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Rowlett, TX Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit required for
Construction, enlargement, structural alteration
New buildings need
Recorded plat on file
COO issued within
10 days of completion
COO exemption
Single-family residential structures

Summary

Rowlett requires a building permit before any construction, enlargement, or structural alteration of a building, plus a certificate of occupancy before use: except single-family homes.

No person shall commence the construction, enlargement, or structural alteration of any building in the city, or use or occupy of the same, without first applying for and securing a building permit, or use or occupy the same without first securing a certificate of occupancy and compliance from the chief building official. Certificate of occupancy permits are not required for single-family structures used for residential purposes.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29).

Full Breakdown

Before construction, enlargement, or structural alteration of any building in Rowlett, the owner must first apply for and obtain a building permit from the chief building official on city-furnished forms. No permit may issue for a new building unless the lot is part of a recorded plat filed with Dallas County or Rockwall County and, where required, an approved site plan, landscape plan, facade plan, and tree survey are on file. A certificate of occupancy is also required before use, applied for alongside the permit and issued within ten days of compliant completion: except single-family homes, which are exempt from the certificate requirement.

Violations & Fines

Building, enlarging, or structurally altering a building without a permit, or occupying a building or changed land use without a required certificate of occupancy, violates § 77-809 and is enforceable by the chief building official.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build in Rowlett?
Yes, § 77-809 requires a building permit before any construction, enlargement, or structural alteration, and the lot must be part of a recorded plat filed with Dallas or Rockwall County.
Does a single-family home need a certificate of occupancy?
No, § 77-809 exempts single-family residential structures from the certificate of occupancy requirement, though a building permit is still required.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rowlett

All Rowlett rules

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