Building, Electrical, Mechanical & Plumbing Permits, Explained

Every permit on this site falls into one of four broad categories. Here's what each one actually covers, and how they break down across the full permit record.

4 min read · Updated 2026-08-20 · 2,371,355 permits on record, through 2026-08-18

Building permits

Building permits cover general construction - new construction, additions, structural remodels, decks, garages and similar work. This is usually the broadest category, and often the one people mean when they say "permit" without qualifying it.

Electrical permits

Electrical permits cover wiring, panel upgrades, new circuits and similar electrical work. In Texas, electricians are separately licensed at the state level by TDLR under the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act - a permit on file with the city and a contractor's state license are two different things.

Mechanical permits

Mechanical permits cover HVAC systems - installing, replacing or significantly altering heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment.

Plumbing permits

Plumbing permits cover water, gas and sewer line work, fixture installation, and similar plumbing systems work.

How they break down across Austin

The table below reflects the full permit record on file and updates automatically as new permits are added - it's not a snapshot frozen at publish time.

Permit type	Permits on record	Share of total
Electrical Permit	686,222	29%
Plumbing Permit	544,702	23%
Building Permit	519,416	22%
Mechanical Permit	504,612	21%
Driveway / Sidewalks	116,403	5%

Search by permit type

Every permit listing on this site shows its type directly. Search an address or contractor to see the mix of permit types associated with a property or company, or open the interactive map to filter results down to a single type.

Interactive map How to find permits by address

In this guide

Search an address

Common questions

Can one project need more than one type of permit?

Yes - a kitchen remodel, for example, might need building, electrical and plumbing permits filed separately for the same job.

Which permit type is most common in Austin?

See the live breakdown above - it reflects the full permit record and updates automatically as new permits are filed.

“Up next” related guides

PERMITS

Building, Electrical, Mechanical & Plumbing Permits, Explained

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Electrical permits

Mechanical permits

Plumbing permits

How they break down across Austin

Search by permit type

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