Texas contractor licensing
How to Get a Contractor License in Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville requires a city of Brownsville contractor registration, General Contractors from the city for foundation repair, general contracting, concrete flatwork, and demolition. It costs $250 per registration.
City contractor registration in Brownsville
| Registration | City of Brownsville contractor registration, General Contractors (general, concrete, demolition, foundation) |
|---|---|
| Covers | Foundation repair, general contracting, concrete flatwork, and demolition |
| Fee | $250 per registration |
| Processing time | Plan review takes three to five business days when the submittal is complete. |
How to register
- Bring a copy of valid identification.
- If registering a company, add a notarized letter of authorization from the owner and a formation document, articles of incorporation, Secretary of State filing or assumed name certificate.
- Pay the $250 General Contractor fee.
- Apply for permits online through Accela.
Brownsville's $250 general contractor fee is one of the higher ones among Texas cities we checked, while electrical, plumbing, irrigation and mechanical registrations are free. The sheet does not say whether the $250 renews yearly.
What each trade needs in Brownsville
| Foundation repair | Not rated | City of Brownsville contractor registration, General Contractors | $250 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Easy · 5 | City of Brownsville contractor registration, General Contractors | $250 |
| Roofing | Not rated | Not published | |
| Plumbing | Hard · 62 | Plumbing contractor registration | Free |
| Electrical | Hard · 58 | Electrical contractor registration | Free |
| HVAC | Hard · 52 | Mechanical | Free |
| Irrigation | Moderate · 32 | Irrigation contractor registration | Free |
| Concrete flatwork | Not rated | City of Brownsville contractor registration, General Contractors | $250 |
| Drainage and detention | Not rated | Not published | |
| Demolition | Not rated | City of Brownsville contractor registration, General Contractors | $250 |
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.
Foundation repair, roofing, concrete flatwork, drainage and detention work, and demolition are not rated because their rules are not fully published.
How the difficulty score works
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| Local rule | City of Brownsville contractor registration, General Contractors (general, concrete, demolition, foundation). |
|---|
The City's registration sheet (dated February 5, 2024) lists general, concrete, demolition and foundation contractors in the General Contractors group, with ID and a $250 fee. No insurance or exam is listed for general contractors.
Foundation work is permitted to a registered general contractor; the residential checklist asks for structural plans with seals where law requires.
- If registering a company, add a notarized letter of authorization from the owner and a formation document, articles of incorporation, Secretary of State filing or assumed name certificate.
- Submit the permit online with plans; have a Texas PE seal structural drawings where required.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Brownsville, contractor registration documents; City of Brownsville, residential document submittal.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| Local rule | City of Brownsville contractor registration, General Contractors (general, concrete, demolition, foundation). |
|---|
Additions need a site plan, existing and proposed floor plans and structural plans; alterations need floor plans.
If registering a company, add a notarized letter of authorization from the owner and a formation document, articles of incorporation, Secretary of State filing or assumed name certificate.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Brownsville, contractor registration documents; City of Brownsville, residential document submittal.
Plumbing
| Local rule | Plumbing contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Insurance | Proof of insurance is required. No amount is stated. |
Requires a copy of the current Texas Master Plumber license and valid ID. No registration fee is assessed.
Register with license, proof of insurance and ID (no fee).
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Brownsville, contractor registration documents.
Electrical
| Local rule | Electrical contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Insurance | Proof of insurance is required. No amount is stated. |
Requires a copy of the current Texas Master Electrician license and valid ID. No registration fee is assessed.
Electrical permits are pulled by a licensed electrical contractor registered with the City.
Register with license, proof of insurance and ID (no fee).
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Brownsville, contractor registration documents.
HVAC
| Local rule | Mechanical (HVAC) contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
Requires a copy of the current Texas ACR license and valid ID. No registration fee is assessed.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Brownsville, contractor registration documents.
Irrigation
| Local rule | Irrigation contractor registration. |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
| Insurance | Proof of insurance is required. No amount is stated. |
Requires a copy of the current Texas Irrigator license and valid ID. No registration fee is assessed.
Landscape irrigation permits are applied for online in Accela under the City's landscape irrigation ordinance (2018-1100.59).
Register with license, proof of insurance and ID (no fee).
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Brownsville, contractor registration documents; City of Brownsville, Irrigation.
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| Local rule | City of Brownsville contractor registration, General Contractors (general, concrete, demolition, foundation). |
|---|
Concrete contractors register as general contractors; we did not find the driveway or sidewalk permit details.
If registering a company, add a notarized letter of authorization from the owner and a formation document, articles of incorporation, Secretary of State filing or assumed name certificate.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Brownsville, contractor registration documents.
Demolition
| Local rule | City of Brownsville contractor registration, General Contractors (general, concrete, demolition, foundation). |
|---|
Demolition needs a permit with the City's demolition submittal documents.
If registering a company, add a notarized letter of authorization from the owner and a formation document, articles of incorporation, Secretary of State filing or assumed name certificate.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Brownsville, contractor registration documents; City of Brownsville, Demolition.
Brownsville does not publish a local license or registration rule for roofing and drainage and detention work. Ask the city's permit office before you bid that work.
Official sources and contacts
- City of Brownsville, contractor registration documents
- City of Brownsville, Residential Construction
- City of Brownsville, required documents for residential projects (rev. 02/12/2026)
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with the city's permit office before you apply or bid.