Apply for Permits

The Customer Self-Service (CSS) Portal is the City of Grand Prairie's online permitting and inspection system. Permit or plan applicants can access the CSS portal from a computer, tablet or smart phone to create a new account, apply for permits, make payments online, request inspections, create new development cases, and view real-time data.

Customer Self-Service

What is Grand Prairie's Customer Self-Service Portal?

The Customer Self-Service Portal is the City of Grand Prairie's online permitting and inspection system. Once you create an account, you can log in and do the following:

• Apply for permits, plans and licenses
• Request inspections
• Search for existing permits, plans, inspections, code cases, requests and licenses
• Check on statuses
• Estimate fees
• Pay invoices
• File code complaints

How do I use the Customer Self-Service Portal?

First time users will need a valid email address to set up an account. It takes about 5 minutes to register a new account.

Once you have signed up for an account, you can start applying online for permits. Please note:

• Any plans submitted for plan review will need to be in a PDF format.
• Invoices will be sent through the CSS portal for all plan review and permit fees.
• Inspections will be requested through the CSS portal. 

Customer Self-Service Help Guides

How to Create Customer Self-Service Login(PDF, 269KB)

Customer Self-Service Guide for Development Review Committee Comments(PDF, 2MB)

Planning Division Customer Self-Service Demonstration Video

Can I apply for any City of Grand Prairie permit through Customer Self-Service?

Most permits, licenses and plans are included in the Customer Self-Service Portal. The following is a list of city permits or registrations that have different application processes and are currently not included in the Customer Self-Service Portal:

• Alarm Permits
• Alcohol Permits
• Auto-Related Business Permit
• Backflow Tester Registration
• Childcare Permits
• Food Service Permits
• Gas Wells Permits
• Short-Term Rental Permit
• Hotel/Motel Permit
• Liquid Waste Hauler Permit
• On-site Sewage Facility Permit
• Swimming Pools Permit
• Water Wells Permit

The City of Grand Prairie's Alarm Ordinance requires that commercial, residential and multi-family alarm users (non-financial alarm users) in the city obtain permits to remain active.

How to Apply for Alarm Permit

A Certificate of Occupancy is a document issued by the City of Grand Prairie certifying a building's compliance with applicable building codes and other laws, and indicating it to be in a condition suitable for occupancy. If you are working out of your home, you may also need to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy.

The Certificate of Occupancy application is available through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for Certificate of Occupancy Applications

The Building Inspections Division conducts the following types of commercial permits and inspections within the city limits of Grand Prairie. Permitting requirements vary considerably depending on the scope of the project.

Commercial permit applications available through the Customer Self-Service Portal include:

The Clearing, Grubbing, and Earthwork Permit allows the applicant to install erosion control measures and begin the earth disturbing activities associated with the development. You can apply for the Clearing, Grubbing and Earthwork Permit through the Grand Prairie Customer Self-Service.

Requirements for Clearing, Grubbing and Earthwork Permit

To be a contractor or home builder in the City of Grand Prairie, you must register with the Building Inspections Division.

All convenience stores located within the city limits of the City of Grand Prairie are required to register online with the Code Compliance Division.

A Convenience Store License application is available through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for Convenience Store Registrations

A licensed is required for each donation box placed within city limits of Grand Prairie. All donation boxes located within the city limits of the City of Grand Prairie are required to register online with the Code Compliance Division.

The Donation Box License application is available through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for Donation Box License

You can apply for the Engineering Public Works Construction permits through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

The Fire Prevention Division conducts the following types of permits and inspections within the city limits of Grand Prairie. All permits are require an approved inspection enforceable through the International Fire Code, 2015 edition.

Fire Prevention permit applications available through the Grand Prairie Customer Self-Service Portal include:

A Floodplain Development Permit shall be required for all proposed development within 200 feet of a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or floodplain to assure conformance with the provisions of Article 15 of the Unified Development Code (UDC).

The Floodplain Development Permit application is available through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for Floodplain Development Permit

The Engineering Division is responsible for developing standards and issuance of permits to franchised utility companies (electric, telephone, gas, cable TV, etc.) that use city right-of-way or easements for installation of their facilities. The Engineering Division ensures installation of franchised facilities are correctly located within the right-of-way and that the right-of-way is restored to acceptable condition.

The Franchise Utility Notification Permit application is available through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for Franchise Utility Notification Permit

All garage sales located within the city limits of the City of Grand Prairie are required to register online with the Code Compliance Division.

The Garage Sale Permit application is available through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for Garage Sale Permits

A Specific Use Permit is required for Group Living Residential Uses that are within 2,500 feet of another Group Living Residential Use. The purpose of this is to register the location of any Group Living Residential Use. Planning staff will use the address to verify that the use is allowed in the zoning district and check the location’s proximity to other Group Living Residential Uses to determine if a Specific Use Permit is required.

Group Living Residential license applications available through Grand Prairie Customer Self-Service Portal include:

• Assisted Living Facility (No Personal Care)
• Boarding House
• Drug/Alcohol/Care Home
• Monastery/Convent
• Other Care Facilities
• Psych. Care Home
• Registered Group Home
• Rooming House
• Temporary emergency Shelter/Home

To operate a hotel or motel in Grand Prairie, you must submit the Hotel/Motel Permit (Lodging Permit) Application through the Grand Prairie Housing and Neighborhood Services Department. This process is required annually.

Apply for Hotel/Motel Permit

Complete the following form and submit to the Grand Prairie Police Department in order to apply for an Itinerant Vendor/Solicitor Permit

Itinerant Vendor/Solicitor Permit Application(PDF, 319KB) 

The Environmental Quality Division reviews plans to ensure that public health is protected and to ensure compliance with federal, state and city ordinances. The Environmental Quality Division permits and inspects the following types of businesses and facilities.

You can apply for the following Environmental Quality permits in person. View permit requirements and download application forms:

The Building Inspections Division conducts the following types of residential permits and inspections within the city limits of Grand Prairie. Permitting requirements vary considerably depending on the scope of the project.

Residential permit applications available through the Customer Self-Service Portal include:

All short-term rental operators are required to obtain a permit from the city annually and pay hotel occupancy taxes. A short-term rental means the use of a residential unit for its intended purpose for a tenancy of 30 or fewer consecutive calendar days for a fee. This includes homes or other units, such as a garage apartment or backyard cottage, listed for rent on Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, and similar websites. 

Short-term Rental Registration Process

The Unified Development Code requires a Specific Use Permit for certain land uses. Due to their location, functional or operational nature, these land uses could potentially negatively impact surrounding properties. The purpose of the Specific Use Permit process provides a procedure whereby such uses might be permitted by further restricting or conditioning them to eliminate such probable negative impacts.

You must apply online for a Specific Use Permit through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for Specific Use Permit

A permit for concrete, asphalt or any other type plant established for mixing materials for paving or building may be granted for a temporary period of time of six (6) months plus one six (6) month extension.

The Temporary Batch Plant Permit application is available through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for Temporary Batch Plant Permit

The City of Grand Prairie Engineering Department is responsible for the review and release for construction of all new construction and reconstruction projects within the city limits as well as within its ETJ. The Engineering Department also assists Developers and Engineers of Record in assuring that all public improvements for construction are designed to meet current city specifications.

Civil Engineering Plans Submittal Process

Development applications, also referred to as cases, require approval by city governing bodies – the Planning & Zoning Commission, City Council, and/or the Zoning Board of Adjustments. City staff will evaluate the submitted application to ensure that it conforms to the Comprehensive Plan, Unified Development Code, Design Guidelines and all other laws and regulations.

You must apply online for Planning and Zoning applications through the Grand Prairie Customer Self-Service.

• Concept Plans
• Site Plans
• Specific Use Permits
• Plats
• Variances
• Zoning Change

Development Application Requirements

A plat or plat map is a drawing or plan on which a subdivider's plan of a subdivision. The subdivider submits the plat for review and approval before recording in final form.

You must apply online for Plats through the Grand Prairie Customer Self-Service.

• Preliminary Plat
• Final Plat
• Amending Plat
• Minor Subdivision Plat
• Replat
• Residential Replat
• Plat Extension

Plat Application Requirements

An abandonment relinquishes the city’s interest in all or a portion of the previously dedicated public easement or street or alley right-of-way, thereby giving a property owner more usable area. A property owner may apply to abandon easements on his/her property or right-of-way/alley adjacent to his/her property. Abandonment does not assign ownership or affect other property rights in the abandoned property, but rather releases the city’s interest in the area.

Applicants seeking abandonment of a right-of-way or easement or must process a request with the Right-of-Way and Property Management Division.

You can apply online through the Grand Prairie Customer Self-Service.

Requirements for Right-of-Way - Easement Abandonment Application

Requirements for Right-of-Way - Alley Abandonment Application

An Easement is the right to use property for a specific purpose. Applicants seeking to license a portion of an easement or right-of-way for private use must process a request with the Right of Way and Property Management Division.

You can apply online through the Grand Prairie Customer Self-Service.

Requirements for Easement ROW License Application 

A Site Plan is a detailed development plan showing how a developer plans to improve a site. City staff reviews Site Plans to ensure that a project complies with the Unified Development Code.

You must apply online for a Site Plan or Site Plan Amendment through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for Site Plan Applications

All erosion controls shall be installed in accordance with the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) and Erosion Control Plans. Prior to any earth disturbing activities commencing on, the Stormwater Department or designee shall inspect Best Management Practices (BMPs).

You can submit Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for SWP3 Applications

Contractors must submit a Traffic Control Plan Application for review by the Transportation Department before beginning construction on the following:

• Capital Improvement Project
• Franchise Utility Project
• Private Development Project
• Public Works Project
• TxDOT Project

You can submit your Traffic Control Plan Application for review online through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for Traffic Control Plans

A variance is granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals or by the City Council in cases which are shown not to be contrary to the public interest if, owing to special conditions, where a literal enforcement of the provisions of an ordinance or regulation will result in an undue hardship.

You must apply online for variances through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Types of variances granted by the City Council:

• Unified signage plan
• Fence exception
• Parking exception
• Alcohol variance

Information on Applying for Variances Granted by City Council

Types of variances granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals:

• Commercial variances
• Residential variances

Information on Applying for Variances Granted by ZBA

The Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals is responsible for the requests of variances (commercial and residential) to the Unified Development Code (UDC) due to unusual circumstances, unique or restricted physical limitation or hardships where absolute adherence to the UDC might or would preclude any development whatsoever of a piece of property.

They also can consider expansions of non-conforming uses, amortization of non-conforming uses, appeals to administrative decisions of staff, and network nodes.

You must submit applications to the ZBA through the Customer Self-Service Portal.

Requirements for ZBA Applications