Permit Exceptions


Permit Exemptions

WORK EXEMPT FROM PERMITS:

Per Fort Worth Building Code, Section 106.2 (Ordinance Amendment 13625)

  • Demolition of a structure by the State of Texas for highway widening purposes.
  • Fences not over six feet high and open wire fences without slates up to eight feet high.  In addition, both heights may have barbed wire, when installed in accordance with City Code, added above the six and eight fee dimensions.
  • Flammable liquid tanks when a Fire Department permit has been issued, except that foundations for said tanks shall require a building permit.
  • Freestanding satellite dishes not exceeding one meter in diameter that does not exceed 12 feet in height.
  • Moveable cases, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches high.
  • Painting, papering, and similar finish work.
  • Platforms, walks and decks not more than six inches above grade and not over any basement or story below.
  • Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R, Division 3 Occupancy in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons.
  • Retaining walls, which are not over four feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, Ii or III-A liquids.  (Retaining walls placed in succession shall be considered one wall if, upon drawing a line from the bottom of the footing of the lower wall at a 45 degree angle up and towards the higher wall, the line intersects the higher walls or any material retained by the wall at any point.)
  • Roof repairs on Group R, Division 3 and their accessory structures.  For the purpose of this section roof repairs shall include the repair and replacement of the material above, but not including the decking material, lathing boards, or sheathing boards.
  • Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
  • Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R, Division 3, and Group U Occupancies when projecting not more than 54 inches.

NOTE: Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits will be required for the above-exempted items.


Exempted Electrical Work Per Fort Worth Electrical Code, Chapter C:

  • Portable motors or other portable appliances energized by means of a cord or cable having an attachment plug end to be connected to an approved receptacle when that cord or cable is permitted by city code.
  • Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets thereof.
  • Repair or replacement of:
  1. Any over current device of the required capacity in the same location, or
  2. Electrodes or transformers of the same size and capacity for signs or gas tube systems.
  3. Taping joints.
  4. Removal of electrical wiring.
  5. Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in suitable experimental laboratories.
  6. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
  7. Low-energy power, control and signal circuits of Classes II and III as defined in the city’s code.
  8. Electrical maintenance work, as defined in the code that is performed by an individual properly authorized to do such work under Section C05.

Exempted Mechanical Work Per Fort Worth Mechanical Code, Section C02:

  • Any portable heating appliance, portable ventilating equipment, portable cooling unit or portable evaporative cooler.
  • A closed system of steam, hot or chilled water piping within heating or cooling equipment regulated by city code.
  • Replacement of any component part or assembly of an appliance, which does not alter its original approval and complies with other applicable code requirements.
  • Refrigerating equipment that is part of the equipment for which a permit has been issued pursuant to code requirements.
  • A unit refrigerating system.

Exempted Fire Protection System Work Per Fort Worth Fire Code, Appendix VII-B (Ordinance Amendment 13636)

  • Fire Sprinkler Systems Installation with less than 11 sprinklers.

Exempted Plumbing Work Per Fort Worth Plumbing Code, Section 106.2 (Ordinance Amendment 13520)

  • The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
  • The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

NOTE: Exemption from the permit requirements shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in violation of the provisions of city code or any other laws or ordinances of the City of Fort Worth.