DrawPermit

Nueces County · Texas

Corpus Christi site plans and permits.

Corpus Christi wants a permit and a site plan for a shed or detached patio cover over 200 sq ft, anything attached to the house, a large or raised deck and a fence over 7 ft, and new accessory buildings also need windstorm paperwork from an engineer.

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Building code
2021 International Residential Code with Corpus Christi amendments, in effect since August 1, 2023.
Decks
A deck needs a permit if it's over 200 sq ft, more than 30 inches off the ground, attached to the house or serves the exit door. Plans must show anchoring, beams, footings, decking, stairs and guards.
Sheds
A detached shed of 200 sq ft or less is exempt. A bigger one needs a permit, an engineer's foundation report, and layout, foundation, frame and final inspections. A detached garage must be less than half the size of the house.
Fences
Fences up to 7 ft are exempt. A taller fence needs a permit, a site plan and a design by a Texas registered engineer.
Patio covers
Every attached patio cover needs a permit. A detached one needs a permit over 200 sq ft, with an engineer's foundation letter and a layout and setback inspection.
Carports
The city treats carports like patio covers: attached ones always need a permit, and detached ones over 200 sq ft do.
Pools
In-ground pools always need building and electrical permits and a site plan. An above-ground pool needs a permit over 5,000 gallons or 24 inches deep. The barrier must be at least 48 inches tall outside the pool.
Owner-drawn plans
The city doesn't say who must draw residential plans. A homeowner can get a permit for their own homestead, and signs the application as the builder.
Engineer
Shed foundations need an engineer's report, and patio cover and carport foundations need an engineer's letter. New accessory buildings need a sealed windstorm plan and the state's WPI-1 windstorm form. A fence over 7 ft must be engineer-designed.
Setbacks
Setbacks come from the city's Unified Development Code, which we couldn't read, so check your distances with the city. The site plan must show them, and sheds, patio covers and carports get a layout and setback inspection.
Fees
Residential permits are $0.461 per sq ft with a $146.41 minimum, plus plan review at $0.146 per sq ft and a 4.5% surcharge (FY2026 schedule). Floodplain review is $100.
Where to apply
Dynamic Portal (Corpus Christi Development Services)

What Corpus Christi asks the site plan to show.

  • An overview of the property
  • Existing structures
  • New structures
  • Setbacks
  • A survey can stand in if you have one

Your DrawPermit site plan draws the lot lines, north arrow, scale, structures, setbacks, distances to each line and impervious cover. Add utility lines, meters and trees by hand if your city asks for them.

Worth knowing.

  • The city won't issue a building permit on land that isn't platted.
  • Windstorm: file the state's WPI-1 form before you build. Most homes need a windstorm certificate to buy a TWIA policy.
  • In a floodplain, new construction needs its floor at least 1 ft above base flood elevation and an elevation certificate.
  • Beachfront lots may need a beachfront construction certificate.

Guides that cover Corpus Christi.

More Texas cities.

Checked against the city's own pages on November 4, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with Corpus Christi before you submit.