Residential New Construction Permit

All new residential construction regardless of size, require an approved permit by the Building Inspections Division.

New residential construction must comply with codes: 2021 IBC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IF&G, 2021 IEC, 2021 IRC, 2023 NEC. With the recommended amendments of the North Texas Council of Governments (NTCOG).

Apply Online

Step 1.Review Requirements

The following is required prior to issuance of a New Residential Construction Permit:

  • Address and legal description of project
  • Owner, Contractor and/or Architect information
  • Square footage and area involved
  • Architecture Plans
  • Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing Plans
  • REScheck – Reference: www.energycodes.gov/rescheck
  • Engineer’s Foundation Letter and Plans (Signed and Sealed)
  • Erosion Control Plans (View Erosion Control Standard Details(PDF, 4MB))
  • Indicate location of brick ledge
  • Door & window sizes noted and schedules with location, U values and S.H.G.C.
  • Elevation plans with type of exterior wall treatment and brick calculations
  • Brick Selection including Company and Color
  • Hue or Shade of Shingles
  • Wall section of interior partitions.
  • Slab Location Letter (Slab Verification Form provided by Building Inspections(PDF, 68KB))
  • Engineer’s shear wall design (signed and sealed) or as prescribed by I.R.C. chapter 6.
  • Landscape Plans - indicating location, quantity, species, size of proposed trees, shrubs, and ground cover. 
  • Site Plan or Survey drawn to scale showing:
    1. Property lines with lot dimensions (width & length)
    2. All utility, maintenance and / or drainage easements.
    3. Building lines; front, rear and/or side
    4. Building dimensions
    5. Location of any proposed street curb construction.
    6. Location of 100 year Floodplain if applicable with minimum finished floor elevation.
    7. Location and size of existing or proposed sidewalks, driveway and approach.
    8. Location of all abutting street and/or alleys, with type of surface.
    9. Location of sidewalks and inlets

Step 2.Apply Online

You can apply online for a building permit through the City of Grand Prairie's Customer Self-Service portal. First time users will need a valid email address to set up an account. It takes about 5 minutes to create a new account.

Apply Online

What next?

After completing the online application, permits are processed in approximately 5-10 business days. Depending on updates needed from the applicant, as this can result in longer approval times.

Phone / In Person

You are welcome to call or visit in person for help submitting your online application.

Phone: 972-237-8230

Email: information@gptx.org

Location:
City Hall - Building Inspections Division
300 W. Main Street
Grand Prairie, Texas 75050

Business Hours:
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

Fees

Inspections

Inspections for new single-family construction

  • All inspections shall comply with the 2021 International Residential Code.
  • Inspection requests shall be the responsibility of the permit holder or their agent to notify the Building Inspections Division when work is ready for inspection and shall provide access to and means for inspection of work using the customer self-service portal
  • For efficiency, inspection types are grouped according to various stages of construction and shall be requested as part of the inspection requirements(PDF, 121KB).

Energy code inspections

The City of Grand Prairie requires 3rd-party inspection to show compliance of the 2021 IRC and IECC. (Ref. 2021, Section R109.2)

  • The 3rd-party agency must be approved and show proof of qualifications and/or certifications.
  • Proof of compliance of inspection(s) needs to be submitted via the approved method, such as Rescheck, Hers, Energy Star, etc.
  • Form(s) must be filled out and provided as part of the inspection requirements(PDF, 121KB) for the following inspections:
    • 3rd-party energy framing
    • Energy compliance insulation
    • 3rd-party energy final

Water meter installation

Water meter installations shall meet the requirements as set forth by Water Utilities in the water meter installation requirements(PDF, 31KB). Please call the new meter set line at 972-237-8380 for additional information.

Culvert installation

It is the responsibility of the owner and/or their contractor to follow the culvert installation requirements(PDF, 562KB). Please call the Engineering Division at 972-237-8141 for additional information.

Required documents

Special inspection(s) - documents

In addition to the required inspections, an engineer’s conformance letter and/or approved lab reports may be needed for (but not limited to) pier installation, concrete, fabricated items, steel construction and special cases. Any required documents can be submitted via the inspection type “Miscellaneous Other Docs” – please make note of the document provided.

Finalizing “new single family” project

All final documents, inspections and associated permits must be completed and approved prior to closing out permit. Associated permits may consist of (but may not be limited to) the following and shall be regulated according to the individual permit requirements:

  • Fence
  • Irrigation
  • Retaining wall

A Certificate of Completion may be provided upon request after all documents are received, all final inspections are approved, and associated permits are completed.

*Notes: A Certificate of Occupancy is not issued for single family homes (Ref. the City of Grand Prairie’s Unified Development Code, Article 13 Sec. 2). Additionally, the reference(s) provided is for informational purposes only and does not exclude any additional requirements as outlined in other local, state, and federal laws.