Do You Need a Demolition Permit in Austin?

Short answer

Yes - the City of Austin requires a permit for any total demolition of a structure, and for partial demolitions that remove more than half of a building's exterior walls. This applies to both residential and commercial properties.

What triggers extra review

Every total demolition requires a pre-demolition inspection and notice to adjacent residential properties before work can start, with a minimum five-day waiting period after that notice is filed.

If the structure is a residential building 45 years or older, it also goes through review by Austin's Historic Preservation Office, and possibly the Historic Landmark Commission, before a permit is issued.

For commercial or multi-family demolitions, an approved Site Plan is required first - a full Site Plan Application for demolitions over 10,000 square feet, or a Site Plan Exemption for smaller ones.

Where to apply

Residential total demolitions and commercial/multi-family total demolitions each have their own application through Austin Development Services. Requirements and the current web forms are maintained on the city's own demolition permit page (linked below) - worth checking directly before you file, since requirements can change and this guide isn't a substitute for that.

Check if a permit is already on file

Buying, inspecting, or living near a property that's about to be (or was recently) demolished? Search the address on Austin Permit Search to see its full permit history, including any demolition permit that's been filed.