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Form a Business

PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, art. I, subch. C
in effect

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C01.1 WHEN REQUIRED.

C01.1 WHEN REQUIRED. (a) Except as provided for in § C01.2, no sign shall hereafter be constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, removed or demolished, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit for the work. (b) A separate permit shall be obtained for each sign or group of signs on any single supporting structure. No permit shall be issued except to a duly licensed and registered sign erector as provided in Chapter D of this code. (c) No permit shall be issued for a nonconforming sign, except as allowed by § 6.405 of the zoning ordinance or § 5.02.3 as a permitted alteration. When repairs of a nonconforming sign are not permitted pursuant to § 6.405 or § 5.02.3, the sign shall be subject to the provisions of § A04.5. (d) No permit shall be issued for the erection of new off-premises signs in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, which is prohibited under § 5.02.2; provided, however, subdivision directional signs, homebuilder signs and temporary public interest signs may be erected without a permit, in accordance with § 5.02.2.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C01.1.1 UNLAWFUL WIRING.

C01.1.1 UNLAWFUL WIRING. No permit shall be issued for installing, altering, extending or replacing any electrical wiring or equipment on any sign, if any unlawful electrical wiring or equipment exists on the sign, until a permit to correct such conditions is first obtained and all necessary corrections are made.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C01.2 EXEMPT WORK.

C01.2 EXEMPT WORK. A sign permit shall not be required for the following: (a) Complete removal of an attached on-premises sign when the removal is performed by the owner of the premises or the owner s agent (property manager). (A third party company hired to remove the sign does not constitute “the owner’s agent”); (b) Changing of non-electrical advertising copy or message on marquee signs and other signs specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy; (c) Maintenance work when limited to the painting (including the retracing of existing advertising copy), repair or replacement of nonstructural trim, and replacement of nonstructural minor parts; (d) Kiosk signs erected in accordance with § 6.414 of the comprehensive zoning ordinance; (e) Subdivision directional signs, homebuilder signs and temporary public interest signs erected in the extraterritorial jurisdiction in accordance with § 5.02.2; and (f) Those otherwise in conformance with the provisions of the comprehensive zoning ordinance and molded, chiseled, etched or otherwise indented into walls or structural members of buildings or structures.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C02.1.1 NON-ELECTRICAL SIGNS.

C02.1.1 NON-ELECTRICAL SIGNS. (a) No permit shall be issued for the erection of a non-electrical sign except to a duly licensed and registered sign erector as provided in Chapter D of this code. (b) Exceptions: An owner may install the following non-electrical signs on his or her own property without meeting the requirements of Chapter D, provided that: (1) The non-electrical signs are no more than seven feet to the highest point above grade when mounted in or upon the ground; (2) A non-electrical sign containing no more than a three-quarter-inch thick display panel may be mounted flat against a building provided any trim or portion of the sign does not project more than four inches from the building and provided, further, that the sign shall be no larger than 32 square feet; (3) Banners, when in compliance with both of the following limitations: a. Sixty square feet or less in size; and b. Twenty feet or less above grade, measured to the top of the banner. (4) Such signs meet the requirements for zoning and structural design.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C02.1.2 ELECTRICAL SIGNS.

C02.1.2. ELECTRICAL SIGNS. No permit shall be issued to any person or contractor to do or cause to be done any work on an electrical sign, except to a person or contractor as listed below: (a) A person holding valid a Fort Worth master sign license and registered, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter D of the electrical code; (b) A State of Texas electrical sign contractor that has a valid Fort Worth registration, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter D of the electrical code.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C03.1 APPLICATION.

C03.1 APPLICATION. (a) Any person legally entitled to apply for and receive a permit shall make application on forms provided for that purpose. Every such application shall: (1) Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made; (2) Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by address and by legal description, or similar description, that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed sign or work; (3) Contain the registration number if available; (4) Be accompanied by plans, diagrams, computations and specifications and other data as required in § C03.2; (5) Be signed by the applicant or an authorized agent of the applicant; and (6) Give such other data and information as may be required by the building official. (b) An application for a permit shall be considered as permission from an authorized representative to inspect the premises.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C03.2 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.

C03.2 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS. (a) Plans, specifications, engineering calculations, diagrams, soil investigation reports, special inspection and structural observation programs and other data shall constitute the submittal documents and shall be submitted in one or more sets with each application for a permit. The plans shall indicate all necessary information required, including but not limited to the following: (1) On a scale of not less than one inch equals 20 feet; (2) Show the egress and ingress, distance from curb to sign, and all buildings on the property; and (3) Show size and height of the sign and designate whether the sign is an electrical. (b) When such plans are not prepared by an architect or engineer, the building official may require the applicant submitting such plans or other data to demonstrate that state law does not require that the plans be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer. The building official may require plans, computations and specifications to be prepared and designed by an engineer or architect licensed by the state to practice as such even if not required by state law. (c) Exception: The building official may waive the submission of plans, calculations, construction inspection requirements and other data if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of plans is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code. (d) All plans, specifications and accompanying data involved with the practice of engineering or architecture shall comply with all state and local laws governing the practice of engineering or architecture.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C03.3 INFORMATION ON PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.

C03.3 INFORMATION ON PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS. Plans and specifications shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C03.4 EXPIRATION OF PLAN REVIEW.

C03.4 EXPIRATION OF PLAN REVIEW. (a) Applications for which no permit is issued within 90 days following the date of application shall expire by limitation, and plans and other data submitted for review may thereafter be returned to the applicant or destroyed by the building official. (b) The building official may extend the time for action by the applicant for a period not exceeding 90 days on request by the applicant showing that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented action from being taken. No application shall be extended more than once. In order to renew action on an application after expiration, the applicant shall resubmit plans and pay a new application fee. (c) Exception: Applications for temporary signs shall expire within 60 days and may be extended for a period not to exceed 60 days.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C04.1 ISSUANCE.

C04.1 ISSUANCE. (a) The application, plans, specifications, computations and other data filed by an applicant for a permit shall be reviewed by the building official. Such plans may be reviewed by other departments of this jurisdiction to verify compliance with any applicable laws under their jurisdiction. If the building official finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this code and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified in § C05 have been paid, the building official shall issue a permit therefor to the applicant. (b) When the building official issues the permit where plans are required, the building official shall endorse in writing or stamp the plans and specifications approved. Such approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified or altered without authorization from the building official, and all work regulated by this code shall be done in accordance with the approved plans. (c) The building official may issue a permit for the construction of a portion of a sign before the entire plans and specifications for the complete sign or sign structure have been submitted or approved, provided adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with all pertinent requirements of this code. The holder of a partial permit shall proceed without assurance that the permit for the entire sign or sign structure will be granted.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C04.2 WITHHOLDING OF PERMITS.

C04.2 WITHHOLDING OF PERMITS. (a) The building official is authorized to withhold permits to any person for the reasons set forth herein upon written notice to such person. The determination of the building official may be appealed to the board as provided in § B03. (b) The building official is authorized to withhold the issuance of sign permits to: (1) Any person until such time as the sign for which a permit was previously issued has been completed or is being performed in an efficient manner in a reasonable length of time; (2) Any person who is delinquent in the payment of fees owed the City of Fort Worth; and (3) Any person who has performed previous jobs which remain in violation of this code.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C04.3 VALIDITY.

C04.3 VALIDITY. (a) The issuance of a permit or approval of construction documents shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this code or of other ordinance of the jurisdiction. No permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code shall be valid. (b) The issuance of a permit based upon construction documents and other data shall not prevent the building official from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in said construction documents and other data or from preventing sign operations being carried on thereunder when in violation of this code or of other ordinances of this jurisdiction.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C04.4 EXPIRATION.

C04.4 EXPIRATION. (a) Every permit issued by the building official under the provisions of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 90 days from the date of such permit, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 120 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained and the fee therefor shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original construction documents for such work, and provided further that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. In order to renew action on a permit after expiration, the permittee shall pay a new full permit fee. (b) If work does not commence within 90 days of the date of such renewal permit, or if work is suspended for a period of 90 days, the renewal permit shall become null and void and a new permit must be obtained.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C04.4.1 TEMPORARY SIGNS.

C04.4.1 TEMPORARY SIGNS. Every permit issued for a temporary sign or banner shall expire 30 days from the date of issuance and such sign shall be removed immediately by the permittee. All permits for temporary signs shall also be limited to the time constraints as specified in § 3.02.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C04.5 EXTENSIONS.

C04.5 EXTENSIONS. Any permittee holding an unexpired permit, for other than temporary signs, shall have the right to apply for an extension of the time within which the permittee will commence work under that permit when work is unable to be commenced within the time required by this section for good and satisfactory reasons. The building official shall extend the time for action by the permittee for a period not exceeding 90 days if there is reasonable cause. No permit shall be extended more than once.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C04.6 SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF PERMIT.

C04.6 SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF PERMIT. The building official may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code whenever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this code.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C04.7 ADMINISTRATIVE HOLD.

C04.7 ADMINISTRATIVE HOLD. Any administrative discrepancy including but not limited to, delinquency in payments, returned checks, failure to pay for reinspection, investigation or registration fees, and failure to keep registration, insurance or bond up-to-date, may result in a hold being placed on issuance of permits and performance of inspections of existing permits until the administrative discrepancy is corrected. For the purpose of this section, the term “up-to-date” shall mean that whenever any of these items is required by this or any other code to obtain a permit covered by this code, it shall be maintained current and in effect until the permit is finaled.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C04.8 RETENTION OF PLANS.

C04.8 RETENTION OF PLANS. One set of approved plans, specifications and computations shall be retained by the building official for a period of not less than 90 days from date of completion of the work covered therein. One set of approved construction documents shall be returned to the applicant, and said set shall be kept on the site of the sign or work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C04.9 JOB ABANDONMENT.

C04.9 JOB ABANDONMENT. If, after a permit is issued under the provisions hereof, the applicant abandons the job, becomes incapacitated or his or her services are terminated prior to final inspection and approval thereof by the building official and before the permit has expired, the applicant or his or her lawful/legal representative shall immediately notify the office of the building official in writing. Upon such notification, the building official shall immediately have an inspection made of the work completed to that time, and may revoke the outstanding permit and require that a new permit with the payment of fees be obtained before the work is allowed to resume.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C05.1 GENERAL.

C05.1 GENERAL. Fees shall be assessed in accordance with the provisions of this section or shall be as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by this jurisdiction.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C05.2 PERMIT FEES.

C05.2 PERMIT FEES. (a) The fee for each permit shall be as set forth in Table 1-K in the Administrative Code. (b) Any person obtaining a permit application required by this code shall, at the time of filing, pay a permit and a non-refundable application fee as required by this section for the installation, relocation or replacement of any of the listed items. (c) Exceptions: (1) Sign and sign structures owned and occupied by a federal, state, or county entity on property owned by the federal, state or county entity shall be exempt from the permit fees. This exception does not apply to public school districts or county community colleges; (2) Work by non-city personnel on property under the control of the City of Fort Worth shall be exempt from the permit fees only if the work is for action under a contract approved by city council with notes in the contract packages stating the fee is waived; and (3) When permitted by this code, work by city personnel on property under the control of the City of Fort Worth shall be exempt from the permit fees only if the application is accompanied by a copy of the work order for the project. (d) Exemption or reduction of the permit fees under this section shall not waive the requirements to pay a full investigation fee for doing work without a permit as required under § C05.3.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C05.3.1 INVESTIGATION.

C05.3.1 INVESTIGATION. (a) Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work. (b) Exceptions. (1) This provision shall not apply to emergency work when it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the building official that such work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a permit therefore before the commencement of the work. In all cases, a permit must be obtained as soon as it is practical to do so, and if there be an unreasonable delay in obtaining such permit, an investigation fee as herein provided shall be charged. (2) The investigation fee required shall be charged for work for which an inspection has been requested and no permit has been obtained.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C05.3.2 FEE.

C05.3.2 FEE. (a) An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required by this code. The minimum investigation fee shall be the same as the application fee set forth in Table 1-K of the Administrative Code. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law. (b) The applicant may appeal the amount of an investigation fee to the city council by filing a written appeal showing the reason why the fee should be lowered. The city council may, upon a finding that the investigation fee is unreasonable based upon the facts presented, reduce the investigation fee, but in no case may the fee be reduced to less than the actual investigation costs incurred by the city.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C05.4 CHANGE OF RECORD.

C05.4 CHANGE OF RECORD. (a) Any request for a record change, or any mistake made by an applicant that requires a record change, including but not limited to name or address changes, whether computer or paper record, must be requested in writing by the original applicant with a fee as specified in Table 5.01. (b) Exceptions. (1) For record changes that affect the permit fee, such as adding equipment, fixtures, height or square footage, the code official may require a separate permit for the extra items with the appropriate fees. (2) The fee will not be required for those applicants meeting exceptions in § C05.2.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C05.5 FEE REFUNDS.

C05.5 FEE REFUNDS. (a) The director of planning and development or his or her designee may authorize the refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected. Where work for which a permit has been issued does not commence, and a request is made for a cancellation of such permit within a 60-day time limit, the permit fee may be returned, upon request, minus an administration charge of $5. After the 60-day time limit, no fee shall be returned. (b) Exceptions: (1) When the investigation fee of § C05.3 has been collected, it shall not be refunded unless paid by another party. (2) No refund will be given for the application fee.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.1 GENERAL.

C06.1 GENERAL. All work for which a permit is required by this code, except for banners, shall be inspected by the building official. No portion of any sign, sign structure or electrical system shall be concealed until inspected and approved. Neither the building official nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of material required to permit inspection. The holder of the permit shall be responsible for the scheduling of such inspections. Electrical systems regulated by this code shall not be connected to energy supply until authorized by the building official.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.1.1

C06.1.1. Under ground inspection shall be made after trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded, piping installed, and before any backfill is put in place. When excavated soil contains rocks, broken concrete, frozen chunks and other rubble that would damage or break the piping or cause corrosive action, clean backfill shall be on the job site.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.1.3

C06.1.3. Final inspection shall be made after the sign is complete, all electrical systems are in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready for use.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.1.4

C06.1.4. (a) A survey of the lot may be required by the building official to verify that the structure is located in accordance with the approved plans. (b) Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of this jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.2 OTHER INSPECTIONS.

C06.2 OTHER INSPECTIONS. In addition to the called inspections specified above, the building official may make or require other inspections of any work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws which are enforced.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.3 TESTING.

C06.3 TESTING. Electrical systems shall be tested when required by the building official. Tests shall be made by the permit holder and observed by the building official.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.3.1

C06.3.1. New, altered, extended or repaired systems. New electrical systems and parts of existing systems, which have been altered, extended or repaired, shall be tested when required by the building official.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.3.2 EQUIPMENT, MATERIAL AND LABOR FOR TESTS.

C06.3.2 EQUIPMENT, MATERIAL AND LABOR FOR TESTS. All equipment, material and labor required for testing an electrical system or part thereof shall be furnished by the permit holder.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.3.3 REINSPECTION AND TESTING.

C06.3.3 REINSPECTION AND TESTING. Where any work or installation does not pass any initial test or inspection, the necessary corrections shall be made to comply with this code. The work or installation shall then be resubmitted to the building official for inspection and testing.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.4 INSPECTION REQUESTS.

C06.4 INSPECTION REQUESTS. (a) It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the building official that such work is ready for inspection. The building official may require that every request for inspection be filed at least one working day before such inspection is desired. Such request may be in writing or by telephone, at the option of the building official. (b) The person doing the work authorized by the permit shall make sure that the work will stand tests prescribed elsewhere in this code, before giving the above notification. (c) It shall be the duty of the person requesting inspections required by this code to provide access to and means for proper inspection of such work. When the work is within a residence where access is dependent upon the occupant being home, it shall be the duty of the person doing the work to make arrangements for inspections. Failure to make arrangements within a timely manner or the inability for the inspector to do the inspections at the arranged times will result in reinspection fees being assessed to the person doing the work. (d) Exception: If the reinspection fee was for a “Final Inspection” for a residence where access is dependent upon the occupant, after the fee has been paid by the person doing the work additional arrangements for the final inspection and penalties for not receiving such inspection shall fall on the occupant. (e) This shall not relieve the person doing the work from having to correct improper work and such accompanying penalties should the work fail reinspection.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.4.1 APPROVAL REQUIRED.

C06.4.1 APPROVAL REQUIRED. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the building official. The building official, upon notification, shall make the requested inspections and shall either indicate that portion of the construction is satisfactory as completed, or shall notify the permit holder or an agent of the permit holder wherein the same fails to comply with this code. Any portions that do not comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the building official. There shall be a final inspection and approval of all signs and sign structures when completed and ready for use.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.4.2 COVERED WORK.

C06.4.2 COVERED WORK. Any work covered or concealed without inspection shall be considered to constitute an unsafe structure and subject to the corrective provisions of § A04.5. Such consideration as an unsafe structure shall exist every day until the work is inspected and approved as being in compliance with this code. Inspections will not be performed until a valid active permit is obtained in accordance with this code.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C06.6 REINSPECTIONS.

C06.6 REINSPECTIONS. (a) A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made. (b) This section is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection. (c) Reinspection fees may be assessed when the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building official. (d) To obtain a reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished for that purpose and pay the reinspection fee in accordance with Table C05.2 or as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the jurisdiction. (e) In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C07.1 ENERGY CONNECTIONS.

C07.1 ENERGY CONNECTIONS. No person shall make connections from a source of energy or fuel to any electrical system or equipment regulated by this code and for which a permit is required until approved by the building official.

Fort Worth City Code ch. 29, § C07.2 TEMPORARY CONNECTIONS.

C07.2 TEMPORARY CONNECTIONS. The building official shall have the authority to authorize the temporary connection of the system to the utility source for the purpose of testing electrical systems. *Chapter D is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:
Source: City of Fort Worth, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Zoning Ordinance (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ftworth/latest/ftworth_tx/0-0-0-27578Fetched: 10/26/2026

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