Building Inspections

     

Effective 4/17/2023, the City of Rockwall has adopted the 2021 ICC Building and 2020 NEC Codes.  All building permit submittals must reflect these new adopted codes.  Our adopted codes and amendments  are available for download from the link below:

Adopted Codes and Ammendments

 

INSPECTION MOBILE APP
Download and install our mobile app to schedule inspections from your smartphone or tablet! Scan the QR Code or click the link above to install the app on your device.

 

 

SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION
Inspection requests must be received by 7:30am to be included on the day's schedule.

 

ONLINE PORTAL APPLICATIONS

Welcome to Rockwall’s CityWorks Public Portal where contractors and buisness owners/agents may apply for building permits, certificates of occupancy, short term rental permits and submit contractor registrations. Sign up OR Login

Here’s what you can do in the Portal:

  • Create Contractor Registration Applications for first-time and renewals
  • Create Building Permit Applications
  • Create Certificate of Occupancy Applications
  • Create Short-term Rental Applications
  • Pay Fees for Regisrations, Building Permits, CO & STR
    Applications and Takeline Lease Renewals
  • Download/Print permits and approved plans under Related Documents
  • View Review Comments from staff (Message Bubble)
  • View Inspection Results and Comments (Message Bubble)
  • View Status of Permit under headings
    Submitted/Incomplete/Finaled-Closed or Case Workflow

 

Troubleshooting for our Portal Users:

  • Use Chrome’s web browser for the portal site
  • Your User Name is your email address
  • Immediately following Sign Up, you will receive an email to activate your online account
  • If you continue to have issues, please contact our service team at (972) 771-7709 for assistance
  • Inspections are NOT scheduled in the portal, use the link below.
    Inspection Scheduling


DO YOU NEED A PERMIT FOR THAT PROJECT?
If you are considering remodeling your home or business, adding an arbor or fence to your yard or a new roof or retaining wall, be sure you or your contractor applies for a building permit from the City of Rockwall first.

 

Plumbing, mechanical or electrical work; irrigation systems, swimming pools or hot tubs; signs and banners; accessory buildings or demolitions; and driveways, patios, patio covers and decks also require building permits.

 

“Building codes are adopted and inspections completed to address safety issues and hopefully to avoid problems for our residents in the future,” Mr.Widmer, Building Official, noted.

 

Residential Projects that Require a Permit
Texas Department of Insurance Post Disaster Tips
Current Permit Information 

 

RECOGNITION FOR BUILDING
INSPECTIONS PERSONNEL

100% ICC Certified for SafetyProtecting the public’s health, safety and welfare is a building inspection department’s highest priority. The construction of safe buildings is achieved through the adoption and application of nationally recognized building codes. The International Code Council or ICC is a nationally recognized association which publishes the International Building Codes. The City of Rockwall has adopted these codes and our Building Inspections Personnel are charged with permitting and inspecting all construction activities within the City, in conformance to these standards. Along with these code standards, ICC has developed a certification program through which building inspection professionals can test and earn nationally recognized certifications.

 

Recognition is due to the Rockwall Building Inspection Department. The staff has earned many certifications through the International Code Council and because every staff member within the department has earned ICC certifications, the department has received an achievement recognition issued by ICC. The award recently received by the department recognizes our Building Inspection Department as 100% certified. Being awarded the 100% certified recognition acknowledges the professionalism of the entire department and reflects the high level of training, technical knowledge and competence of all members of our Building Inspection Staff.

 

DEPARTMENT CONTACTS

Jeffrey Widmer
Building Official
(972) 772-6453

Rusty McDowell
Supervisor
(972) 772-6748

Craig Foshee
Plans Examiner
(972) 772-6774


BUILDING INSPECTORS

Inspectors are in the office Monday - Friday
7:30am - 8:30am & 4:00pm - 4:30pm

Marcus McCloure
(972) 772-6472

Eduardo Rodriguez
(972) 772-6451

William Perry
(972) 772-6481


PERMIT TECHNICIANS

Tanya Buehler
(972) 771-7709

Carolyn Herbst
(972) 771-7709

 

ONLINE APPLICATION/SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST

Building Permit Application

Residential New Construction Checklist

Commercial New Construction Checklist

Commercial Finish-Out/Remodel Checklist

ISSUED PERMIT & CO REPORTS
Issued Building Permits
Issued Certificates of Occupancy

 

OTHER FORMS

Asbestos Survey Guidelines

Clean & Show Electrical Release

CO Fire Pre-Inspection Checklist
Backflow Test Report Instructions
Backflow Test Report Form
Permit Fee Schedule
BOA Procedures
Irrigation Inspection Form

Irrigation Final Inspection Checklist
Contract Registration’s Document Requirements
Foundation Inspection
Protection From Termites
Alarm Certification
Special Inspection Forms

 

SHORT-TERM RENTAL
PERMIT & REGISTRATION PROGRAM

The City Council adopted an ordinance effective April 1, 2024 that requires all Short-Term Rentals (STR) to be registered with the City of Rockwall.  STRs are defined as "a residential dwelling unit, apartment, condominium, or guest quarters/secondary living unit/accessory dwelling unit in which the entire structure or a portion thereof is offered for rent for a period exceeding 12-hours, but less than 30 consecutive days, to a particular occupant." STRs are prohibited in all of the City's Non-Residential zoning districts. In addition, Non-Owner-Occupied Short-Term Rentals will be prohibited from locating within 1,000-feet of another Non-Owner-Occupied Short-Term Rental as measured from property line to property line. For STRs that are located in an Apartment Complex or Condominium Building, the total number of STRs shall be limited to 5.00% of the total units within the Apartment Complex or Condominium Building. Please contact the Building Inspections Dept regarding STR permit applications; the Planning & Zoning Dept regarding Specific Use Permits; and the Utility Finance Dept regarding quarterly Hotel Occupancy Tax payments.


Short-Term Rental Permit & Registration Application Form
Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 24-10 with UDC Article 04 Permissible Uses
Liability Insurance Requirements
Hotel Occupancy Tax Information and Local HOT Quarterly Payment Remittance Form
Hotel Occupancy Tax Article IV Code of Ordinances Sec. 40-145 – Sec . 40-151
Short-Term Rentals Map
State Comptroller Hotel Occupancy Tax FAQs

 

CONSTRUCTION RESTRICTIONS
The City Council has approved an amendment to the city’s noise ordinance that forbids construction work on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The amendment is intended to allow residents a timeout from construction noise on the designated holidays. It applies only to contractors and not to homeowners.

 

Construction Hours
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Mon. - Fri.
8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sat.
No work on Sundays or Holidays