Why You Should Check Your Property's Permit Status Today

If you're a homeowner in Austin, there's a good chance your property has some permit history (and some potential unfinished business with the City) that could cause headaches down the road. Whether you're planning to sell soon or staying put for years to come, understanding your property's permit status is just a good idea, so you are never surprised.

During the 1980s and 90s, it was common practice for homeowners to undertake significant home improvements without obtaining proper permits. Even when permits were pulled, many homeowners chose to leave them open because closing a permit often triggered Travis County's appraisal district to reassess the property, potentially increasing property taxes. At the time, this seemed like a clever workaround, but it has created lasting complications for today's property transactions.

Over the last several decades, Austin's permitting process has evolved significantly. What once required multiple trips to city officesy lol bbs loom can now largely be v rdfrgb her c b cf Ng hadshandled online. More importantly, today's home buyers are increasingly savvy about researching properties before purchase.

In our digital age, prospective buyers routinely search the city's permit database to verify that there are no outstanding permit issues. Those lingering permits from decades past—when record-keeping was less precise and not digitized, and processes were more informal—now represent potential red flags that can complicate or even derail home sales.

Why This Matters for Every Homeowner

Any permits showing as "expired," "void," or "open" in the city's system can create issues when selling your home. Buyers may request that these permits be resolved before closing, or they might walk away from the deal entirely if the situation appears too complicated.

Even if you have no immediate plans to sell, addressing permit issues now is always preferable to scrambling to resolve them during a rushed sale process. Even if you think you will never sell, obtaining a permit for a new HVAC or water heater could be impacted by a previous, lingering permit.

How to Check Your Property's Permit Status

You can search for permits on your property using the City of Austin's online permit database: https://www.austintexas.gov/abc-applications

Look for any permits that show as expired, void, or open, as these are the ones that could potentially cause problems.

Resolving Permit Issues: Your Options

If you discover problematic permits on your property, you have several paths forward:

Option 1: Online Submission 

Visit https://www.austintexas.gov/page/service-center-and-trade-permits and follow these steps:

1. Select "Modify an existing permit," then click Next

2. Select "Reactivate/Withdraw/Extend"

3. Complete the required documentation

4. Upload the file and enter your permit number(s)

5. Enter your information, include explanatory notes, and submit

Option 2: Direct Contact with City Staff 

The City has a live chat option during normal business hours or you can reach them at 512-974-2000.

You can also schedule an in-person appointment at the City of Austin Permitting and Development Center.

Option 3: Professional Assistance 

Consider hiring a permit expeditor. While costs vary, recent quotes for closing simple permits have been around $250. This option can be particularly valuable if you're dealing with complex or multiple permit issues. We’d be happy to share some of the contacts we’ve used in the past, so just reach out!

The Bottom Line

Taking proactive steps to understand and resolve your property's permit status is an investment in your peace of mind and your home's marketability. The few hours you spend researching and potentially resolving these issues today could save you weeks of stress and thousands of dollars in complications later.

Remember, addressing permit issues when you're not under pressure is always easier than trying to resolve them in the middle of a real estate transaction. Your future self (and any potential buyers!) will thank you for taking care of this now!

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We are delighted to be your guides to Austin and Austin real estate!

Cheers,

Jen & the team

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