Outdoor kitchens in Garland require separate trade permits from Building Inspection: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit for gas lines, plumbing permit for water/sinks, and electrical permit for outdoor outlets. Garland enforces the 2021 International Codes with Texas amendments. Setbacks under the Garland Development Code apply to permanent accessory structures.
Garland administers the building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes (2021 International Codes with Texas amendments) through the Building Inspection Department. Built-in outdoor kitchens require: (1) Building permit for any structural slab over the threshold size, masonry counter walls, foundation, or roofed pergola/pavilion under the IRC/IBC; (2) Mechanical permit for any new natural-gas line extension to a built-in grill under the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), including pressure test and final inspection - Atmos Energy typically supplies natural gas in Garland; (3) Plumbing permit for outdoor sinks, ice-maker lines, or new hose bibbs under the IPC, including backflow prevention; (4) Electrical permit for any new outdoor circuits, GFCI-protected outlets, lighting, or refrigerator/freezer circuits under the NEC - outdoor outlets must be in 'wet location' rated enclosures with weatherproof in-use covers. Garland Power & Light is the municipal electric utility in much of the city. The Garland Development Code requires permanent accessory structures to comply with side and rear yard setback requirements for the relevant zoning district. Roofed pavilion structures count toward lot-coverage and impervious-surface limits. ASCE 7 Risk Category II wind-load criteria apply to roofed structures. A licensed plumber must extend any new gas line and a licensed electrician must perform new circuit work under Texas Occupations Code Ch. 1301 and 1305.
Unpermitted gas/electrical/plumbing work: Building Inspection stop-work order, double permit fees on after-the-fact applications, mandatory exposure of concealed work. Unpermitted gas lines: Atmos Energy may disconnect service. Fines up to $2,000 per day for building code violations under Texas LGC Sec. 54.001.
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