Waco, TX Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2024 International Building Code (§6-26)
- Permit trigger
- Before construct, alter, move, demolish
- Enforcing office
- Waco Development Services, code official
- Stop-work fine
- $1 to $2,000 per day
- Occupancy
- Certificate required (§6-37)
Summary
Waco requires a building permit before anyone may construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish a building or structure. The city adopts the 2024 International Building and Residential Codes, and the code official issues permits through Development Services before work begins.
IPMC Section 103.4 Permits, shall be added to read: Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change a building or structure or to cause any work to be done shall first make application to the code official and obtain the required permit thereof. Ordinary minor repairs may be made with the approval of the code official without a permit, provided that such repairs shall not violate any of the provisions of this code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).
Full Breakdown
Waco Code of Ordinances Section 6-26 adopts the 2024 International Building Code, 2024 International Residential Code, and companion plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, and existing-building codes as the city's Minimum Building Standard Codes, effective under Ordinance 2025-813 (November 4, 2025). Section 6-27(1) requires any owner, agent, or contractor to apply to the code official and obtain a permit before construction; only ordinary minor repairs are exempt with the code official's approval. Waco Development Services (Inspection Services) reviews applications, and Section 6-28 bars issuing a permit until the council-set fees are paid. A certificate of occupancy is separately required before occupancy under Section 6-37.
Violations & Fines
Continuing work after a stop-work order carries a fine of $1 to $2,000, with each day a separate offense (Sec. 6-27(12), IPMC 108.4). A building may not be occupied without a certificate of occupancy (Sec. 6-37).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waco
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