Plano, TX Outdoor Cooking: Outdoor Kitchen Permits (2026)

Plano administers the building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes (2021 International Codes with Texas amendments) through Building Inspections. 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 Plano; (3) Plumbing permit for outdoor sinks, ice-maker lines, or 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. The Plano Zoning Ordinance requires permanent accessory structures to comply with side and rear yard setback requirements for the relevant zoning district — typically 5-10 ft side and 10-20 ft rear in SF districts. Roofed pavilion structures count toward lot-coverage and impervious-surface limits. Tornado-prone wind loading: ASCE 7 Risk Category II with appropriate wind-uplift connections is required for roofed structures. A licensed plumber must extend any new gas line and a licensed electrician must do new circuit work under Texas Occupations Code Ch. 1305 and 1301.