Travis County has no cool-roof mandate for private properties because Texas preempts local energy code amendments on residential construction beyond the adopted 2015 IRC baseline. Voluntary high-reflectance shingles qualify for utility rebates inside Austin Energy territory.
Unlike Austin, which has adopted Energy Conservation Code amendments that incentivize cool roofs, unincorporated Travis County operates under the statewide Texas Energy Conservation Code adoption with limited local amendment authority. Travis County does not require Solar Reflectance Index ratings on new residential roofs and cannot enforce reflectivity ratios on private replacement projects. Property owners served by Austin Energy or Pedernales Electric Cooperative may qualify for voluntary cool-roof or radiant-barrier rebates depending on territory. The Travis County Building Code adopts the Texas residential code without cool-roof amendments.
No code violation for installing standard composition shingles in unincorporated Travis County. Building permits are issued under the adopted residential code without reflectivity review.
Travis County, TX
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See how Travis County's cool roof requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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