Temple, TX Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Deck permit exemption
- Deleted by Sec. 7-62(c)
- Base code
- 2015 International Residential Code
- Retaining wall exemption cut
- 4 ft to 2 ft
- Penalty
- Class C misdemeanor, up to $500
- Issuing authority
- City of Temple Building Official
Summary
Temple's amended 2015 International Residential Code strikes the standard exemption letting small, low decks skip a building permit, so any deck built in the city needs a permit from the Building Official regardless of size or height above grade.
(c) Work exempted from permits. Chapter 1, “Scope and Administration,” Section R105, “Permits,” Subsection R105.2, “Work exempt from permit,” Subsection "Building" shall be amended as follows: (1) Subsections 1, 2, 4, 5, and 10 shall be deleted. (2) Subsection (3) shall be amended as follows: The reference to four feet shall be replaced with two feet (609.6 mm).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Reformat).
Full Breakdown
The 2015 IRC's Section R105.2 "Work exempt from permit" list normally lets homeowners build a deck up to 200 square feet and 30 inches above grade, among other small projects, without a permit. Temple's Section 7-62(c) amendment deletes that deck exemption (subsection 10) along with exemptions for small detached accessory buildings, low fences, water tanks, and low sidewalks/driveways (subsections 1, 2, 4, 5). It also tightens the retaining-wall exemption from 4 feet to 2 feet. Practically: any new deck or patio structure attached to or accessory to a home in Temple needs a building permit from the Building Official before construction starts, no matter the size or height.
Violations & Fines
Building without a required permit is a Class C misdemeanor under Sec. 7-117, punishable by a fine up to $500 (up to $2,000 for zoning-related offenses), with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small deck in Temple?
What about a paved ground-level patio?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Temple
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Temple to another location·View the Texas building safety overview
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Building Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bell County handle building permits.