In the City of Fort Worth, building codes and ordinances have been enacted and amended by City Council when necessary to ensure good, safe buildings.
Permits are the vehicles which the city uses to inspect all construction work as it progresses.
The property owner and the contractor are jointly responsible for obtaining the proper permits, although the action application can be delegated to the contractor. The city's Department of Development through its Building Division, is responsible for permitting all construction and conducting inspection of the work. Permits are required for work ranging from new construction, remodeling, repair and additions, to new roofs, swimming pools, retaining walls, lawn sprinklers and signs. Whether building a new facility or adding on, a request for a permit must be accompanied with a site plan that shows the proposed work and its location in relation to property lines and existing buildings. Plan diagrams and specifications assist in determining if the project conforms to building and zoning regulations.