Permits
Please contact City Hall at 903-965-7744 or email the City Secretary at citysecretary@cityofbells.org if you have any questions concerning permits.
Garage Sale & Solicitor Permits
Garage Sales
Garage Sales
Garage Sales
No more than three (3) garage sales shall be allowed for the same location in a twelve (12) month period. The duration of the garage sale shall not exceed three (3) consecutive days per City Ordinance 2011-106. There are No Fees for this permit.
Solicitors
Garage Sales
Garage Sales
Each application for a permit under this ordinance shall be accompanied by a bond in the penal sum of $1,000.00, signed by the applicant as principal and by some surety company authorized to do business in the State of Texas as surety, conditioned for the final delivery of all goods, wares, merchandise, services, photographs, magazines or other property, in accordance with the terms of any order obtained from the citizens of the city and also conditioned to indemnify any and all purchasers or customers from any and all defects in material or workmanship that may exist in the article sold by the principal of such bond. Such bond shall not be transferable.
Building Permit Information
When is a Building Permit Required?
A person, firm or corporation shall not erect, construct, enlarge, add to, alter, repair, replace, improve, remove, install, convert, equip, use, occupy or maintain a structure or building service equipment without first obtaining a permit from City Hall.
A TxDOT approval must be submitted to the City before any permit will be approved.
The City of Bells adopted the 2021 International Codes, and the 2023 National Electric Codes.
Residential: Mechanical . Electrical . Plumbing
Mechanical Upgrades/Repairs
When is a permit needed? A permit is required when an air conditioner or furnace is replaced.
What is needed to obtain a permit? A plan review is not required, but a permit fee is due upon permit issuance.
Submittal documents: Fill out a residential permit application.
Electrical Upgrades/Repairs
When is a permit needed? A permit is required for all service upgrades or circuit replacements.
What is needed to obtain a permit? A plan review is not required, but a permit fee is due upon permit issuance.
Submittal documents: Fill out a residential permit application.
Plumbing Upgrades/Repairs
When is a permit needed? A permit is required when a gas line is added, replaced or repaired, installing gas logs inside your fireplace, replacing a gas or electric water heater, adding a water softener to your home or sprinkler system.
What is needed to obtain a permit? A plan review is not required, but a permit fee is due upon permit issuance.
Submittal documents: Fill out a residential permit application.
Sprinkler Permits: An approved backflow device must be installed with each sprinkler system.
All Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing work described above requires
an inspection and Contractor Registration.
Residential Accessory Building Requirements
What is an Accessory Structure?
An Accessory building or use is one which:
(a) is subordinate to and serves a principal building or principal use served; and
(b) contributes to the comfort, convenience and necessity of occupants of the principal building or principal use served; and
(c) is located on the same building lot as the principal use served.
When is a permit needed?
A permit and plan review is required for all Accessory Buildings that exceeds 200 sq. ft floor space.
Contact Information
Permit Submittal
The permit documents and fees will be submitted to the city. Submittal documents should be complete to expedite plan review and permit issuance.
Plan Review
Bureau Veritas will conduct residential and commercial plan reviews. Bureau Veritas will contact the applicant directly if additional information and/or documents are required and to discuss any noncompliance or deviation from City zoning and adopted Code requirements. You may contact City Hall or Bureau Veritas’ Plano Plan review Department to check on the status of your permit. City Hall: 903-965-7744 or Bureau Veritas Plan Review: 800-906-7199.
Inspection Request
Please contact Bureau Verias to request inspection(s). Any of our permit technicians can assist you. Inspection requests can also be faxed to the Bureau Veritas office.
Inspection Request line: 817-335-8111 Toll Free line: 877-837-8775
Inspection FAX line: 817-335-8110 Toll Free line: 877-837-8859
Field Inspections
Inspectors assigned to your area can be contacted via cell phone. Please call the Bureau Veritas office at 817-335-8111/877-837-8775 for your inspector’s name and number.
PERMITS INCLUDE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AND ALL INSPECTIONS.