Texas contractor licensing
How to Get a Contractor License in Waco, Texas
Waco does not publish a general contractor registration.
What each trade needs in Waco
| Foundation repair | Not rated | Company registration in the Citizen Self Service portal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Not rated | Company registration in the Citizen Self Service portal | |
| Roofing | Not rated | Company registration in the Citizen Self Service portal | |
| Plumbing | Hard · 62 | Plumbing contractor registration | Free |
| Electrical | Hard · 58 | Electrical contractor registration | Free |
| HVAC | Hard · 52 | Mechanical contractor registration | Free |
| Irrigation | Moderate or harder · 27+ | Proof of state irrigator license in the portal | |
| Concrete flatwork | Not rated | Not published | |
| Drainage and detention | Not rated | No grading contractor registration found. A site grading permit is required. | $50 |
| Demolition | Not rated | Company registration in the Citizen Self Service portal |
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, general contracting, 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 | Company registration in the Citizen Self Service portal; Waco does not say whether a separate general contractor registration is required. Call (254) 750-5612. |
|---|
Waco requires registration before plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits are issued, and asks for proof of state licensing for mechanical, plumbing, electrical and irrigation work. There is no registration fee for contractors. We found no separate general contractor registration requirement.
Foundation leveling on an existing house needs a $75 leveling permit plus the $15 technology fee.
- Create an account on the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- Apply for permits and pay fees in the portal.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Waco, Residential Construction Permits; City of Waco, Permit Fee Schedules.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| Local rule | Company registration in the Citizen Self Service portal; Waco does not say whether a separate general contractor registration is required. Call (254) 750-5612. |
|---|
Residential repairs and alterations need a $200 permit; additions are $0.45 per sq. ft.
- Create an account on the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- Apply for permits and pay fees in the portal.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Waco, Residential Construction Permits; City of Waco, Permit Fee Schedules; City of Waco, Registering and Applying for a Permit.
Roofing
| Local rule | Company registration in the Citizen Self Service portal; Waco does not say whether a separate general contractor registration is required. Call (254) 750-5612. |
|---|
A residential reroof needs a $125 roofing permit.
- Create an account on the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- Apply for permits and pay fees in the portal.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Waco, Residential Construction Permits; City of Waco, Permit Fee Schedules.
Plumbing
| Local rule | Plumbing contractor registration (no fee). |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
Registration is required before the trade permit is issued; show proof of the state license. Trade subcontractors permit their own work and call in their own inspections.
Plumbing permits are pulled by a registered TSBPE-licensed plumber.
- Create an account on the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- Apply for permits and pay fees in the portal.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Waco, Residential Construction Permits; City of Waco, Permit Fee Schedules.
Electrical
| Local rule | Electrical contractor registration (no fee). |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
Electrical permits are pulled by a registered TDLR-licensed electrical contractor.
- Create an account on the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- Apply for permits and pay fees in the portal.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Waco, Residential Construction Permits; City of Waco, Permit Fee Schedules.
HVAC
| Local rule | Mechanical contractor registration (no fee). |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free |
Mechanical permits are pulled by a registered TDLR ACR contractor.
- Create an account on the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- Apply for permits and pay fees in the portal.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Waco, Residential Construction Permits; City of Waco, Permit Fee Schedules.
Irrigation
| Local rule | Proof of state irrigator license in the portal. |
|---|
Waco requires proof of state licensing for irrigation work. Lawn sprinkler permits are on the plumbing fee schedule.
Lawn sprinkler systems are permitted under the plumbing and lawn sprinkler fee schedule by a licensed irrigator or plumber.
- Create an account on the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- Apply for permits and pay fees in the portal.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Waco, Residential Construction Permits; City of Waco, Permit Fee Schedules.
Drainage and detention (grading, drainage, stormwater and detention ponds)
| Local rule | No grading contractor registration found. A site grading permit is required. |
|---|
Site grading is $50 plus a $60 site grading plan review. Drainage and detention design must be sealed by a Texas PE.
Site grading needs a $50 grading permit and a $60 plan review.
- Have a Texas Professional Engineer prepare the grading plan.
- Apply for the site grading permit and plan review.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Waco, Residential Construction Permits; City of Waco, Permit Fee Schedules.
Demolition
| Local rule | Company registration in the Citizen Self Service portal; Waco does not say whether a separate general contractor registration is required. Call (254) 750-5612. |
|---|
Demolishing a house needs a $75 demolition permit ($150 one-story commercial, $500 multi-story).
- Create an account on the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- Apply for permits and pay fees in the portal.
Checked October 18, 2026 against City of Waco, Residential Construction Permits; City of Waco, Permit Fee Schedules.
Waco does not publish a local license or registration rule for foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, concrete flatwork, drainage and detention work, and demolition. Ask Waco Inspection Services before you bid that work.
Official sources and contacts
Waco Inspection Services, (254) 750-5612.
- City of Waco, Residential Construction Permits
- City of Waco, Commercial Construction Permits
- City of Waco, Registering and Applying for a Permit
- City of Waco, Permit Fee Schedules
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with Waco Inspection Services before you apply or bid.