- CONTACT INFORMATION
- building@amarillo.gov
- 806-378-3041
- 806-378-3085
-
Simms Municipal Building
808 S Buchanan St
Suite 104
Amarillo, TX 79101 -
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Building Safety - Permit Exempt Work
Most construction projects require a permit from the city as described in the International Residential Code Sec. 105.
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. For questions about exemptions, please call Building Safety at 806-378-3041.
permit exempt project examples
Building Exempt Projects
Storage Sheds, Playhouses, and Other Similar Structures
One story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet are considered exempt from permitting requirements.
Electrical Exempt Projects
The following electrical projects are exempt from permitting requirements:
- Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
- Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets therefor.
- Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location.
- Electrical Wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
- Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
Emergency Repairs
Section 105.2.1
Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency, the permit application shall be submitted within the next business day.
Fence Exempt Projects
Most residential fence projects in Amarillo do not require a permit if the fence is 8 feet tall or less, but all fences must still comply with building and zoning codes, including specific height limits in front and rear yards and special rules for corner lots. Always check local requirements before starting your project by calling Building Safety at 806-378-3041.
Exception: Regardless of height, a permit is required for construction, alteration, or repairs of the mandatory barrier/enclosure for swimming pools or spas, whether the barrier/enclosure is used in a residential or commercial application.
Gas Exempt Projects
- Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.
- Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
- Portable-Fuel-Cell Appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
General Repair Exempt Projects
Section 105.2.2
Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures, replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
Such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of , replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage , drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electrical wiring or mechanical or other works affecting public health or general safety.
Violations of this code will be considered as “Work Started Without Permit” subject to a late fee of $250.00 plus permit fee for first occurrence. A second or subsequent occurrence will be subject to a late fee of $500.00 plus three times the permit fee.
Mechanical Exempt Projects
- Portable heating appliances.
- Portable ventilation appliances.
- Portable cooling units.
- Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
- Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
- Portable evaporative coolers.
- Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.
- Portable-Fuel-Cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
Plumbing Exempt Projects
- The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and placed the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
- The clearing of stoppage or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.
Retaining Wall Exempt Projects
Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
Roofing Exempt Projects
Repairs of one square (100sq ft) or less do not require a permit. Anything over one square (100 sq ft) requires a permit and compliance with the applicable code.
Additional Exempt Projects
- Driveways located within private property lot lines (excluding approach).
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
- Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
- Swings and other playground equipment.
- Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that does not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
- Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the required exit door in section R311.4.