Rules and Reporting Forms for Residential Construction in Unincorporated Areas of Tarrant County

Staff > Assistant County Administrator (Governmental Affairs)

In 2009, the Texas Legislature abolished the Texas Residential Construction Commission, eliminating State enforcement of statewide building codes - including building codes outside cities' jurisdictions.

In its place, the Legislature approved a law that allows counties limited, permissive authority to enforce building codes in the unincorporated area. Tarrant County adopted these provisions on September 1, 2009.

Therefore, after September 1, 2009, in unincorporated areas of Tarrant County, all new residential structures and improvements to existing residential structures that increase the square footage or value by more than 50 percent shall be constructed to the International Building Code (IBC). If a city has adopted building codes in their extra-territorial jurisdiction then the municipal regulation applies there.

Tarrant County does not have inspection authority or responsibility and can not charge fees; instead the builder is required to:

notify the county of the location, approximate date of completion and version of IBC utilized for the new residential construction (see Notice of Residential Construction in Unincorporated Area form);
obtain three inspections during different phases of the construction; and
submit a notice of the inspections to the county and to the person for whom the new residence is being built, demonstrating compliance or non-compliance with the applicable building code, which is done by the inspectors (see Notice of Residential Construction Inspection Compliance in Unincorporated Area form).

Failure to obtain the inspections is a Class C misdemeanor and Tarrant County may also file for an injunction against a builder who does not file the required reports.

This new law does not give prior approval authority to the county for new residential construction, or authorize the adoption or enforcement of zoning regulations, and does not apply to manufactured, or modular housing constructed off-site and transported to a site. Penalties do not apply to a builder who intends to occupy the residence themselves as their primary residence.

The forms can be completed on-line. Once complete, you can print them out and mail to:

Mark Mendez
County Administrator's Office
100 E. Weatherford St. Room 404
Fort Worth, Texas, 76196

Or fax a copy to Mark Mendez at 817-884-1702.

Alternatively, you may save a copy of the completed forms to your computer and e-mail them as an attachment to mmendez@tarrantcounty.com.

Accessibility Notice: Due to the complexity of the first linked document above, that document is made up of scanned images. If you require assistance in accessing the information therein, please contact Mark Mendez at 817-884-2729.

Rules and Reporting Forms for Residential Construction in Unincorporated Areas of Tarrant County

Rules and Reporting Forms for Residential Construction in Unincorporated Areas of Tarrant County

TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS