Travis County, TX Environmental Rules: Cool Roof Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- County mandate
- None
- Code basis
- Texas IRC adoption
- Rebate utility
- Austin Energy or Pedernales
- Permit review
- Standard, no SRI check
Summary
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.
Sec. 388.003. ADOPTION OF BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. (b) To achieve energy conservation in all other residential, commercial, and industrial construction, the International Energy Conservation Code as it existed on May 1, 2001, is adopted as the energy code for use in this state for all other residential, commercial, and industrial construction. The State Energy Conservation Office may adopt and substitute for that energy code the latest published edition of the International Energy Conservation Code, based on written findings on the stringency of the edition submitted by the laboratory.
Full Breakdown
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.
Violations & Fines
No code violation for installing standard composition shingles in unincorporated Travis County. Building permits are issued under the adopted residential code without reflectivity review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a cool roof to get a permit?
Are rebates available?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Travis County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Travis County to another location·View the Texas environmental rules overview
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