection; renew the city registration every year.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Austin plumbing code local amendments, Ordinance 20170615-104, Section 104.1.4 and 615; Austin residential fee schedule; Austin contractor registration.
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| Local rule | Right-of-Way Contractor License (Transportation and Public Works). |
|---|---|
| Fee | The license is issued after an invoice is paid; the amount is not on the license page. Call Right-of-Way Management through 3-1-1. Fee schedule |
| Insurance | Certificate of insurance on file (amount not stated on the license page). |
| Bond | $10,000. Source |
A Driveway/Sidewalk permit in the right-of-way requires insurance, a $10,000 bond and the Right-of-Way Contractor License. Subcontractors working in the right-of-way must also be licensed. The license stays valid until the bond or insurance on file expires. Sidewalks, driveways and flatwork outside the right-of-way are exempt from a building permit.
Driveway approaches and sidewalks in the public right-of-way need a Driveway/Sidewalk permit pulled by a licensed Right-of-Way Contractor; private flatwork is exempt.
- Get a $10,000 bond and a certificate of insurance.
- Submit the bond, insurance, Resolution of Authority and Authorized Agent Form through the ROW Contractors SmartSheet.
- Apply for a Driveway/Sidewalk permit for each job; keep the bond and insurance current.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Austin right-of-way contractors; Austin work exempt from building permits.
Demolition
| Local rule | General Contractor registration (permit holder) plus demolition permit. |
|---|---|
| Fee | $81.07 (demolition permit, plus $60.50 pre-demolition inspection) |
Total demolitions need a Demolition Permit Application and a notarized Affidavit of Compliance, a pre-demolition inspection, and neighbor notification by the general contractor 5 to 10 business days before demolition. Residential structures 45 years or older need Historic Preservation Office review and possibly the Historic Landmark Commission. Residential fee schedule effective October 1, 2026.
A total demolition needs a demolition permit, a pre-demolition inspection and neighbor notification; houses 45 years or older go through historic review.
- Submit the Demolition Permit Application and Affidavit of Compliance.
- Clear historic review if the house is 45 years or older, and tree review if protected trees are affected.
- Pass the pre-demolition inspection and post the yard sign and door hangers 5 to 10 business days before demolition.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Austin demolition permit; Austin residential fee schedule.
Austin does not publish a local license or registration rule for drainage and detention work. Ask Austin Development Services before you bid that work.
Official sources and contacts
Austin Development Services, Building and Trade Contractor Services, 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000.
- Contractor registration
- Development Services fees (FY 2026-27)
- Residential fee schedule PDF
- Express permits
- Work exempt from building permits
- Right-of-way contractors
- Demolition permit
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with Austin Development Services before you apply or bid.