Commercial Building Permit (Remodel / Tenant Finish-Out / New Construction): Austin restaurant guide

Austin Development Services (Commercial Plan Review)

What it is

Approval of your construction drawings; reviewers cover building, fire, MEP, accessibility (TAS), energy, historic (45+ year-old buildings), and add Health and Austin Water Industrial Waste for restaurants.

When a restaurant needs it

Any construction beyond cosmetic work, and every change of occupancy.

How to apply

Create an AB+C account, then submit the Commercial Building Permit web form with full plan sets after site plan approval/exemption.

Documents you’ll need

Commercial building application
Architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans
Site plan approval or exemption
Accessibility (TAS) documentation
Energy compliance documentation

Fee

Varies — see DSD Commercial Building Plan Review & Permit fee schedule (FY 2026-27)

Processing time

Initial review cycles: about 5 business days on the Small Project track (interior remodels/tenant finish-outs under 10,000 sq ft, change of use allowed), 10 business days for remodels under 25,000 sq ft, 20 business days for larger projects; add time for corrections. Quick Turnaround (1 business day) is limited to office (Group B) and retail (Group M) occupancies, so restaurants don't qualify.

Renewal

Permit expires if work stalls — keep inspections active

Who files

Plans prepared/sealed by a Texas-registered architect or engineer where required; work performed by a City-registered general contractor (no state GC license exists in Texas).

Good to know

Austin enforces the 2024 IBC, IFC, Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code and IECC (effective July 10, 2025) and the 2026 NEC (effective Sept. 1, 2026). Revisions cannot add a change of use — that needs a new application.

Official source

DSD — Commercial Plan Review · DSD — adopted building technical codes

Get your personalized Austin permit plan

Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.

Build my free plan

Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.