FAQs • Grapevine, TX • CivicEngage

Are residential foundations required to be prepared by a Registered Engineer?: Yes. Due to the extremely expansive soils in this area, foundations (new and addition) must be designed by a State of Texas Registered Professional Engineer. The only exception is for residential additions of 400 square feet or less where it can be verified that the original foundation was not engineered. In these rare cases, a standard foundation detail (provided by the City), or equivalent may be used.
Foundation requirements
Building Permit application
Building Inspections 817.410.3165

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Building & Planning Services

1. What is my property zoned?: You can contact the Planning Services Department at 817.410.3155 with the legal description of your property or view our GIS map online. Additional details here: https://grapevinegis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=00580195730542d486d4a5fe6ad79f2e

2. What uses does the zoning allow on my property?: After determining the zoning of your property, the zoning regulations can be found online or you can contact the Planning Services Department at 817.410.3155. http://www.grapevinetexas.gov/154/Zoning-Ordinance

3. What is a definition of high grass and weeds?

Commercially zoned property - It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association of persons, owner, agent, occupant, or anyone having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved, within the corporate limits of the city, to suffer or permit grass, weeds, or any plant that is not cultivated to grow in, along, upon or across the sidewalk in the area between the property line and the curbline, or within the area ten feet beyond the property line to a height greater than 12 inches on an average.

Residentially zoned property - It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association of person, owner, agent, occupant, or anyone having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied, located within any residentially zoned district within the corporate limits of the city, which as been developed, and all properties contiguous to and/or within 100 feet of such developed properties within the corporate limits of the city, to suffer or permit grass, weeds, or any plant that is not cultivated to grow in, along, upon or across the sidewalk in the area between the property line and the curbline, or within the area ten feet beyond the property line to a height greater than six inches on an average. Code Enforcement 817-410-3159 or 817-410-3124.

Chapter 12, Health and Sanitation
Section 12-111, Weeds, trash, brush and other unsi

4. What is the definition of a junk vehicle?

Sec. 12-124. Procedure for abating and removing nuisance.
(a) Private property: A junked vehicle as defined herein, or a part thereof, found on private property shall be and hereby is declared a public nuisance. Notice of not less than ten days, mailed by certified mail or registered mail with a five day return requested, shall be given to the last known registered owner of the junked motor vehicle, any lien holder of record and the owner or occupant of the private premises whereupon such public nuisance exists, stating the nature of the public nuisance on private property and that such public nuisance must be removed and abated within ten days, and further that a request for a hearing upon such removal and statement must be made before the expiration of said ten day period. If the post office address of the last known registered owner of the motor vehicle is unknown, notice may be placed on the motor vehicle, or, if the last known registered owner is physically located, the notice may be hand delivered. If the notice is returned undelivered by the United States Post Office, official action by the city to abate said nuisance shall be continued to a date not less than ten days from the date of such return.

(b) Public property and public right-of-way: A junked vehicle as defined herein, or a part thereof, found on public property or on a public right-of-way shall be and hereby is deemed a public nuisance. Notice of not less than ten days, mailed by certified or registered mail with a five day return requested, shall be given to the last known registered owner of the junked motor vehicle, any lien holder of record and the owner or occupant of the premises adjacent to the public property or the public right-of-way whereupon such public nuisance exists. Such notice shall state the nature of the public nuisance on the public property or public right-of-way and that it must be removed and abated within ten days, and further that a request for a hearing upon such removal and abatement must be made before the expiration of said ten days period. If the notice is returned undelivered by the United States Post Office, official action to abate said nuisance shall be continued to a date not less than ten days from the date of such return. Code Enforcement 817-410-3159 or 817-410-3124

Chapter 12, Health and Sanitation

Section 12-124, Procedure for abating and removing

5. Where can I park my boat / rv / trailer?: Boats, recreational vehicles and trailers are regulated by our residential zoning ordinances and are allowed to be parked in a driveway only with an approved permit from the Building Inspection Department when side and back yards parking is not feasible. Building Inspections 817-410-3165.
Boat/RV/Trailer Permit Application

6. Can I place "House For Sale" signs on property other than my own?: No, the City of Grapevine does not allow off-premise signage.

7. What codes does the City enforce?

2006 International Building Code, 2006 International Residential Code (Residential energy provisions are adopted by the State of Texas; City verifies compliance from third party State licensed inspector hired by the owner), 2006 International Mechanical Code, 2006 International Plumbing Code, 2006 International Fuel Gas Code, 2006 International Fire Code, Current Energy Code as adopted by the State of Texas (City verifies compliance from third party State licensed inspector hired by the owner), 2005 NEC, Texas Accessibility Standards (Adopted by the State; City verifies compliance from third party State licensed inspector hired by the owner).

The Building Department also has amendments to these codes. These are available on our website, or may be picked up at the Building Department 817-410-3165.

Additionally, the Building Department enforces the provisions contained in the City of Grapevine Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, and the City of Grapevine Code of Ordinances.

Building Inspections 817-410-3165
or

Chapter 7 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

8. Is a permit required for a water heater replacement?: Yes, Water heaters are covered under the Plumbing and/or Fuel Gas Code, and State Law. It is illegal for anyone, even a homowner, to replace a water heater without a permit. Every year, people are killed or injured due to improperly installed water heaters. Building Inspections 817-410-3165 Water Heater Requirements/Application

9. Is a permit required for a storage building?: Yes, there is no charge for storage buildings not exceeding 120 square feet in area, but all storage buildings require permits. Submittal requirements and fee schedules are available online, or may be picked up at the Building Department 817-410-3165.
Building Inspections

10. Is a permit required for sidewalks, driveways, retaining walls and non-covered patios?

Permits are not required for driveways entirely on private property that do not tie into the curb/street. Permits are not required for sidewalks entirely on private property. Public sidewalks, and sidewalks in the right of way must be permitted. Permits are not required for retaining walls not over four feet in height, unless the retaining wall is close enough to a structure that it is carrying foundation loads. Retaining walls over four feet in height require permits, and plans must be prepared by a State of Texas registered Professional Engineer. No permit is required for patio slabs unless the slab is carrying roof loads. Building Inspections 817-410-3165.

Patio Information

Sidewalks and Drive Approaches Application
Building Inspections

11. Does the City enforce ADA and / or State of Texas handicapped accessibility requirements?

State law regulates handicapped accessibility. All work falling under the scope of the Texas Accessibility Standards must be reviewed/inspected by a State licensed accessibility contractor. It is the owner/architect/project manager’s responsibility to secure the services of the State licensed contractor. The City will require verification to be submitted, showing compliance with State law. As a courtesy, the City can provide a list of inspectors who perform this service.
Mailing Address: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. BOX 12157, Austin, Texas 78711
Telephone: 512.463.6599 | Toll-Free (in Texas) 800.803.9202 | Fax 512.475.2871
Relay Texas-TDD 800.735.2989

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

12. Does the City perform energy code inspections?

Energy codes are adopted by the State of Texas. It is the responsibility of the owner/architect/project manager to secure the services of a State licensed energy code inspector to review/inspect for energy code compliance. The City will require verification of compliance with State law to be submitted. As a courtesy, the City can provide a list of inspectors who perform this service.

Mailing Address: State Energy Conservation Office, 111 East 17th Street, #1114, Austin, Texas 78701 Telephone: 512-463-1931 FAX: 512-475-2569

State Energy Conservation Office

13. What is the turn around time for building permits?

While the answer to this question is based on the current workload, the complexity and the type of permit, the following are goals that the Building Department has for turn around time:

TYPE OF PERMIT TURN AROUND TIME
Simple trade permit
(water heater, air conditioner change out, electrical repairs, etc) Same day
Residential storage buildings and fences 1 working day
New single family residential, residential additions and remodels, signs 3 working days
Commercial alterations 10 working days
New commercial buildings 15 working days

Building Inspections 817.410.3165

14. Are residential foundations required to be prepared by a Registered Engineer?: Yes. Due to the extremely expansive soils in this area, foundations (new and addition) must be designed by a State of Texas Registered Professional Engineer. The only exception is for residential additions of 400 square feet or less where it can be verified that the original foundation was not engineered. In these rare cases, a standard foundation detail (provided by the City), or equivalent may be used.
Foundation requirements
Building Permit application
Building Inspections 817.410.3165

15. What work is exempt from permits?

Generally speaking, the following work is exempt from permits.

Building:
1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.15m2) require permits, but are exempt from permit fees.

2. Oil derricks.

3. Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.

4. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.

5. Sidewalks and driveway not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade and not over any basement or story below and which are not part of an accessible route.

6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.

7. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.

8. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy, as applicable in Section 101.2, which are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and are installed entirely above ground.

9. Swings and other playground equipment.

10. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support of Group R-3, as applicable in Section 101.2, and Group U occupancies.

11. Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753mm) in height.

ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Sec. 7-1. Building code--Adopted.

Electrical:
Repairs and maintenance: A permit shall not be required for minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of the approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

Gas:
1. Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.

2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

3. Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

Mechanical:
1. Portable heating appliance.

2. Portable ventilation appliances.

3. Portable cooling unit.

4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.

5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

6. Portable evaporative cooler.

7. Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.

8. Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

However, if you have any questions at all as to whether your project requires a permit, please do not hesitate to contact the Building Department 817.410.3165.

Building Inspections

16. Can I run a business from my home?

The City of Grapevine allows home businesses on a very limited basis. The ordinance defines customary home occupation as:

CUSTOMARY HOME OCCUPATION shall mean an occupation customarily carried on in the home by a member of the occupant's family provided that:

(a)The home occupation shall be clearly secondary to the residential use of the dwelling and there may be no evidence of the home occupation visible to the neighborhood.
(b) There shall be no structural alteration to the premises/building or any of its rooms, which changes the residential character of the dwelling.
(c) There shall be no installation of machinery or additional equipment other than customary to household operations.
(d) No person other than a member of the family of the owner or the resident of the dwelling shall be employed or work in such home occupation and such employees must also be occupants of the residence.
(e) A home occupation may not create noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference which is detectable off of the premises, and may not cause visual or audible interference in radio or television receivers or fluctuations in line voltage off of the premises.
(f) A home occupation must be carried on wholly within the principal dwelling, and not in an accessory building.
(g) No signs or displays advertising the home occupation may be placed on the property where the home occupation is conducted.
(h) Any activity conducted on the premises shall be of such a nature as to not appreciably increase the vehicular traffic or pedestrian activity in the neighborhood, and shall not encourage queues, browsing of displays, or any similar activity.
(i) Outside storage of merchandise or equipment is prohibited.
(j) Parking for the home occupation must be provided on a paved surface off of the street and not in a required front yard.
(k) A customary home occupation shall not include the physical or medical treatment of persons or animals, retail sales, business services, barbershops, beauty shops, dance studios, carpenter shops, electrical shops, plumber shops, radio shops, auto repairing or painting, furniture repairing, or sign painting.
(l) Sales of motor vehicles shall be limited to a maximum of two vehicles per calendar year.

http://www.grapevinetexas.gov/154/Zoning-Ordinance 817.410.3155

17. Can I sell items by the roadside?: No, a temporary use permit for outside sales and display can only be issued to a business owner with a currently approved certificate of occupancy. Contact Planning Services at 817.410.3155.

18. Do I need a permit for a tent?: Yes, a building permit is required. Two copies of a site plan showing the location of the tent and a flame retardant certificate are required. Building Inspections 817.410.3165. Depending on your use, a temporary use permit may also be required. New Submission (mccicloud.io) Planning and Zoning 817.410.3155.

19. Can I have urban chickens?

Yes, however you must adhere to the guidelines in the Code of Ordinance.

Chapter 6 Animals and Fowl

Sec. 6-1 Definitions - Fowl: A bird of the order Galiformes, which can be used as food. This term includes but is not limited to the common domesticated chicken, duck, geese, turkey, quail, dove, and pheasant.

Sec. 6-2. - Livestock and fowl.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor any fowl within the city in any pen, shed, coop or enclosure, if any part of such enclosure or structure is within 50 feet of any residence, business or commercial establishment or office (other than the owner's), school, hospital or nursing home.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any owner of any animal to maintain yards, pens, kennels, stables, sheds, coops or other enclosures in which such animals are confined in such a manner as to emit odors offensive to any person's ordinary sensibilities residing in the vicinity, or to breed or attract flies, mosquitoes or other noxious insects or rodents, or in any manner to endanger the public health, safety or welfare, or to create a public nuisance.

20. Can I remove a tree?

Tree removal is not permitted without consultation with Planning Services staff.

Tree Preservation Ordinance

The Tree Preservation Ordinance regulates the protection of trees and vegetation cover within the City of Grapevine, to encourage the protection of healthy trees and vegetation and to provide for the replacement and replanting of trees that are illegally removed from a developed or undeveloped property or are necessarily removed during construction, development, or redevelopment.

Grapevine’s Tree Preservation Ordinance is Section 52, Tree Preservation of the Zoning Ordinance.

Permit Information

Tree Preservation Application

Tree Removal Application

Tree Removal without Permit

For trees removed from a property without a permit, the repayment amount for a replacement tree is calculated based on a schedule published annually by the City, which sets forth the average cost of a quality tree added to the average cost of planting a tree. The replacement cost per caliber inch for 2023 is $320.41 per caliper inch.* This fee was determined for the average cost of a 3-inch caliper native shade tree and tree planting costs.

No certificates of occupancy will be issued for a site until the required payment has been made to the Tree Reforestation Fund if work has proceeded without permit approval.

*This fee will be recalculated annually.

Tree Diseases and Problems

You can contact Planning Services Department for a consultation at 817.410.3155.